The Series Fans Call a 'Perfect Harry Potter Replacement' is Now on Disney+
Whether you're bored with the HP universe or just can't put up with JK Rowling any more, there's a new magic world to get obsessed with.
Summary
- Disney+ has released the first season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- The show is based on a popular series of children's books
- Movie adaptations of The Olympians have stumbled in the past, but the new series is off to a very promising start.
The Percy Jackson series has finally arrived! After many months of waiting and heated online debate, it will be available to all Disney+ subscribers today, December 20th, at 03:00 AM ET and - 12:00 AM PT. But is this new take on the old story really worth the hype? Can it be the perfect Harry Potter replacement? Let's find out.
It Started With A Book
Like a certain series about a boy wizard, the Percy Jackson story started on the page. Author Rick Riordan was telling bedtime stories about Greek mythology to his son, and when he ran out of the classical material he began to make up some new tales.
In the first book, The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson discovers that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. Sent to Camp Halfblood, Percy meets the children of other gods and comes under suspicion of theft when the lighting bolt of Zeus is stolen. Percy and his friends go on a quest to clear his name, and discover a much bigger plot is afoot.
The Lightning Thief is meant for kids 10+, but it was instantly popular. Many teens grew up along with the series, and even those who have theoretically aged out of them lined up to buy copies when The Last Olympian dropped in 2023.
It Became a Phenomenon
There are six books in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, as well as graphic novel adaptations and four supplementary books. In 2010, director Chris Columbus helmed a big-budget movie adaptation of The Lightning Thief, which received lukewarm reviews but did decently well at the box office.
Although Riordan was fairly public about the fact that he disliked the film adaptation, it didn't stop Hollywood from following it up with a second movie in 2013. Sea of Monsters made half as much as its predecessor at the box office, got lackluster reviews, and was disliked by fans.
Plans for a 5-movie series petered out, and that was the end of Percy Jackson on our screens.
Until Now…
But now Disney+ has taken up the Percy Jackson mantle, and so far it seems like a vast improvement. The series has racked up a stunning 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critics consensus that calls it:
'A faithful adaptation of Rick Riordan's novels… a lovingly realized odyssey through adolescence and myth'.
Critics are praising the show's adherence to the books (something the movies definitely lacked), the talented and diverse young cast, and the excellent visuals.
Adult fans seem to be enjoying the show for the nostalgia, while younger viewers who are being introduced to Percy Jackson for the first time are responding to the unique story.
TV is the Perfect Medium
The books are broken down into fun, easily digestible chapters with a sort of mini-adventure in each. That makes the story perfect for television, where each episode can feel like a standalone adventure while still moving the overarching story forward.
Showrunners Dan Shotz and Jon Steinberg (Black Sails) told Inverse that they feel this could be the start of a whole universe.
'I think it's a great big story, and the canvas just keeps getting bigger and bigger,' Steinberg said in an interview this December. The showrunners also mention working with Riordan for four years to get the feeling of the show just right.
How Long Could It Last?
If the quality keeps up, we could be seeing Percy Jackson on our screens for a long, long time. The Olympians has really branched out since its earliest days, and Riordan's books cover a lot of territory. That includes books not centered on Percy Jackson, such as The Sun and Star, which features fan favorite Nico di Angelo and his boyfriend Will.
Source: Inverse.