Percy Jackson’s Rick Riordan Praises Annabeth Casting in Disney+ Series

The main trio of children forged in the upcoming Disney+ authentic collection Percy Jackson and the Olympians have largely been met with celebration, as Walker Scobell (The Adam Project) signed on as Percy alongside Aryan Simhadri (Spin) as Grover and Leah Sava Jeffries (Empire) as Annabeth within the reboot of the movie franchise. However, a loud minority of followers have voiced their displeasure on the Annabeth casting, prompting a swift response from Percy Jackson writer Rick Riordan: “Friends, that is racism.”

In a statement released on his website he expressed, “The response to the casting of Leah has been overwhelmingly positive and joyous, as it should be. Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeth’s strength. She will be a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind of hero they want to be. If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. You have no one else to blame. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. As strong as Leah is, as much as we have discussed the potential for this kind of reaction and the intense pressure this role will bring, the negative comments she has received online are out of line. They need to stop. Now.”

Riordan went on to elucidate that whereas the character was described as white within the books, he stood by the open casting mandate from Disney to search out the fitting actor for the position. “I have been clear, as the author, that I was looking for the best actors to inhabit and bring to life the personalities of these characters, and that physical appearance was secondary for me. We did that. We took a year to do this process thoroughly and find the best of the best. This trio is the best. Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase.”

The new collection is ready to start manufacturing in Vancouver this 12 months; it’s primarily based on Riordan’s best-selling ebook collection from Disney Hyperion. Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows 12-year-old fashionable demigod Percy Jackson, who’s recently come to phrases together with his powers when Zeus accuses him of stealing his grasp lightning bolt. His associates Grover and Annabeth know he didn’t, they usually embark on an incredible journey to search out it and convey it again to Olympus to restore order.

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