The upcoming 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,' due out in Feb. 2010, is adapted from 'The Lightning Thief,' the first novel in the 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians' series by Rick Riordan. Its young leading man, Percy, discovers that he's the son of a Greek god ... and the adventure begins.
'Harry Potter' is sort of winding down -- the books are done, there are only three movies left (including 'Half-Blood Prince'), so studios are vying to find a massive blockbuster franchise to fill the quickly approaching void. The 'Narnia' movies fared well, but didn't quite hit that sweet spot; the 'Golden Compass' adaptation failed miserably to set up its franchise as a hit movie series; and 'Eragon' has 'Era'-went.
Will 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians' rise where others have fallen? Only time will tell, but it does have a leg up on the others -- the flick's directed by 'Potter' alum Chris Columbus. That's gotta help. Watch the exclusive teaser trailer and let us know if you think it's got the right stuff to fill 'Harry''s robes, or if you've got an idea for a fantasy series that might be the next big thing.
Reader Comments (86)
susankomar at 3:29PM on Jul 14th 2009
Can't wait! Trailer looks great. Percy Jackson character looks just like I thought he would
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET
Erika at 2:19PM on Jul 14th 2009
Wow, it's even directed by Chris Columbus, who did the first 2 Harry Potter movies. I saw lots of similarities in the just the trailer, the city in the clouds resembled Hogwarts when the First Years see it for the first time....
magentanight at 5:30PM on Jul 14th 2009
It's directed by long-gone Christopher Columbus! >:D
SVBandDork927 at 6:01PM on Jul 14th 2009
I totally thought that too!
Mckenna at 12:26PM on Jul 24th 2009
You can tell that Harry Potter and The upcoming Percy Jackson movie has simalarties. I mean Mt. Oylmpus kinda looked like Hogwarts in the first movie. I can tell that the Percy Jackson movie might be good. But most likely not as good as the upcoming Tim Burton movie Alice in Wonderland
N.J. at 12:04PM on Aug 22nd 2009
The Percy Jackson series I thought was better than Harry Potter mainly because of it have much, much more action in it, and I think some of the not so die-heart fans of Harry Potter are looking for something new, this movie is that new.
MARILYN at 2:30PM on Jul 14th 2009
Can't wait, the books are tremendous, and my students actually read these books! But what about Vlad Tod... also an excellent series.
taniaandmichae at 2:45PM on Jul 14th 2009
I'm a teacher too, and would love to teach the book before the movie comes out. What grade level are you and where did you get your teaching materials?
Rose at 8:56PM on Jul 14th 2009
I would totally love if they did a movie for The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd... Those books are amazing :]]
Aredhelrim12 at 1:47PM on Jul 19th 2009
the vladimir tod series is too short to be made into a movie
Ken at 2:30PM on Jul 14th 2009
I hope they don't screw it up. The books were great!
Ray-Ray at 9:30PM on Jul 15th 2009
Oh. Mah. Gunness. I cannot WAIT to see it! That's my favorite book series!!
bjcnv84 at 11:49PM on Jul 15th 2009
the best book series i have ever read. (my opinion)
Mckenna at 12:27PM on Jul 24th 2009
I books were awesome not great. I think the best on was the The Last Oymlpian.
Diane at 2:39PM on Jul 14th 2009
Actually I thought Golden Compass was hands down the better movie over Narnia. I'm sorry there won't be a sequel.
Brandi at 7:59PM on Jul 14th 2009
The Golden Compass was a horrible movie to make for children!! In the books the kids are trying to kill God in the end so that they can take over the world or some stupid crap like that. I will never ever let my children see that movie!!! Even Nicole Kidman said that if she would have known what the books were leading up to in the end she never would have played the roll she played in The Golden Compass!!
This Percy Jackson looks pretty good tho!! I've never read the books but.....and I absolutely LOVE Harry Potter!! Got me reading when I was a kid!! I'm now 22 and I really like reading and I still even read the Harry Potter books!! Another Good series that I am currently reading is the Septimus Heap series!! They should do movies of them too!! :0 )
ilovepercyyy at 2:42PM on Jul 14th 2009
ommgggg i CANT WAITT for this movie !! its going to be amazing logan lerman is going to be greattttt as percy jackson ive been waiting forever for this YEAAA
Luuzii at 2:57PM on Jul 14th 2009
i reaally don't like harry potter.
but the Percy Jackson series was awesoome!
so i hope the movies are as good tooo!
RhoyaleGold at 2:57PM on Jul 14th 2009
I read this book, and I honestly thought it was a poor comparison to the Harry Potter franchise.
However, I do love the fact that "The Lightning Thief" used Greek gods and goddesses as part of the plot. I would love to use that in my classroom.
cb at 11:57PM on Aug 10th 2009
WOW i cant wait for this movie to come out i read the book and its my favorite... thi is so exciteing