the Percy Jackson and the Olympians The team isn’t quite ready to search for a new Zeus.
In the Season 1 finale of the Disney+ series, the late Lance Reddick played the Greek god in an extended scene with series hero Walker Scoble, as Percy confronts Zeus atop Mount Olympus. It was one of his last on-screen roles.
Zeus has a presence in all five of Rick Riordan’s works Percy Jackson and the Olympians Novels.
“I don’t think anyone has gotten there yet,” executive producer John Steinberg told reporters about recasting the role ahead of Season 2, which has already gotten the green light. “I think there’s also a little bit of denial. That’s something we’ll have to deal with. But we’re so grateful for this character he’s helped build and the presence he’s created. I don’t envy whoever has to replace him.”
Executive producer Dan Schutz added that the creative team recently heard from Riddick’s wife, who told them “how proud he would have been to see” the series.
He continued: “It was really difficult, and we miss him very much.” “But just the fact that the world saw him in this iconic role – he will live on forever.”
Percy Jackson Reddick is honored in the title card at the end of the first season. Following Riddick’s death, author Rick Riordan also wrote a tribute to the actor on his blog, where he frequently communicates with fans. He described Riddick as a “vibrant, kind and talented” man.
“His charisma and regal personality made him ideal for the King of the Gods, but from what I could tell, he was not as personal as the distant and turbulent Sky God. He had a wonderful, quirky sense of humor. He was thoughtful, caring, and insightful,” Riordan wrote.
The author also promised that Riddick’s scenes “will remind us how much brilliance we have lost.”