'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Auditions and How the Cast Landed Their Roles

[@aruscared]

Honestly, the Leah issues were so awful. Especially given most people were full-grown adults bullying a child. It's like people forgot that Rick created this series so any kids could see themselves as the heroes. And the movie/show adaption simply ISN'T the books. Annabeth can still be blonde and Percy dark-haired in the novels. The books came out fifteen years ago, Rick wanted to adapt and change the story to fit with the times. What matters if the characters are true to their spirit.

[@Amatureb]

Ikr, and Leah does such an amazing job as Annabeth.

[@Demigod_daughterofposeidon]

Right? Like LEAH IS THE BEST AND PERFECT ANNABETH. She is exactly like her and tbh she’s kind shot in the first few episodes lol. But I did feel that maybe they could’ve added maybe blonde highlights to her hair or make her hair lighter idk? I’m fine with her being black…it’s amazing 🤩

[@evieisleng]

fr!! like...dont u guys have bills to pay instead of being racist to a child!!??

[@zoegriesttv]

You said this so perfectly.

[@akiraasmr3002]

Its funny because people who hated Leah being Annabeth like to say that they are not racist but are the first ones to complain about so called "forced diversity" like that is a bad thing when most of the famous actors in the past have mostly been white. These are the same type of people who complain about a movie for being too "woke" but don't have any valid criticisms of a movie or show. And most of the things people say are "woke" are tenuous at best.

[@CRIM3SC3N3]

adults bullying leah for being the new annabeth is like people wondering why kids don’t dress and act the same as they did back in the 80s 🤦‍♀️

[@brainbow1]

fr its different in 2024 now

[@Leo-qm3hj]

I am so in love with this show, the casting is so perfect with the way they portrait the characters 😩 also I just cant help but notice how fucking amazing Leahs outfits and styling are through the entire press tour omg

[@tatum635]

my eye twitched every time she said "lighting" instead of "lightning". lol

[@carolinegraceh]

SAME OMGOSH

[@ThatDemidork]

EXACTLY IT HURT ON THE INSIDE

[@The_loraaxx]

Ikkk

[@bean_on_pawz]

Sameee

[@Delulubooklover]

As long as the actors have the same energy as the characters and actually want to play them we should be happy and I will never understand why so many people have an issue with any of the casting.

[@lexiewilliams5382]

6:01 idk if they understand but this was a joke, he was being sarcastic

[@dew__drops7844]

Yeah lmao 😭😭

[@elisinspace]

LMAOO RIGHT 😭

[@nevi5957]

I was screaming at the screen. They made him sound so rude because it’s definitely not the way he said it

[@Rachel_Elizabeth_Dareakaoracle]

​@@nevi5957 Exactly!

[@animalfinatic9366]

fr

[@elizabethgalicia6069]

Ah yes The *Lighting* Thief my fave book

[@danoobking901]

Agreed

[@bluebird0727]

And Rick reerden my favorite author

[@DAlimefroggy]

ya i luv the lighting thief but i wonder what the lightning thief is

[@ANNASLAYSFORLIFE]

REALLL

[@Taigatulip]

That’s a good book but I prefer to see of Munsters

[@Holly_756]

HELP 'THE PREVIOUS DISAPPOINTMENT WHICH WAS THE MOVIES' 💀

[@KZ_1989]

Ummmm they weren’t disappointments that were a bit different from the book but I loved them 💀💙🩵

[@Artsonist16]

Hell nah...​@DiCaprioFanTaylors_Version

[@KZ_1989]

@@Artsonist16 whatever you say 🥸

[@Juliana-jd4qw]

I memorized the whole movie

[@The_loraaxx]

​@@KZ_1989NOOOOO

[@ejmaterne_]

I love this show so much! I love Walker and the trio they are so talented. Love Walker ❤️

[@Cyborghand]

These actors did not disappoint! Walker and Leah and aryan are the perfect people for there characters and I think if you haven’t accepted that already you just need to let it go because they have done such a good job

[@danielcorreia216]

In terms of the physical characteristics of the casting choices, you don´t really need to follow their book descriptions because they never really had that much of an importance. The only thing about physical description that actually mattered was Annabeth and Athena´s distinctive grey eyes. I hope they find something in the series to make that distinction present.

