Percy Jackson Showrunner Talks Recasting Lance Reddick’s Zeus in Season 2

Summary

• The executive producer of
  Percy Jackson and The Olympians
  has discussed recasting the role of Zeus following the death of Lance Reddick.
• The showrunner expresses gratitude for Reddick’s contribution to the show and acknowledges the challenge that awaits whoever steps into his shoes.
• Tributes to Reddick have been pouring in, including a recent award presented to Keanu Reeves in honor of the late actor.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians executive producer and showrunner Jon Steinberg was asked recently about the possible recasting of Zeus in the series following the untimely death of Lance Reddick. Appearing at the official TCA panel for Percy Jackson and The Olympians (via Screen Rant), Steinberg revealed that there isn’t anybody “there yet” regarding a potential recast, admitting that they are still in denial that Reddick is really gone.

“I don’t think anybody’s there yet. There’s also just a little bit of denial, I think. That’s something that we’re gonna have to deal with. But we’re incredibly grateful for this character that he helped build and the presence that he created. I do not envy whoever has to step into his shoes.”

Reddick sadly passed away from heart disease on March 17, 2023, aged 60. The actor, who is best known for his roles in The Wire and the John Wick franchise, features in the first series of Percy Jackson and the Olympians as the Greek god, Zeus.

Praising Reddick and the presence he brought to the role, it sounds like Steinberg and the creative team behind the Disney+ have not even considered applicants for recasting yet, with the showrunner saying that, whoever gets the job, will have a difficult time stepping into Reddick’s “shoes.” No doubt fans of the actor and the show would agree.

Since his passing, the tributes to Lance Reddick have poured in, with his John Wick co-star Keanu Reeves recently receiving the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award at the Saturn Awards.

Related Keanu Reeves Reveals He Sent a Letter to Lance Reddick Thanking Him for John Wick’s Popularity “People love John Wick because Charon loves John Wick,” Keanu Reeves said to Lance Reddick in a letter he sent to the late actor.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Has Been Renewed for Season 2 on Disney+

The first season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is based on Disney Hyperion’s best-selling book series by award-winning author Rick Riordan. The Disney+ Original series tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson, who’s just coming to terms with his newfound divine powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. With help from his friends Grover and Annabeth, Percy must embark on an adventure of a lifetime to find it and restore order to Olympus.

The lead trio of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is comprised of Walker Scobell (The Adam Project) as Perseus “Percy” Jackson, Leah Sava Jeffries (Beast) as Annabeth Chase, a daughter of Athena, and Aryan Simhadri (Adventures in Wonder Park) as Grover Underwood, Percy’s best friend and a satyr who is disguised as a 12-year-old boy.

The rest of the cast includes Virginia Kull (The Empty Man), Glynn Turman (The Wire), Jason Mantzoukas (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Megan Mullally (Will & Grace), Timm Sharp (Enlightened), Dior Goodjohn (Are You Afraid of the Dark?), Charlie Bushnell (Diary of a Future President), Adam Copeland (Vikings), Lin-Manuel Miranda (His Dark Materials), Jay Duplass (The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial), and Timothy Omundson (Psych), with Toby Stephens (Die Another Day) starring as Poseidon alongside the late Lance Reddick (John Wick) as Zeus.

Percy Jackson and the Olympianshas now been renewed for season 2, with Rick Riordan revealing that it will be based on The Sea of Monsters.

“I can’t wait to bring the next season of Percy Jackson to Disney+! Raise anchors. Hoist the mainsail. All hands on deck, demigods. We’re heading for the Sea of Monsters!”

The first season of
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
is now available to stream on Disney+.

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