Percy Jackson and the Olympians: A new chapter unveiled at Comic-Con

A magical transformation in Hall H

San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H was transformed into the mythical Camp Half-Blood during the highly anticipated Percy Jackson and the Olympians panel. The event was a treat for fans, featuring cast members Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Virginia Kull, Adam Copeland, and co-showrunners Dan Shotz and Jonathan E. Steinberg. The panel was moderated by Jay Duplass, who portrays Hades in the series.

A special message from Rick Riordan

Although Rick Riordan, the author of the beloved young adult novels, couldn’t attend in person, he sent a heartfelt video message. Riordan announced that Daniel Diemer would join the cast as Tyson, Percy’s half-brother and a cyclops, in the upcoming second season. “As some of you may know, in ‘Sea of Monsters’ we meet an important new character. He’s shy, awkward, and endearing,” Riordan shared, highlighting Diemer’s enthusiasm and talent.

Introducing Tyson

Tyson is a pivotal character in Riordan’s novel Sea of Monsters, which serves as the foundation for Season 2. Diemer, known for his roles in Under the Bridge, The Midnight Club, and The Man in the High Castle, brings a new dimension to the character. Standing at 6’4″, Diemer’s towering presence adds to the dynamic between Tyson and Percy.

“Thank you so much, Rick, for the warm welcome,” Diemer expressed in his video message to the Hall H audience. “I’m thrilled and honored to step into the universe of Percy Jackson. I’ve been a fan of the books since I was 10 years old. I can’t wait to bring Tyson to life and introduce him to you all.”

Reflecting on Season 1

The panel kicked off with a sizzle reel, setting the stage for the young stars Scobell, Jeffries, and Simhadri to reminisce about their favorite moments from filming Season 1. Scobell shared a humorous anecdote about pranking Duplass with firecrackers, while Simhadri joked about his difficulty in shedding the satyr walk of his character, Grover, even at home.

Steinberg teased that Season 2 would be “very wet” and hinted at new friendships forming. Jeffries expressed her dedication to her role as Annabeth, stating, “I wanted to make sure I played Annabeth so well that you wouldn’t know I’m not Annabeth when we say cut.”

The journey so far

Percy Jackson and the Olympians debuted on Disney+ on December 19, 2023, and concluded its eight-episode first season on January 30, 2024. The series brought Riordan’s popular book series to life, co-created by Riordan and Steinberg. Walker Scobell stars as Percy Jackson, a young demigod and son of Poseidon, who embarks on a cross-country adventure with his friends Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) and Grover (Aryan Simhadri) to find Zeus’ missing thunderbolt and restore order to Olympus.

A star-studded cast

The series features a stellar cast of Greek gods and mythical creatures. Jason Mantzoukas plays Dionysus, the god of wine and head counselor at Camp Half-Blood; Adam Copeland portrays Ares, the rugged god of war; Lin-Manuel Miranda takes on the role of Hermes, the messenger god; Jay Duplass embodies Hades, the god of the underworld; Toby Stephens is Poseidon, Percy’s estranged father; and the late Lance Reddick stars as Zeus, the king of Olympus. Other notable cast members include Virginia Kull as Percy’s mom, Megan Mullally as Alecto, Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue, and Charlie Bushnell as Luke Castellan.

Looking ahead

As fans eagerly await the second season, the excitement surrounding Percy Jackson and the Olympians continues to grow. The series has successfully captured the essence of Riordan’s novels, bringing the magical world of Greek mythology to life on screen. With new characters, thrilling adventures, and the promise of even greater performances, the journey of Percy Jackson is far from over.

For those who want to dive deeper into the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, check out the trailer and stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming season.