[@username_creates6991]

Have you read the books? Annabeth was the only character (along with the other new ones in the other series but they’ll stick to those descriptions cus their ethnicities are trendy) to have a detailed description and ethnic background that affected her character traits. In the book Mark of Athena we get Annabeth’s dialogues and she said that her need to prove herself came from the fact that she was blonde and use to be bullied in school as a kid for being the dumb blonde. Her character literally exists to defy the stereotype of a dumb feminine blonde. In your basic white trio the main female character is always a brunette, because brunette’s fall under the stereotype of being the smart friend while the blonde friend falls under being pretty and stupid. And we still somewhat have that in fantasy films. If she’s not stupid she is helpless and eye candy for the hero. If she’s not helpless, she’s insane. But she is still the same stereotype of a dumb feminine blonde with a little more character. And all the none blonde people are saying ah that representation is not needed, the stereotype is dying out. While… no its not- sincerely a blonde girl. Rick decided that his series will be more trendy if he was the first to get a black girl in for the main trio. Even if he didn’t think of that 20 years ago. And its perfect cus he can just tell us we’re racist and that she’s the embodiment without working on her being the embodiment and the media will just praise him and the show. And I was waiting to see the embodiment but they seemed to change a lot of her personality too because Annabeth in the books is chatty, has a squeaky voice, is annoyed and angry at percy for no reason, fights better then percy… and we saw none of that in the show . So… idk they could at least see what they got themselves into a write her character a bit better. She needs a new arc now, she’s going to have to face racism in school and get called dumb by a racist and people will say whoa defying the dumb black girl stereotype… which was never a stereotype in media but fine, take other people’s representation and make it your own I guess…

[@katgreer6113]

@@username_creates6991 "And its perfect cus he can just tell us we’re racist..." you clearly are. "which was never a stereotype in media but fine, take other people’s representation and make it your own I guess…" of course you think the "dumb black girl" was never a stereotype in media because...ur not black. You wouldn't see it because you don't care about it. Legally Blonde is literally a whole movie series about blonde girls being smart. How many times have you seen that with black girls...? No one is "taking" your representation. You're acting as if white people aren't more than 70% of northern america already. You're clearly salty that a young black girl is in a fantasy show. Black people, especially girls, are rarely represented as heroines in fantasy. You probably claim to be a PJO fan while sourly missing the entire point of the origin. INCLUSIVITY. wether its with disabilities, race, or sexuality.

[@PristinePerceptions]

​@@username_creates6991 "Rick decided to be trendy" - Rick has always been trendy. His books are replete with issues and pop culture references from the time they are written. One of reasons he gave behind Leah's selection, is that the "dumb blonde girl" stereotype isn't as strong as it used to be when the book was written. However black people continue to be looked down upon. So making a black girl the daughter of Athena follows exactly the same logic as making a blonde girl the daughter of Athena did. Rick simply made the character more relevant to modern times, which is what he has always done. And I know you didn't say this, but for people criticizing Rick's "wokeness", Rick has always been woke AF. I don't know what books they were reading. But you can't look at Nico, Reyna and Piper and still be shocked by Rick's choices.

