Died in March 2023, Lance Reddick made one of his last television appearances with the first season of Percy Jackson on Disney+. While his role is crucial in the continuation of the adventures of the main character, Zeus will change his face for the next burst of episodes. The narration could not do without the divine figure, who appeared for the last episode of season 1 and is central to the rest of the story.
After having cultivated the mystery as to the identity of the one who would be invited to take up the torch, Variety reports that Courtney B. Vance was given this responsibility. Actor known for his roles in The Hunt for Red October and Law & Order is a regular on the small screen and will have no trouble finding his place among the many actors already invited to take part in this adventure. In a press release, relayed by Varietyhe spoke of this arrival and wanted to pay tribute to his predecessor.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to join the show’s extraordinary cast. There are few moments in an actor's career when you can honestly say that you are about to board a series that has a devoted fan base, made up of beloved characters in the around the world and which is inspired by best-selling books. I know playing Zeus will be a memorable experience, and I will give a divine hug to my brother, Lance Reddick, who left us far too soon.”
Author Rick Riordan, involved in the production, is also delighted with this collaboration. “We are very happy and fortunate to have Courtney B. Vance among us as King of Olympus. It’s truly a gift from the gods!” One of the showrunners, Dan Shotz, adds that finding a replacement for Lance Reddick was not easy. “The day we lost Lance, we lost an icon. Finding someone to take on this role wasn't easy, but when Courtney B. Vance answered the call, we knew the gods were listening. This cinema legend not only wanted to honor the books, he also wanted to pay homage to Lance's legacy. We can’t wait for you to see him ascend the throne”.
Season 2 is on the way!
After a first season acclaimed by readers and neophytes alike, the series promises to return to the forefront in 2025. The screenwriters will have to take control of the narrative elements of the second novel. New characters will appear. During San Diego Comic Con, Disney+ lifted the veil on the identity of the person who will play Tyson, Percy Jackson's cyclops half-brother. One of the protagonists most appreciated by readers will therefore be embodied by Daniel Diemer. Moreover, we can find Walker Scobell, Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri in the roles of Percy, Annabeth and Grover.
If the first adaptation by the director ofHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and with Logan Lerman in the lead role not convincing, Disney+ finally seems to have found the recipe for a good adaptation. The author's participation is undoubtedly not unrelated to this success, let's hope that things continue in this vein as the story progresses. After all, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has the potential to become a hit on the streaming platform, to establish itself as the reference series for young viewers.
???? To not miss any news on the Journal du Geek, subscribe on Google News. And if you love us, we have a newsletter every morning.
