Three years into playing Percy Jackson, Walker Scobell still finds the role intimidating, but the 17-year-old star has discovered the key to managing the pressure: having author Rick Riordan’s direct involvement as his creative safety net.
At just 17 years old, Walker Scobell carries one of television’s most demanding roles on his shoulders—the live-action embodiment of Percy Jackson. Despite having played the demigod for three years across multiple seasons of Disney+’s hit series, the young actor admits the pressure hasn’t diminished.
“It’s definitely still daunting. You really want to do it right,” Scobell reveals. “It’s a big responsibility.” The weight of portraying a character beloved by millions of readers worldwide continues to loom large, even as filming for season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is already underway.
The Riordan Anchor Effect
Scobell has found his secret weapon against the pressures of the role: having Rick Riordan directly involved in the production. The author’s presence as both writer and producer provides the young star with creative validation that helps calm his nerves.
“That’s why I love having Rick on board as a writer and a producer of the show, because it’s so nice to know that, anything that happens, anything that changes, this is him. This is still Percy Jackson,” Scobell explains. “It calms me down a lot to think about that.”
This creative safety net stands in stark contrast to previous adaptations, where Riordan famously distanced himself from the film versions starring Logan Lerman. The author’s vocal disapproval of those movies makes his enthusiastic participation in the Disney+ series particularly meaningful for both the cast and fans.
From Netflix Breakout to Demigod Destiny
Scobell’s journey to becoming Percy Jackson began shortly after his breakout role in Netflix’s The Adam Project, where he played the younger version of Ryan Reynolds. His viral moment reciting monologues from Deadpool 2 showcased both his talent and familiarity with Reynolds’ signature style.
Just one month after the film’s release in 2022, the then-13-year-old Scobell landed the career-defining role. “I was a huge fan of the books before, and you don’t get the opportunity very often to be a part of one of these amazing worlds like this,” he reflects.
The actor describes the experience as “an amazing opportunity,” noting that “growing up, I’ve always wanted to be part of the Marvel Universe and the Star Wars universe and stuff like that. Being able to be a part of one of these universes is just insane to think about.”
A Supportive Cast and Creative Team
Scobell isn’t navigating the demigod world alone. He works alongside Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood and Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase, forming the core trio that drives the series’ narrative. The chemistry between the young actors has been a highlight for both critics and fans.
Even Logan Lerman, who originated the role in the 2010 film adaptation, has become supportive of the new generation. While initially expressing disappointment at not hearing from the original Percy Jackson star, Scobell now counts Lerman as a friend.
“They’re really a sweet group of kids, really talented and nice people,” Lerman told IMDb last year, confirming that he and Scobell “talk and text from time to time.”
Season 2 Success and Future Prospects
The series returned for its second season last month, adapting Riordan’s second book, Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters. New episodes continue to premiere Wednesdays on Disney+, maintaining the momentum that made season 1 one of the platform’s most successful original productions.
The ongoing production of season 3 signals Disney+’s confidence in both the creative team and Scobell’s ability to carry the franchise forward. With Riordan’s direct involvement ensuring authenticity, and Scobell growing more comfortable in the role with each season, the future looks bright for the young demigod’s television adventures.
As Scobell continues to balance the demands of fame, acting, and normal teenage life, his connection to Riordan’s vision remains his grounding force—proving that even demigods need creative anchors.
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