Percy Jackson author shares devastating reaction films had on his family
Topics: Books, Film and TV
Stefania Sarrubba
Featured Image Credit: 20th Century Fox
Topics: Books, Film and TV
Percy Jackson & The Olympians author Rick Riordan has looked back on the emotional damage the film adaptations caused his family.
The American author's first book was adapted into 2010 movie, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, which was directed by Home Alone's Chris Columbus and starred Logan Lerman in the titular role.
Despite the poor reception, the film saga continued with 2013 follow-up Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, this time with Thor Freudenthal stepping behind the camera.
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Originally, it was intended for the movies to match up Riordan's book series, comprised of five novels.
However, further films were never produced, and as for Riordan, he was only involved as a consultant on the first film and refused to be on board with the second instalment.
With Disney+ having a TV series adaptation of Percy Jackson which is set to debut next year, the novelist opened up on his family's interest in the show.
"My sons are not interested at all," Riordan told a fan on Goodreads.
"They lived through all the pain and disappointment of the movies, so their main concern is for Becky [his wife] and me.
"They don't want this experience to crush us emotionally. They don't quite understand why we did this to ourselves, since we absolutely didn't have to, and they have no interest in the show."
However, Riordan has a role as an executive producer on the show alongside his wife, Rebecca Riordan.
"On the bright side, the process hasn't crushed us yet!" he confirmed.
"The show is looking good, and we've learned a lot. It's not how I envisioned spending my time the last few years, but hopefully it will be worth it if viewers like the show."
Riordan has been vocal in the past about his disappointment surrounding the movies, telling fans in 2020 that he still 'hasn't seen the movies and don't plan on ever doing so'.
He added: "I judge them from having read the scripts because I care most about the story. I certainly have nothing against the very talented actors. Not their fault. I'm just sorry they got dragged into that mess."
Riordan then described the movies as his 'life's work going through a meat grinder' when he 'pleaded' with the studio against making certain changes.
Co-produced by Disney Branded Television, 20th Television and the Gotham Group, Percy Jackson and the Olympians will see Walker Scobell this time in the role of Percy, a 12-year-old accused by god Zeus of stealing his thunderbolt.
In development since 2020, the series also stars Leah Sava Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri as Athena's daughter Annabeth Chase and Percy's best friend and satyr Grover Underwood.
The series also marks Lance Reddick's final TV appearance as the late star plays Zeus.