A scene from “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”.Photo: Kobal/Shutterstock
Percy Jacksonhas found a new home atDisney+!
Ina video announcement on Disney+’s TwitterTuesday, author Rick Riordan revealed that an adaptation of his belovedPercy Jacksonbook series had been greenlit for a television show at the streaming service.
“The wait is over, demigods,” Riordan said in the clip. “I am thrilled to be the first to tell you thatPercy Jackson and the Olympiansis really, truly, and for sure coming to your screens. The smart folks at Disney+ have given us the green light.”
Riordan also shared that James Bobin will be directing the pilot episode. Bobin previously directed 2011’sThe Muppetsand the 2019 live-action film,Dora and the Lost City of Gold.
“James is a terrific person and also an incredibly talented director who recently directed the pilot for Disney+‘sThe Mysterious Benedict Society,” he said. “James knows the Percy Jackson books well — his kids are fans — so we’re in great hands.”
“Thanks to all of you for your excitement about the series,” Riordan finished. “It’s gonna be great.”
Riordan is set to write the series pilot alongside Jon Steinberg, who is best known for producing Starz’sBlack Sails, Disney+ announced ina press release. Riordan, Steinberg and his producing partner Dan Shotz will also serve as three of the executive producers on the project.
The live-action Disney series will be geared towards a tween, teen, and young adult audience and the casting process is currently underway.
Added 20th Television President Karey Burke: “Bringing Rick Riordan’s brilliantPercy Jacksonbooks to Disney+ as a television series has been a mission for so many of us at this company … this will be an adaptation for the ages, with all the excitement, action and mythology fans of the books expect and love.”
RELATED VIDEO: See the Action-Packed Trailer forPercy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
ThePercy Jackson & the Olympiansseries consists of five novels that Riordan wrote from 2005 through 2009. Two of those books were later adapted for the big screen —Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thiefin 2010 andPercy Jackson: Sea of Monstersin 2013.
Riordan and fans of the books have beenvocal about their disapprovalof the adaptations, with the best-selling author previously revealing on Twitter that he refuses to watch the films.
“I still have not seen the movies, and don’t plan on ever doing so. I judge them from having read the scripts, because I care most about the story,” he wrote ina since-deleted tweet. “I certainly have nothing against the very talented actors. Not their fault. I’m just sorry they got dragged into that mess.”
Riordan also claimed that hedonated the moneythat he was paid for the movie rights to charity,adding that"trashy scripts can never end up being great films."
In addition to the movies, the books were also turned into aBroadwaymusical,The Lightning Thief, which closed its curtains in January 2020.
source: people.com
