The Ultimate Cast Comparison: Where Are The Stars Of 'Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief' Now?

The legacy of Camp Half-Blood continues to evolve in the modern media landscape, making the "Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief" cast a topic of fresh, intense discussion as of late 2024. The original 2010 film adaptation, *Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief*, introduced a generation to the demigod world, but the recent, highly-anticipated Disney+ series, *Percy Jackson and the Olympians*, has completely recast the iconic roles, offering a new perspective on Rick Riordan's beloved novels. This deep dive explores the careers of the original cast members who brought Percy, Annabeth, and Grover to life, and introduces the talented young actors who are now carrying the weight of Olympus on their shoulders. The comparison between the two adaptations is a fascinating study in Hollywood's evolution, highlighting how the actors from the 2010 film have since become major stars, while the new cast represents a younger, more book-accurate portrayal of the characters. We look at the original trio's recent projects and provide a complete biographical profile of the new demigod stars, alongside a full breakdown of the powerful Olympians in both versions.

The Original Demigod Trio: Where Are They Now?

The 2010 film, directed by Chris Columbus, launched the careers of three young actors, who, despite the movie’s mixed reception, have all gone on to achieve significant success in film and television.

Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson, 2010)

Biography Profile:

• Full Name: Logan Wade Lerman
• Born: January 19, 1992 (Beverly Hills, California)
• Breakthrough Role: Percy Jackson in *Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief* (2010)
• Notable Roles Before/After Percy: *The Butterfly Effect* (2004), *3:10 to Yuma* (2007), *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* (2012)
• Recent Projects (2020s): *Hunters* (2020-2023), *Bullet Train* (2022), *We Were the Lucky Ones* (2024)

Lerman successfully transitioned from teen idol to respected dramatic actor. Following his time as the son of Poseidon, he earned critical acclaim for his performance in *The Perks of Being a Wallflower* in 2012. More recently, Lerman starred as Jonah Heidelbaum in the Amazon Prime Video series *Hunters*, a thriller about a group of Nazi hunters in 1970s New York, which concluded its run in 2023. His 2024 project, *We Were the Lucky Ones*, is a Hulu limited series where he plays Addy Kurc, based on the true story of a Jewish family separated at the start of World War II. Lerman has publicly expressed support for the new Disney+ series, calling it "amazing."

Alexandra Daddario (Annabeth Chase, 2010)

Biography Profile:

• Full Name: Alexandra Anna Daddario
• Born: March 16, 1986 (New York City, New York)
• Breakthrough Role: Annabeth Chase in *Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief* (2010)
• Notable Roles Before/After Percy: *Texas Chainsaw 3D* (2013), *Baywatch* (2017), *True Detective* (2014)
• Recent Projects (2020s): *The White Lotus* (2021), *Mayfair Witches* (2023-Present), *Landman* (Upcoming)

Daddario's career soared after her role as Annabeth, the daughter of Athena. Her performance in the first season of HBO's critically acclaimed series *The White Lotus* in 2021 was a major career highlight, earning her an Emmy nomination. She currently stars as the lead, Dr. Rowan Fielding, in the AMC series *Mayfair Witches*, based on the Anne Rice novels. Looking ahead, she is set to star in the upcoming Taylor Sheridan series *Landman*.

Brandon T. Jackson (Grover Underwood, 2010)

Biography Profile:

• Full Name: Brandon Timothy Jackson
• Born: March 7, 1984 (Detroit, Michigan)
• Breakthrough Role: Grover Underwood in *Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief* (2010)
• Notable Roles Before/After Percy: *Tropic Thunder* (2008), *Lottery Ticket* (2010), *Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son* (2011)
• Recent Projects (2020s): *Trap City* (2021), *The Family Business* (2018-Present), *Makin A Way* (Unscripted Series)

Jackson, who played the satyr and best friend Grover, has maintained a busy career in both comedy and drama. He has starred in the gritty crime drama film *Trap City*, which was a major trending success on STARZ. He also has a recurring role in the BET series *The Family Business*. Jackson continues to work on independent projects, including his own unscripted series, focusing on creative control and his return to comedy.

The New Generation: Disney+ Cast Biographies (2023/2024)

The launch of the Disney+ series, *Percy Jackson and the Olympians*, in December 2023, introduced a new, younger cast, more closely aligning with the 12-year-old age of the characters in the original *The Lightning Thief* book.

Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson, Disney+)

Biography Profile:

• Full Name: Walker Scobell
• Born: January 5, 2009 (Virginia, United States)
• Age During Filming: Approximately 13–14 years old
• Breakout Role: Young Adam in *The Adam Project* (2022)
• Current Projects: *Percy Jackson and the Olympians* (2023-Present), *The Angry Birds Movie 3* (Upcoming)

Walker Scobell gained immediate recognition for his role opposite Ryan Reynolds in the 2022 Netflix film *The Adam Project*, where his performance was widely praised for capturing Reynolds' mannerisms. His casting as Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, was a major announcement, fulfilling author Rick Riordan’s desire for a younger, more age-appropriate lead. Scobell’s natural charisma and comedic timing have made him a fan favorite in the new adaptation.