[@RachelLi-k8x]

@@username_creates6991 so so so SOOOOOOOOOOO TRUEEEEEEEEE

[@ChapstickRoan]

NOT THE PERCY JACKSON GUTS COVER 😭

[@iriemonmon]

Mispronuncing Aryan's name like that is crazy 😭

[@Artsonist16]

IKR MY DESI SELF IS CRYING

[@kairav7]

She kept on saying lighting thief for lightning thief😭😭

[@syxph3r]

air yehn

[@Artsonist16]

@@syxph3r LOL

[@michalroblox8363]

And scobell, it’s like skow-bell

[@keithss67]

The kids were very good. I enjoyed the first two episodes

[@rose..g4chaa]

i like how she said “lighting” even tho it said lightning

[@islaisinlovewithben]

NAHHH U DID ARYAN DIRTY WITH THAT PIC

[@keithss67]

lol the lighting thief? Do they steal lightbulbs?

[@cookiedw3927]

Na mate, a lightning bolt 😮

[@shinjujapaneselanguagecent5815]

@@cookiedw3927 It was a joke

[@cleorxxfrr]

how stupid can u be

[@a.daughter.of.aphrodite1]

Never say that to a pj fan…

[@cleorxxfrr]

@@keithss67 im gonna smoke your banana

[@Zed840-k8o]

I loved laeh as anabeth u chose the right one

[@arianna4545]

imagine being a fully grown adult and bullying THE Leah Sava Jefferies 😞

[@caroline_07.]

What I'm really curious about is how they got the audition in the first place, and how to know when auditions are or when to send in tapes. I know most people have agents, but what if you don't and want to be discovered? This is truly my dream.

[@laurenellis4107]

U need an agent to get most auditions especially for big shows like this one

[@Hadsb14]

You need a agent if you want to do this

[@nymphaestus]

send in a tape? like email? i heard for pjos next seasons the audition is open like this

[@alphara_harold]

@@nymphaestus Can u explain in details pls?? Where do we send the tapes like website or smth? Email of who on when exactly?

[@alphara_harold]

@@Hadsb14 I don't think those kids have agents at all tho

[@SPODERMAN_YEAHHH]

I’m using this to learn techniques to start acting !!! I wanna audition for Percy Jackson so this will be helpful!!

[@deanryanmartin]

The casting of this great is diverse. I love the celebs for the trio, the gods, the monsters, etc.!

[@akiraasmr3002]

And for the people complaining about diversity well the main actor is still white so who cares. But we should not worry about what racist peoples opinions are when they complain Annabeth is black or their favorite fake characters are not white.

[@AAAAAAAAAA28]

6:01 THEY WERE JOKING

[@Ag3nt_p0rk]

7:00 ( why did she say it like that? 😭😭 i love her so much )

[@RachelLi-k8x]

but she told the truth, lea didn't fit the original description

[@Pie_cake341]

@@RachelLi-k8x it been 2 years move on

[@TharulPerera]

@bopping I love percy jackson and the lighting theif

[@destroyer4511]

Never heard of the lighting thief before lmao

[@Hackerkid2010]

I was judgmental at first about Annabeth because in my head I always pictured her with blond hair and light skin and I was kinda sad but after seeing her on the big screen I can't get her character out of my head Leah is perfect for the role

[@Avasroutines]

Just me who liked the og Percy Jackson movies as well as the series?

[@whosbella9280]

I love leah

[@Li-Yen13]

"walker scobull" is crazy

[@LuckyUmi]

“Airy inn”

[@Josieeditz912]

1:19 I'm sorry did she call it the lighting thief???

[@Broskie-114]

Honestly I don’t give a DAMN about the adult’s opinion with Leah because she CARRIED the show for me. Every time I saw her on screen my face lit up ready to see what she had for us

[@mooselake]

Walker finding out he got the role was adorable.

