The signing of the young African-American actress Leah Jeffries for one of the main roles of Percy Jackson and the Olympians exemplifies how this upcoming Disney Plus television series is committed to inclusion and diversity, even if this means taking some creative license with respect to the original material.
The role given to Leah Jeffries was that of Annabeth Chasewho in the original novels Percy JacksonIn addition to being the friend of the titular character, she is the daughter of the goddess Athena and is described as a white girl with blonde hair.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weeklythe actor Beast (2022) reflected on the advantages of interpreting a version of the character very different from that of the literary series written by Rick Riordan. In addition, she stated that filming the upcoming television show meant a “phenomenal and incredible” experience for her.
“I’m playing a character who is a different person. [a la de los libros]. Different hair color, different skin tone and all that. That was the prototype. Just knowing that he was going to play her differently was like, ‘Wow, now I’m going to be an inspiration to other girls.’”Jeffries commented.
Years ago, Annabeth Chase was played by a twenty-something Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus) in the film adaptation Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and its sequel Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, directed respectively by Chris Columbus and Thor Freudenthal. Both films, released between 2010 and 2013, received very negative reviews, and even Riordan never hid his dissatisfaction with the way in which they altered the story of his novels.
In the case of the television show Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the author boasts screenwriter and executive producer credit. Therefore, one would expect a more faithful adaptation to the essence of the books, regardless of those modifications in pursuit of greater representativeness.
“[La nueva serie televisiva] It is inclusive enough so that everyone can be a hero,” Riordan declared in an interview with E.W. (via). “After all, that’s why I wrote the book in the first place. My son, because of his learning differences, felt like a stranger and this was my way of telling him: ‘It’s okay. Being different is a strength. You will be fine. And you belong to this world.’”
Percy Jackson and the Olympians will premiere on December 20, 2023 via Disney Plus. come in HERE to know more details about the production.
Antonio G. Spindola I have very bad memory. Out of solidarity with my memories, I choose to get lost too. Preferably, in a movie theater.