Ever since the wonderful news that Disney+ is picking up a live-action Percy Jackson and the Olympians adaptation with writer Rick Riordan overseeing, fans have been having a ball. Many scattered onto social media to rejoice with other fans, some reread the best-selling books, and others speculated on what this could mean for the new generation. I did all three.
As I reread the first book, The Lightning Thief, I got a rush of memories from when I first read it. Percy and I were both 12 at the time, but we couldn’t be more different. While I was using paper planes to goof off in class, he was using his demigod powers to fight monsters. Still, I always related to him and the other characters because we felt the same feelings and cared about the same things. I want the new series to give the new generation that type of comradery too, and I want it with these actors.
You can check out our fancast for Percy Jackson from a few years back. But now that it’s official, it’s time for a new one.
Here’s my fancast!
Jacob Tremblay as Percy Jackson – I personally thought Logan Lerman was perfect casting for Percy, but he and the other leads were too old, and this added a maturity that we wouldn’t get until Heroes of Olympus. Tremblay made his debut in 2013’s Best Picture Nominee Room. He won multiple awards for his work and hasn’t stopped since. He’s 13 years-old (Percy starts off at age 12) and has a boyish charm about him. Percy is characterized with dark hair and sea green eyes, but just give Tremblay some hair dye and contacts, and he’ll be perfect.
Elle McKinnon as Annabeth Chase – While McKinnon doesn’t have as many projects under her belt as Tremblay, she’s very promising. The two starred alongside each other in the 2017 award-winning independent film Wonder.
Caleb McLaughlin as Grover – McLaughlin is mostly known for his role as Lucas in Stranger Things, but he’s appeared in a few things whilst being on the show. Watching him as Lucas, I think he can easily pull off the nervous yet steadfast energy Grover has. I also thought Brandon T. Jackson was perfect casting, but too old. Grover is actually written to be 28, but because he’s a satyr, his body matures slowly. He has acne and facial hair; that sounds like 18 to me. Also, if McLaughlin grows out his hair into an afro, it can be the perfect spot to hide Grover’s cute, little satyr horns.
Jack Moore as Luke Castellan – I wanted Moore to play Percy at first simply for how he looks, but he’s too old and mature to play Percy when we first meet him. Moore is best known for playing Oliver Queen’s son, William, on Arrow. He started the role when he was only 12; it’s been interesting watching him more or less go through puberty on screen. He’s definitely got the forgotten-son rage down, and that’s what Luke embodies.
Thomas Barbusca as Nico di Angelo – Barbusca is known for his work on the sitcom The Mick. Like Nico, he is of Italian descent; however, the character is gay. Barbusca hasn’t commented on his sexuality, which is understandable because it’s a personal matter. Nico doesn’t come out as gay until Heroes of Olympus, but I don’t want the casting to erase this part of his character. Hopefully, the casting process keeps that in mind, but Barbusca also has other qualities that match the character.
Olivia Rodrigo as Bianca di Angelo – Rodrigo is known for her work in Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. She too is how I imagine Bianca to look, and bonus: she is of Italian descent.
Kyleigh Curran as Rachel Elizabeth Dare – Curran is known for her work in 2019’s Doctor Sleep and The Lion King on Broadway. Rachel is nicknamed “Red” for her initials and hair color, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be Black rocking red hair. Hopefully, I get to see that.
Dev Patel as Chiron – Patel is best known for his work in leading roles in Lion and Slumdog Millionaire. His upcoming The Green Knight sees him become medieval hero. There’s something about Patel that makes me want to follow any advice he has to give me but also be slightly annoyed that he seems to have everything figured out. That’s Chiron.
Logan Lerman as Poseidon – Speaking of how perfect Logan Lerman was, why not make him Poseidon? He’s 28 years-old, sporting a beard, and prematurely graying. I might be reaching, but the man looks like a god who just wants to go fishing. We know he can play the part perfectly. Also, he’s shown enthusiasm for the show and it will be a nice nod to his work in the original films.
Adam Rodriguez as Zeus – Rodriguez is best known for his work in CSI: Miami, but he has also starred in films like Magic Mike. Not only is he a good actor, but he has a powerful physique and stupid good looks. If he turned into a swan, he’d still be handsome.
Mahesh Jadu as Hades – Jadu is known for his work in Netflix’s The Witcher and Marco Polo. Like Rodriguez, he gives off an aura of power, but his is sly and quiet.
Danny DeVito as Dionysus/Mr. D – Yes, a part of this decision was made because of his voice acting in Disney’s Hercules, but it’s still the right decision.
Jon Bernthal as Ares – In just about all of the fancasts I’ve seen proposed, Bernthal is always Ares. It makes sense; we’ve seen him be incredibly violent in Netflix’s Daredevil and The Punisher, so he should have no trouble playing such an aggressive god.
Aisha Tyler as Athena – Tyler has too many projects to list, but she’s known for her work in Criminal Minds and Archer. It might seem odd for Athena to be Black and Annabeth to be white, but gods and goddesses can change their appearance at will. Regardless, I think Tyler is perfect for Athena because even though she is a comedian, she seems like a no-nonsense type of woman. And, sometimes Athena is funny when she’s all sassy.
That’s it.
What do you think? Who do you want to have a role in the series? Keep in mind, in the world of Percy Jackson, anything is possible!
