Courtney B. Vance to Play Zeus in ‘Percy Jackson’ Series After Lance Reddick’s Passing

In the latest casting update by Variety for ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians,’ Courtney B. Vance will be stepping into the celestial shoes of Zeus for the upcoming season.

The role was previously held by Lance Reddick, whose unexpected death left both fans and the production team in mourning.

Reddick, remembered for his dynamic presence, had completed filming for the first season where he portrayed the god who accuses Percy of stealing his lightning bolt, sparking a thrilling quest across the nation.

Vance, an acclaimed actor known for his roles in ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and ‘The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story,’ expressed his excitement about joining the series.

He noted, ‘There are few moments in an actor’s career when you can honestly say that you’re about to board a series that has such a devoted fan base and is based on a wildly successful book series.’ He added a touching tribute, stating, ‘I’ll be giving my brother, Lance Reddick, who left us way too soon, a heavenly hug.‘

Dan Shotz, co-showrunner, shared his sentiments about Reddick, describing him as both a fierce and gentle talent whose loss was deeply felt by the team. ‘Finding someone to step into this role going forward was not an easy task, but when icon Courtney B. Vance answered the call, we knew the Gods were listening,’ Shotz said.

The second season, set to air in 2025, is based on ‘The Sea of Monsters,’ the second book in Rick Riordan’s popular series.

The storyline follows Percy as he returns to Camp Half-Blood, uncovering that his world has drastically changed.

He finds out he has a Cyclops for a brother and that his friend Grover has gone missing, with the camp now under siege from the forces of Kronos.

This sets Percy on a journey to the Sea of Monsters where a secret fate awaits the son of Poseidon.

Along with Vance, new cast members include Andra Day as Athena, Daniel Diemer as Tyson, and Timothy Simons as Tantalus, adding to the anticipation for the new season.

Riordan, who co-created the series, expressed his thrill at having Vance on board, calling it ‘truly a gift from the gods.’

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