Disney+ renews Percy Jackson and the Olympians for season 2
The fantasy series based on Rick Riordan’s best-selling books will continue the adventures of the modern demigod Percy Jackson and his friends.
Disney+ has officially renewed Percy Jackson and the Olympians for a second season, following the positive reception of the first season that premiered on December 20, 2023. The announcement was made by Disney CEO Bob Iger during the company’s Q1 2024 earnings call, confirming the fans’ hopes for more episodes of the adaptation.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians stars Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Along with his friends Annabeth Chase (Leah Jeffries) and Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri), he goes on quests to stop the evil plans of the Titan Kronos and his army of monsters, while also dealing with the challenges of being a half-blood in a world that doesn’t understand him.
The first season of the show was based on the first book in the series, The Lightning Thief, which followed Percy’s journey to recover Zeus’ (Lance Reddick) stolen master bolt and prevent a war between the gods. The second season will adapt the second book, The Sea of Monsters, which introduces new characters and expands the world of the Greek mythology. The show is expected to have five seasons in total, each covering one book in the original series.
The show is co-written by Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg, who also serve as executive producers along with Rebecca Riordan, James Bobin, and others. Riordan, who was not happy with the previous film adaptations of his books, has been involved in the creative process of the show since its inception, ensuring its fidelity to the source material and the fans’ expectations. He also shared updates on the show’s development on his blog and social media, expressing his excitement and gratitude for the project.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians has received critical acclaim and audience praise for its faithful adaptation, engaging story, diverse cast, and impressive visual effects. The show has also attracted new fans to the books, which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide and spawned several spin-off series. The show is considered one of the best original series on Disney+, along with The Mandalorian, WandaVision, and Loki.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Who will play the gods in future seasons?
The Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians has been renewed for a second season, following the success of its adaptation of the first book in Rick Riordan’s popular fantasy series, The Lightning Thief. The show follows the adventures of 12-year-old Percy Jackson, a demigod who is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Along with his friends Annabeth and Grover, he goes on quests to stop the evil plans of the Titan Kronos and his army of monsters.
One of the highlights of the show is the casting of the Greek gods, who are portrayed by various guest stars, some of whom are well-known actors and celebrities. For example, Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Hermes, the god of messengers and thieves, while Adam Copeland, a professional wrestler, plays Ares, the god of war. The show also features Lance Reddick as Zeus, the king of the gods, who makes his first appearance in the season finale.
However, the show faces a challenge in recasting Zeus for season 2, as Lance Reddick passed away in March 2023, before the show premiered. The executive producer of the show, Jon Steinberg, admitted that the creative team is not ready to recast the role yet, and expressed his gratitude for Reddick’s work in creating the character. He said, “We’re incredibly grateful for this character that he helped build and the presence that he created. I do not envy whoever has to step into his shoes.”
Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians will adapt the second book in the series, The Sea of Monsters, which introduces new characters and expands the world of the Greek mythology. One of the most important characters to expect in season 2 is Tyson, Percy’s half-brother, who is also a Cyclops. Steinberg hinted that Tyson will receive more depth and attention in the show, potentially exploring his relationship with Percy and Poseidon. He said, “He’s a really important character, and he’s a really important character to Percy. And he’s a really important character to Poseidon. And I think that’s something that we’re really excited to dive into.”
The ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ cast reveal their dream fancast
Another question that fans have is who will play the other gods and Titans that appear in the later books, such as Apollo, Hades, and Atlas. The show has already revealed some of its dream fancasts for these roles, based on the preferences of the lead actors. Walker Scobell, who plays Percy Jackson, and Aryan Simhadri, who plays Grover Underwood, said that they want Christopher Judge, who plays Kratos in the video game God of War, to play Atlas, the Titan who holds up the sky. They said, “He’s the perfect Atlas. He has that Titan energy.” Scobell also suggested that Sam Claflin, who played Finnick in The Hunger Games, would be a cool Apollo, the god of the sun and music.
Of course, these are just fan casts, and the show has not confirmed any official casting news for the future seasons. However, it is clear that the show is committed to staying faithful to the books and delivering a satisfying adaptation for the fans. As Steinberg said, “We’re just trying to make the best show possible and honor the books and honor the fans and honor Rick. And that’s really our guiding principle.”
Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1 is now streaming on Disney+. Season 2 is expected to premiere in late 2024 or early 2025.
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