Percy Jackson and the Olympians has added its latest Olympian to the roster. WWE star Adam Copeland has been cast to play the god of war Ares, alongside a slew of new cast members.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the second adaptation of Rick Riordan's hit series of the same name. The Disney Plus series concerns Percy Jackson (portrayed by Walker Scobell this time around), who discovers that he's the demigod son of Poseidon. He then sets out on an adventure to recover Zeus' missing lightning bolt and save the world. He's accompanied on his trials by demigoddess daughter of Athena Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries) and satyr Grover (Aryan Simhadri). The series had previously received a movie adaptation (and sequel) that starred Logan Lerman as Percy Jackson, but many hope that the Percy Jackson series ends up better than those movies, which are not well-regarded.
As reported by Variety, the aforementioned Copeland has been cast as the Olympian Ares in a recurring guest role. The character is described as “handsome in a wicked way and arrogant, despite not always being the sharpest tool in the shed. He loves conflict and acts as an agent of chaos wherever he goes.” Meanwhile, Suzanne Cryer will portray Echidna, "the Mother of Monsters," in a guest role. Her role is described as “dangerous, intimidating, and strangely maternal. She enjoys her task of challenging heroes and will test Percy’s faith in the gods.”
Lastly, Jessica Parker Kennedy will be portraying the gorgon Medusa. “Wronged by the gods and bitter. Medusa lives in isolation until travelers stumble on her emporium. She is welcoming to some and a threat to others,” reads her character description. The first Percy Jackson details about these characters seem to be loyal to the source material (both in Greek mythology and in Riordan's novels). Their roles in Greek mythology are perfectly represented by their castings, and there's little doubt that they'll be faithfully brought to life on screen.
The production crew has been teasing fans with little details to keep them hyped and interested. The first Percy Jackson series cast photo, for instance, appears to be a simple shot of Jeffries, Scobell, and Simhadri as themselves. However, eagle-eyed fans immediately spotted that Simhadri's hair was concealing horns, reflecting his role as a satyr. Fans have so far appeared to be incredibly optimistic about the project.
There have been some hiccups, however. Jeffries' casting has unfortunately resulted in racial vitriol being spewed her way. Despite Alexandra Daddario (who portrayed Annabeth in the films) and Riordan himself defending the casting, Jeffries was still attacked for no reason other than the color of her skin. But it's clear that this Percy Jackson series is casting based on acting ability, and what has been released suggests a faithful, fun adaptation of a beloved book series.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is scheduled to premeire on Disney Plus in 2024.
Source: Variety