Leah Jeffries (Annabeth Chase, Disney+)

Biography Profile:

• Full Name: Leah Sava Jeffries
• Born: Detroit, Michigan, United States
• Breakout Role: Lola Lyon in *Empire* (2015)
• Notable Roles: Feature film debut in *Beast* (2022)
• Current Projects: *Percy Jackson and the Olympians* (2023-Present)

Leah Jeffries, the new Annabeth Chase, is an accomplished young actress from Detroit. She made her acting debut in the musical drama series *Empire* and later starred in the action-thriller film *Beast* alongside Idris Elba. Her casting was a significant move toward increasing diversity in the fantasy genre, a decision strongly supported by author Rick Riordan, who praised her talent and ability to embody the character's intelligence and strength.

Aryan Simhadri (Grover Underwood, Disney+)

Biography Profile:

• Full Name: Aryan Simhadri
• Born: United States
• Notable Roles: Disney Channel Original Movie *Spin*, Netflix's *The Main Event*, Disney+’s *Cheaper By The Dozen* (2022)
• Current Projects: *Percy Jackson and the Olympians* (2023-Present)

Aryan Simhadri, who takes on the role of the loyal satyr Grover Underwood, is known for his work across film and television, including the Disney+ remake of *Cheaper By The Dozen* where he starred alongside Zach Braff and Gabrielle Union. His extensive background in voice acting and his leading roles in various Disney projects made him a strong choice for the comedic and protective role of Grover.

Gods and Mentors: The Ultimate Cast Comparison (2010 vs. Disney+)

One of the most striking differences between the two adaptations is the casting of the powerful adult figures—the Olympians and the Camp Half-Blood mentors. The Disney+ series features a star-studded ensemble of acclaimed actors, many of whom are known for their strong dramatic or comedic presence, offering a fresh take on the classic Greek Gods.

The table below highlights the key adult roles in both the 2010 film and the recent Disney+ series, showcasing the shift in casting choices and the high-caliber talent involved in both productions.

Character Role	2010 Film Cast (The Lightning Thief)	Disney+ Series Cast (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Percy Jackson	Logan Lerman	Walker Scobell
Annabeth Chase	Alexandra Daddario	Leah Jeffries
Grover Underwood	Brandon T. Jackson	Aryan Simhadri
Zeus (King of the Gods)	Sean Bean	Lance Reddick
Poseidon (God of the Sea)	Kevin McKidd	Toby Stephens
Chiron / Mr. Brunner	Pierce Brosnan	Glynn Turman
Hades (God of the Underworld)	N/A (Uncredited portrayal)	Jay Duplass
Medusa	Uma Thurman	Jessica Parker Kennedy
Dionysus / Mr. D	N/A (Character not prominently featured)	Jason Mantzoukas
Ares (God of War)	N/A (Character not prominently featured)	Adam Copeland

Notable Casting Shifts and Topical Authority

The casting of the Olympian Gods in the Disney+ series is a major point of discussion, bringing in actors with immense topical authority and unique approaches to the roles. * Zeus and Poseidon: The late Lance Reddick (*John Wick*, *The Wire*) was cast as Zeus, the most powerful of the Olympians, bringing a commanding presence to the role previously held by Sean Bean (*Game of Thrones*). Toby Stephens (*Black Sails*) plays Poseidon, Percy's father, a role that was played by Kevin McKidd (*Grey's Anatomy*) in the 2010 film. * Chiron and Mr. D: The centaur Chiron, who disguises himself as Mr. Brunner, is played by Emmy-winner Glynn Turman (*The Wire*, *Fargo*), a significant departure from Pierce Brosnan's portrayal. The inclusion of the grumpy camp director, Dionysus (Mr. D), played by comedian Jason Mantzoukas (*Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, *The Good Place*), is a nod to the book's faithful adaptation, as the character was largely absent from the 2010 film. * The Returning Actor: A fascinating detail that bridges the two adaptations is the return of actor Julian Richings. He played Charon, the ferryman of the dead, in the 2010 film. In the Disney+ series, Richings returns to the *Percy Jackson* world to play Procrustes, the Stretch-Man. This small detail provides a unique connection between the two versions of *The Lightning Thief*. The casting of both the 2010 film and the Disney+ series demonstrates the enduring appeal of the *Percy Jackson* universe. While the original cast members have leveraged their roles into diverse and successful careers, the new cast brings a fresh, book-accurate energy to the beloved story, ensuring the world of demigods continues to captivate audiences for years to come.