[@AHHHHHHH-]

I swear these jerky millennials getting mad it’s not “like the olden days” grow up. Leah’s a beautiful young woman, and a perfect match for annabeth. I wish anyone who is reading this has a good day!😊

[@0_0flo.0_0]

"Walker scoboll " "erine " " Rick redion" " The previous disappointment which was the movies" "The *lighting* thief" IM DEAD 💀 😂

[@evattfamily2031]

I Love This Show❤❤❤❤❤

[@itz_girliepops]

"precise "" on the LIGHTING" UHM, its lightning not lighting

[@g00fy_grl]

I honestly don’t have a problem with the movies except for age and plot. If Percy in the first book started at age sixteen Logan would have been perfect. And if everything in the original plot would have happened I would have loved it. The movies get way too much hate for no reason. But I love the new series and have been waiting for the last three episodes to premiere

[@eroticaxx]

Didn’t Percy start the books at age 12?

[@g00fy_grl]

Yes I know but I’m saying that if the books started when Percy was sixteen Lerman would have been a perfect actor for the role

[@eroticaxx]

@@g00fy_grl Ohh, I’m so dumb lol

[@g00fy_grl]

No you’re not sometimes I make my comments confusing sometimes 😅

[@mikew4022]

So far no aluminum cans! Grover loves to eat them!!💚😁

[@girlliepop]

At first, I was really uncomfortable watching Leah as Annabeth, but she grew on me. The casting was PERFECT, even if the actors aren’t 100% book accurate. It’s definitely the portrayal and personality that counts

[@Ggs-t6u]

Does anyone know if we could still audition for the show? My friend wants to lol Also, this show is coming out amazingly and is so cool!

[@marie.2056]

chances are if the series gets renewed for season 2, they’ll probably have a couple roles open up. your friend will probably have to have had screen experience and an agent

[@iamjtalko]

probably at the end or near the end of the lightning thief casting calls will open up for the stoll brothers and tyson and stuff.

[@Ggs-t6u]

Alright thanks everyone 🙏🙏 do you know where she should look if roles open up? Also what if she doesn’t have an agent… She’s done theatre locally and takes online acting classes and sings publicly

[@marie.2056]

@@Ggs-t6u i would keep on eye on disney's website, but also rick's. auditioning without an agent or any previous film experience might be tricky to land a role, but it won't hurt to audition!

[@ivoryy.editss]

@@Ggs-t6u​​⁠​⁠​⁠hi! i’m a beginner film actress, and i’ve realized that if you want to become a part of a large tv show such as this one, your going to want to take TONS of on screen acting classes. film acting is completely different than theater acting, so just be sure your friend is aware of that. your best bet would be to get an agent because most casting directors for big shows like this won’t just open it up to anybody. if you have any questions on how to get an agent i can also help w that if needed! but if getting an agent is completely off the table, you could try checking backstage, actors access, or any other online casting resources. the chances of this show being on there is pretty low, but it’s always good to check. also, i cannot stress this enough, your friend probably won’t get the role if they have no other previous work or experience doing film. this was a bit scrambled, but i hope this will help your friends acting journey. if you have ANY other questions i’d be happy to help

[@elissagarcia6001]

I just want to say they picked the perfect actress for the movies

[@The_loraaxx]

The lighting thief😂😂

[@FridayAddamsAldc_ReeseyPiecey]

I love Leah she’s so amazing

[@calamedisgaunt916]

does she say, lighting thief instead of lightning thief?

[@Artsonist16]

YES LOL 😭😭

[@theartsyabigail]

BROOOOO WALKER AND ARYAN READ THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!

[@SaiSriram19]

Ah yes the Lighting Thief.

[@Brenda0930]

Lol

[@justadisneylover]

the mispronunciation in this film is killing me 💀

[@AriannaL-r9m]

she said all of their names wrong 😭🙏

[@Brynn3_Roblox]

The LIGHTING thief lol 1:18

[@da_one_and_only_angel]

AIRIYAN? LIGHTING THIEF?

[@KatelynMcNeely]

the old movies werent that bad-

[@SirShmoopyYT]

The lighting thief?

