Percy Jackson made his movie debut battling the Lightning Thief in 2010 and laying the groundwork for another fantasy franchise to match Harry Potter. With Logan Lerman (Hunters) in the title role, this first foray was directed by Chris Colombus and made just enough noise to warrant a sequel in 2013, when Percy came back to face Sea Monsters. Since then, things have been very quiet on the adaptation front for this eponymous hero until now with the arrival of a new dawn for Rick Riordan and his evergreen creation. In the hands of Disney+ this limited series has Walker Scobell (The Adam Project) taking up the mantle and facing off against Greek gods, as another generation gets to experience Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Co-created by author Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg (The Old Man), this young adult fantasy establishes the rules early on by introducing Percy as an outcast amongst his own classmates. A playful opening episode embraces fantasy elements by blurring realities, challenging audience expectations, and giving Scobell ample opportunity to make this role his own. With adult themes and darker moments than some might be prepared for in this opener, tone and mood are effortlessly manipulated, while care is taken not to terrify audiences too much.
With a supporting cast including Lance Reddick (The John Wick Franchise), Toby Stephens (Alex Rider), and Jason Mantzoukas (Invincible) this series has certainly attracted a solid ensemble cast. Amongst the principal players, Aryan Simhadri deserves a mention (Grover Underwood) as does Leah Jefferies (Annabeth Chase), who proves pivotal to the success of this show. Beyond that, there is also an undeniable sense of breadth to the world which feels fully realised and comes with its own distinctive pulse.
As with all the best coming of age tales, Percy Jackson and the Olympians finds heroism in isolation, fortitude in abandonment, and boundless bravery from emotional extremes. Just as Harry Potter was raised by abusive relatives, so it is that Percy must deal with a low rent stepfather and brutalised mother. Only by having that survival instinct embedded into his upbringing can Percy discover the strength necessary to break free and overcome the hardships. This is the universal truth that sits at its centre, making this hero instantly relatable to younger audiences worldwide, and gives Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg the latitude to push those creative boundaries further in building their universe.
This is where the Disney+ series really shines, since these creators have the luxury of long form to take their time forging friendships, aligning adversaries, and exploring elements of Greek myth that would feel condensed under other circumstances. Not only ensuring that Percy Jackson and the Olympians feels like a fully formed franchise from the get-go, but that this reinvention has a certain amount of longevity built-in for any eagerly anticipated sequels.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians will be available on Disney+ from 20 December.