But this will be an adaptation that I am proud of, and which fully honors the spirit of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, taking the bedtime story I told my son twenty years ago to make him feel better about being neurodivergent, and improving on it so that kids all over the world can continue to see themselves as heroes at Camp Half-Blood. Rick Riordan has strong words for fans upset with the casting of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," an upcoming Disney+ show based on his book series of the same name. The actress, who is Black, is set to star as one of the leads in the upcoming adaptation set to release on Disney+. - May 10, 2022 01:25 pm EDT. However, no one is saying the same thing about Tim Sharp. Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. ", Related:Joshua Cohen's 'The Netanyahus,' more awarded 2022 Pulitzer Prizes in books, drama, music. Now.. This is untrue. The casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Percy Jackson and the Olympians series resulted in some backlash from book fans regarding race-related details. Her fellow district member Thresh Morrowson was played by dark-skinned actor Dayo Okeniyi, yet he faced almost zero backlash. The most watched K-pop music videos of the year have been revealed. 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WebAnnabeth Chase is a Greek demigod, daughter of the goddess Athena and professor Frederick Chase, and the cousin of Norse demigod Magnus Chase. WebAlexandra Daddario: Annabeth Showing all 35 items Jump to: Photos (29) Quotes (6) Photos 6 more photos Quotes [last lines] [Annabeth leaning in as if to kiss Percy, then swiping his Back in December, Daddario told WrapWomens UnWrapped podcast that she has no involvement in the new Disney+ series, but was excited to see who would be tapped to play the daughter of Athena next. They join Walker Scobell, who will portray the titular Percy. Since then, there has been significant backlash to the casting of Jeffries, a Black actress, as Annabeth, described as white with blonde hair in the original books. Author Rick Riordan, who is also writing the series and cast the actors, has responded to the backlash on his blog. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. There is power in plurality. WebPercy Jackson Author Shuts Down Backlash to Casting Black Actress as Annabeth Chase: Friends, That Is Racism 10 May 2022 by Andi Ortiz The Wrap Rick Riordan will not stand They claim that Annabeths story was about overcoming the dumb blonde stereotype in a world full of brunettes. ", The author added that those saying Jeffries doesn't fit the role because she's not white are dismissing her "years of hard work honing her craft, her talent, her tenacity, her focus, her screen presence. Racism/colorism isnt something we have or dont have. They do not necessarily reflect or represent the opinions of any part of Disney, the TV show, the production team, or the Jeffries family. Hopefully, hearing from the previous live-action Annabeth may help to quiet the naysayers, as unlikely as that may be. Even now, Thompson still faces intense criticism while Elba was eventually accepted as Heimdall. In fact, many stans will attach themselves to any white actor who mentions they auditioned for the role instead of supporting the girl who fairly won the role. In a lengthy blog post published earlier this week, Riordan condemned the racist remarks made toward the young star set to play Annabeth Chase in Percy Jackson and the Olympians., This post is specifically for those who have a problem with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase, Riordan wrote. First, let me be clear I am speaking here only for myself. The character of Aquaman has historically been white with blond hair and blue eyes. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Aryan Simhadri (left) and Leah Jeffries (right). Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, And it seems for the most part that fans (and Alexandra Daddario) cant wait to see Leah Jeffries play everyones favorite daughter of Athena. Naturally, rampant anticipation followed the announcement. Oops. Daddario has already given the new series her blessing, but after the news went public that Leah Jeffries' casting sparked negative reactions and insults on her social media accounts, Alexandra Daddario stepped up to cheer her on, though without addressing any of the blowback directly. newsletter, recently welcomed the two new cast members on his blog, Every movie and show coming to Netflix in March, All the big new games coming out in March, Pokemon Go leader counters for Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff in March 2023, Pokmon Go Rocket Giovanni counters, team in March 2023, PlayStation VR 2 games releasing in March, all upcoming titles for 2023, The official BTS Lego set is now available. Weve got you covered! In a post on his website, Riordan who wrote the Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series, will write the pilot of the Disney+ series, and executive produce the series noted that most of the responses to Jeffries being cast have been overwhelmingly positive and joyous. But there are still some out there who are upset that Annabeth, who is described as a white girl in the books, will be played by a Black actress and thats who Riordan directed his post at. You refuse to believe her selection could have been based on merit. And not just white people like me. Without having seen her play the part, you have pre-judged her (pre + judge = prejudice) and decided she must have been hired simply to fill a quota or tick a diversity box. Two-thirds of the main trio would no longer be white like they had once been in the books. Dior is not as big as Clarisse was described in the book. Likes: fashion, books, old buildings. Why does no one seem to care that much? Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter & Sasha Calle Will Star In New Book to Movie Adaptation. main love interest for Percy. The idea of blackwashing is a clear example of misogynoir. Alexandra Daddario joins Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan in praising Leah Jeffries after fans criticized her casting as the new Annabeth Chase in Disney+ series. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy. It's a shame such posts need to be written, but they do. That should mean something. Annabeths story is not about the color of her hair. Many non-Black people can wrap their minds around a Black villain just not a Black good guy. For them, a world where a child of Athena is not white cannot exist because all of Athenas children are blonde. There was a problem. Leah Jeffries was announced as Annabeth and Aryan Simhadri was announced as Grover. Arguably, Pattons role as Iris West started the trend of race-bending originally white characters with Black actors. "These thoughts are mine alone. She does not have superpowers like her closest friends. Alexandra Daddario Supports Percy Jackson Series Casting Of Annabeth Role As Leah Jeffries Speaks Out About Online Bullying, Hoda Kotb Absent From Today Due To Family Health Matter, Savannah Guthrie Still Out After Positive Covid Test, Hoda Kotb's Today Absence Due to 'Family Health Matter', iPhone GIFs Not Working? Take a look at her message below: Leah Jeffries is going to be an incredible Annabeth!! And by the way, these criticisms have come from across the political spectrum, right and left. From look I didnt want to be a half-blood, I was hooked. Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase. In the books, Rue was a dark-skinned Black girl, and Amandla is light-skinned. Friends, that is racism. Fans are already excited to see the young actress in the role, and Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan is also praising her. The same cannot be said for the comments under Dior Goodjohns casting announcement. Annabeth The things that distinguish us from one another are often our marks of individual greatness. 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. She was the daughter of Olivia Lyon, Jamals ex wife, who claimed she was his daughter, but it turned out she wasnt. In the replies to that announcement, there were people commenting on her race and body type. The Wise Girl has arrived!. Leah won the role of Annabeth out of ten thousand other girls. Anyone can be a hero. Now. Who would play Percy? Ten thousand other actresses of various backgrounds auditioned for Annabeth and Rick Riordan hand-picked Leah. However, when Jason Momoa, a Polynesian man with brown hair and brown eyes, was cast as the character in 2014, there was very little backlash. Meet the 'Percy Jackson' Series' Annabeth Chase! You will receive a verification email shortly. In fact, it happens almost every time a traditionally white character is played by a Black actress. "Watch the show or don't. Rather than finding excitement in the concept of new interpretations of classic characters, social media trolls tend to share negative critiques without seeing the finished product first, and in this case share them before filming has even started. No actor should have to bear their job. In the book, Gabe is also described as fat. They do not necessarily reflect or represent the opinions of any part of Disney, the TV show, the production team, or the Jeffries family. Riordan also reiterated that, as the man who created these characters, he is inarguably best suited for knowing who should play them, and is confident that audiences will fall in love with Jeffries as Annabeth. Lets Go!! Rick Riordan created Percy Jackson and the Olympians as a way for his son to see himself in the neurodiverse characters of the world. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. So, want to know more about Leah? They also cannot imagine a little Black girl playing a hero. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief hit theaters in 2010. "Some of you have apparently felt offended or exasperated when your objections are called out online as racist. One of the main gripes that anchored discourse in online circles was the way the characters looked. In the film, based on the novel by Melissa Hill, a womans life is upended when an engagement ring meant for someone else leads her to the person shes meant to be with, reports Deadline. "Buckle up, demigods. They need to stop. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Empire fans may recognize Leah from her role as Lola on the hit Fox drama. Now., After the announcement, fans of the mythological adventure called out the cast for not staying true to the book, like one Twitter user who said, I really wanted them to do everything by the book. Following the release of Riordans statement, #LeahIsOurAnnabeth began trending on Twitter, with fans voicing their support for the young actress. "The response to the casting of Leah has been overwhelmingly positive and joyous, as it should be," Riordan wrote on his website. Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeth's strength. For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to disability, gender, race and ethnicity, age, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis prohibited by law. The only other thing she has is her wisdom and her ambition. Now, former Percy Jackson film franchise star Alexandra Daddario has chimed in with a simple but supportive message for the actress taking over her former role. In comparison to Elba, the backlash against Thompson was more violent and consistent. The Percy Jackson backlash is similar to what Halle Bailey experienced when she was cast as Ariel in the live-action The Little Mermaid. Riordan made a point to clarify that he was not instructed by Disney or anyone else on who he should pick to play the beloved half-bloods. 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. Web1 Percy Jackson Annabeth Chase TV Mini Series 2017 8 episodes IMDb Best of 2022 Discover the stars who skyrocketed on IMDbs STARmeter chart this year, and explore more of the Best of 2022; including top trailers, posters, and photos. While Walker does not have Percys signature Black hair, Riordan assured everyone that he embodied Percy the best. Who would be Grover? We should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong, Riordan wrote. Along the way, he gains two main friends, Annabeth, daughter of Athena, and Grover, his satyr protector. "If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. In the series, we follow 12-year-old Percy Jackson as he stumbles into the world of Greek gods and monsters. Why can we not have both brand new characters and race-bend whatever characters we want? Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. You feel I must have been coerced, brainwashed, bribed, threatened, whatever, or I as a white male author never would have chosen a Black actor for the part of this canonically white girl. We all do. Rick Riordan will not stand for any racism toward or bullying of the new Percy Jackson cast. Most notably, theres Candice Patton who was hired to play Iris West Allen in The Flash in 2014. Leah Jeffires definitely isnt the first Black actress to be the target of racist commenters after being cast in a role that was initially written as and played by a white person. This entitlement is intertwined with white supremacy. And by the way, these criticisms have come from across the political spectrum, right and left.. Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeths strength. Everyone was talking about the show; Percy trended on Twitter all day. This trio is the best. Will Alert: Missing Persons Unit Be Renewed For Season 2 On Fox After Finale? Her story is one of constant heartbreak, but also unflinching resilience and triumphs. ", "If you don't get that, if you're still upset about the casting of this marvelous trio, then it doesn't matter how many times you have read the books. Aryan Simhadri (Disneys Spin) and Leah Sava Jeffries (Empire) will join the show as Grover Underwood and Annabeth Chase, respectively. Leahs Annabeth Chase is a true daughter of the Greek goddess Athena, who is a brilliant strategist with an active and curious mind. It is not racist to want an actor who is accurate to the books description of the character!, You are upset/disappointed/frustrated/angry because a Black actor has been cast to play a character who was described as white in the books. Rick Riordan has strong words for fans upset with thecasting of"Percy Jackson and the Olympians," an upcoming Disney+ show based on his book series of the same name. ", More:Notorious B.I.G. 0:00. He is heavily involved with the show, however, and most recently welcomed the two new cast members on his blog, highly praising both actors (and sharing a picture of him and the three leads). We did that. What much of this outcry boils down to is fan entitlement, anti-blackness, and misogynoir. I, for one, am excited for Leah Jeffries to bring life to one of my favorite characters, and I am carving her name into the Emmys right now. On Tuesday, the young adult novelist, 57, spoke out against backlash the show has received after Variety announced last ThursdaythatLeah Jeffries, a 12-year-old Black actress, will play Annabeth Chase, whom Riordan described in the books as white. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong," he continued. They said there was no way that she could be Starfire, a fictional alien from a make-believe planet. You would think the protest of her character would be on the basis of the colorist casting. Rick Riordan went out looking for the most talented actors to portray the characters that he wrote and when he found them, they just so happened to not be white. That neurodivergent kid who has failed out of six schools, for instance, may well be the son of Poseidon. She will be a role model for new generations of girls who will see in her the kind hero they want to be," the creator observed. "If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. Its a shame such posts need to be written, but they do. But this will be an adaptation that I am proud of, and which fully honors the spirit of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, taking the bedtime story I told my son twenty years ago to make him feel better about being neurodivergent, and improving on it so that kids all over the world can continue to see themselves as heroes at Camp Half-Blood.". First, let me be clear I am speaking here only for myself," Riordan clarified. History once again repeats itself with Leah Jeffries. In the second film, Alexandra dyed her hair blonde to resemble Annabeth more. This was the moment of redemption that everyone had been waiting for. She might be perfect and a great actress but Annabeth is supposed to be blonde hair with grey eyes like Athena , To comments like that, the author said, You are judging her appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. Whats more? What We Know About Disney+s Show Her casting as Annabeth Chase was announced in May 2022, along with the announcement of the casting of Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood. Additionally, it was announced that Walker Scobell will be playing the titular character back in April 2022. The Old Kids Wont Talk to Him, Make New Ones: Report Claims Gary Owen Is Having Twins with New Girlfriend, Fans Bring Up His Strained Relationship with Older Children, She Did Doing What Tami Roman Did: Malaysia Pargo Fans Support Her Departure from Basketball Wives Over Jennifer Williams Hurtful Comment, Kandi Its Angela Davis: Fans Call Out Kandi Burruss After She Tagged the Wrong Angela In IG Post About Legendary Women of Impact. Once you see Leah as Annabeth, she will become exactly the way you imagine Annabeth, assuming you give her that chance, but you refuse to credit that this may be true. Jenna Ortega Starring in New Movie with The Weeknd, Cady Heron's Mom Has Been Cast for 'Mean Girls' Movie Musical. Rick Riordan made a promise that he was going to try to keep the spirit of his books alive with young actors who would be accurate to the ages of the characters. I am so excited for the kids that are going to be cast in that and how theyll inspire a new generation of young women. You have no one else to blame," he continued."We should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. To resemble Annabeth more aryan Simhadri was announced as Annabeth and Rick Riordan also. Are often our marks of individual greatness, Gabe is also described as.... Book to Movie Adaptation, Riordan wrote New characters and race-bend whatever we. 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