[@MotivationTargetShorts]

cool video

[@turtle1658]

💀

[@Brenda0930]

💀

[@turtle1658]

@@Brenda0930 💀 what

[@AceBlack-qg2gr]

half blood camp??????????????????????? BUDDY YOU SAID IT WRONG

[@evamartinez2974]

Take a shot every time she mispronounces someone’s name

[@vvvalkyrie]

Iw Tkpok Mwsny Sjyts

[@Themightyducksevie]

❤

[@jeremyscott3645]

That was really mean to say. Logan Lerman had nothing to do with the failure of his films. He was just an actor who spoke lines and hit his marks. What the hell? You made it sound like it was ALL his fault the movies sucked. No… That was DISNEY AND THE SCREEN WRITERS AND THE DIRECTOR! Try to be more caring about what you say…

[@eroticaxx]

Exactly, don’t come for the actors

[@Miyanoai14]

I agree, the actors were actually quite good. It was the writing that was terrible.

[@Juliana-jd4qw]

I loved the movie

[@alexiacool600]

​@Juliana-jd4qw me too 😂 and I say that as a book reader. It was crazy and I loved it.

[@ohifonlyx33]

No. Because i see a LOT of people crying "adult racists bullying small child" but I didn't see a single person bullying Leah. I saw skepticism being directed toward the adults who cast her. I am skeptical of THEM. Leah, is clearly a beautiful young girl with a lot of talent and no one is mad at her for that. In fact, I have seen people make sure to give her lots of praise, even despite their reservations about her casting. Anyway, I never saw hate or bullying. I only saw a small minority of people worried that she was being used by Disney as a controversial foced-diversity hire in order to push a political agenda that creates more racial division (and spoiler: she kinda is since everyone keeps talking about the color of her skin and calling people racist merely for noticing she doesn't look like Annabeth). Please note: being anti-DEI is NOT the same as being racist. In fact, one can make the argument that forced DEI is the real racism. I also saw a little bit of confusion about whether Annabeth's casting meant the Greek Gods were actually African. But... more broadly, the most common concern I saw was the book fans who were merely a bit disappointed that their favorite characters didn't look the same as they did in the book. Like, personally, I'm equally as upset that Luke isn't blonde and Percy doesn't have dark hair.... Like... it's 20 years later and I'm still not over Faramir being reddish-blonde in Lord of the Rings.

[@katgreer6113]

what political agenda? what ??

[@berengustav7714]

The Greek gods, particularly Zeus is made out of energy unlike anything mortal,yeah they looked Greek in Greece but they are changeable beings.

[@DeathBoyandCareBear]

Lighting thief 💀

[@awsomerobyn2603]

I still don’t see why they didn’t make it animated. The limits are non existent compared to live action. They could of made all the characters exactly like they were in the book while using these actors. They would save money while also not have Inc. to worry about all the effects looking perfect and they could go crazy with the water manipulation that Percy does, they could make the gods look godly (with glowing eyes and intimidating stature) and they could make the monsters look terrifying (I was rather disappointed that Medusa looked so normal). They could also give the show a unique feel rather then doing the normal live action, it can also look far brighter when they want it to but then it can get all dark when the story gets more serious

[@Miyanoai14]

You don't realize how expensive animation is...do you?

[@awsomerobyn2603]

@@Miyanoai14 well the budget per episode was a staggering $15 million so yeah it would be around the same price if not slightly less. My friend and I were talking and apparently the average for this length for an anime style to show would be about $10 million per episode. Plus it’s Disney, they have so much money and if they made a good show then yeah people would watch it and they would make far more money

[@Kazi2007]

They could actually show Percy uncapping riptide 😭

[@Arziii3]

Fr.

[@DAlimefroggy]

i know aryan but not Air-e-in

[@2dimitropolis370]

This is just ridiculous

[@JustYourAveragebookfan]

?

[@GACHAnabiiee]

?

[@Artsonist16]

?

[@kaylasmithletts8356]

?

[@absolutelyanything7940]

?

[@rroocckkssttaarr69]

She really just kept taking digs at the movies because they were so bad