Highly anticipated by casual fans and veteran Tumblr users alike, Rick Riordan’s renowned modern mythology book series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” will air as a live-action show adaptation Dec. 20 on Disney+, welcoming Riordan himself to the creative directing team.
Since the first two live-action “Percy Jackson” movies in the 2010s disappointed fans for blatantly diverging from the novels due to creative decisions independent of Riordan, the show’s involvement with the author promises an adaptation that is just as electrifying as the original books.
The fantasy series follows twelve-year-old demigod Percy Jackson as he and his friends fend off gods and mythical enemies. Its contemporary take on Greek mythology, combined with witty writing and lovable characters, established the franchise as today’s most iconic fictional universes.
However, the original films diverged so heavily from the source material that the movies had lost the books’ juvenile charm and relatability, which hallmarked the series. The films also did not seek approval from Riordan for their screenplays, explaining their contrast from the novels. When adapting any book series into live-action, it’s equally as important to capture the source material’s essence as it is to take creative liberties.
Riordan’s choice to go against his canon descriptions of the protagonists with diverse casting stirred controversy in particular. The role of Annabeth, who is depicted as white in the books, received backlash online when it was confirmed she would be played by Leah Jeffries, a Black actress.
While Percy and Grover’s choice of actors were also questioned for not resembling their book counterparts, Annabeth’s portrayal was criticized heavily as Jeffries didn’t fit the white and blonde stereotype that identified the character.
In defense of Jeffries, Riordan wrote on his website, “‘Percy Jackson’ has always been [about] ‘difference is strength.’ You should never judge someone by how well they fit your preconceived notions.”
Annabeth’s physical appearance undoubtedly is one of but at the end of the day, it factors little into her actual character. Especially because Riordan hand-picked the cast, fans must realize that a character’s adaptation is about their true nature rather than their looks and trust both in Riordan’s choice and Jeffries’s portrayal.
Though only one teaser has been released for the show, Riordan’s presence on the production team guarantees an exhilarating watch true to the beloved books. Despite superficial differences in casting, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is sure to be an authentic retelling with all the original charm of the novels.
