Disney+ has found its new demigod, and they found him on another streaming site. After playing the young version of Ryan Reynolds in Netflix’s time-traveling thriller The Adam Project, Walker Scobell will follow in the footsteps of ancient Greek Gods. Yes, Disney+’s Percy Jackson series has cast its first lead. Scobell will star as the hero of Disney+’s new series adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Forget playing a preteen version of a Hollywood A-lister. Walker Scobell is going to play the son of Poseidon, god of the seas. And at 13, Scobell’s casting as Percy Jackon means he will be much closer to the age of the 12-year-old Percy Jackson in the books. That’s a big change from the previous adaptation of author Rick Riordan’s best-selling book series. Logan Lerman played the titular character in the Percy Jackson movies when Lerman was old enough to fill out college applications. Scobell will still face the same problems all iterations of Percy Jackson must overcome, though. He’ll need to accept his powers after Zeus accuses Percy of stealing his lightning bolt. That charge (pun definitely intended!) sends Percy on a cross-country journey that brings him into contact with other figures of Greek mythology.
For those new to the story, here’s how Disney+ describes its newly cast main character, Percy Jackson:
Percy Jackson is a smart and compassionate kid with a sharp sense of humor. He’s always seen himself as an outsider, in no small part because of how the world sees his ADHD and dyslexia. He’s impulsive and rambunctious and is quick to anger when things seem unfair to him. But beneath his cynicism is an affectionate son and loyal friend who just wants to do right by those he cares about. If only he could find a place where he fits in.
Riordan and Jon Steinberg wrote the pilot. Steinberg will also oversee the series with his producing partner Dan Shotz. Disney says the series will begin production this summer, so it’s a good thing they finally have their Percy. Without him, the show would just be The Olympians, and we already know their story. We hope we hear more casting news from Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series very soon.
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