Percy Jackson is returning to the screen in a new series on Disney+, the original author has confirmed.
Rick Riordan's best-selling novels have been adapted for the big screen before: Logan Lerman starred as the titular hero in Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, based on the first book in the pentalogy; and he returned in 2013 for Sea of Monsters. While not critical smash-hits and dismissed by some fans, the movies grossed more than $200 million worldwide.
In 2020, Riordan finally responded to rumours about a Disney+ series, saying he and his wife Becky were 'very excited about the idea of a live-action series of the highest quality'.
Advert
Now, we've got official confirmation.
In a video shared on the Disney+ YouTube channel, Riordan announced the series has officially been picked up by the streaming platform. 'The wait is over, demigods,' he said.
'I am thrilled to be the first to tell you that Percy Jackson and the Olympians is really, truly, and for sure coming to your screens. The smart folks at Disney+ has given us the greenlight.'
Advert
James Bobin, who directed the pilot for Disney+’s The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Muppets will also helm the first episode, with Riordan writing the pilot with Jon Steinberg, as well as serving as an executive producer. It's believed the show will follow the original storyline of the five-book series, starting with The Lightning Thief in season one, before moving onto The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian.
'With Rick Riordan, Jon Steinberg and Dan Shotz leading our creative team, we’re deep into creating a compelling TV series worthy of the heroic mythological characters that millions of Percy Jackson readers know are well-worth caring about,' Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded TV, told The Hollywood Reporter.
'We’re eager to invite Disney+ audiences into stories that are true to the blockbuster franchise and full of anticipation, humour, surprise, and mystery.'
Advert
'Bringing Rick Riordan’s brilliant Percy Jackson books to Disney+ as a television series has been a mission for so many of us at this company as well as for Rick himself, and Jon, Dan, James and the excellent team they have assembled have proven to be the perfect collaborators,' Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, added.
'Thanks to our friends at Disney Branded Television led by Ayo, and Disney Streaming led by Michael [Paull], this will be an adaptation for the ages, with all the excitement, action and mythology fans of the books expect and love.'
There's currently no release date for Percy Jackson and the Olympians, nor are there any casting details.
Featured Image Credit: PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/AA Film Archive/Alamy
Advert
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Topics: Disney Plus, Entertainment, Film and TV