She doesnt look the way I always imagined.. Fan entitlement is far-reaching. But following last weeks announcement that actress Leah Sava Jeffries was cast as the series deuteragonist and love interest Annabeth Chase, (@camphalfblood) May 10, 2022. Meet the 'Percy Jackson' Series' Annabeth Chase! Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. Anyone can be a hero. Oops. Elba himself has described playing Heimdall as torture. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter & Sasha Calle Will Star In New Book to Movie Adaptation. IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. The conversation turned odious enough for the creative to create a post on his website calling for the end of the harassment the young actor has faced. A weekly roundup of the best things from Polygon. 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. Instead, it was about how audiences could not imagine Rue as anything but white, despite her being Black in the book. The anticipation for who would play Annabeth and Grover was even more excruciating after Percys announcement. Annabeth Chase Is Black Now, Deal With It: How Race-Bending Gives Way to Misogynoir. "The response to the casting of Leah has been overwhelmingly positive and joyous, as it should be. 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. She should not have to be strong in the face of blatant misogynoir by people who want to put her in her place or dim her shine. 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. Fans are already excited to see the young actress in the role, and Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan is also praising her. Rick Riordan, the author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, is speaking out against racist backlash from fans upset with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Disney+ adaptation. She also starred in the comedy Rel on the same network. Let us know down in the comments! If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. In the movie adaptions of Rick's book, Annabeth is played by white actress Alexandra Daddario. How The Mandalorian Wrote Out Gina Carano Is Cara Dune Still Alive? Lets not even get into the complete disregard of the story from the source material. Thompson remarked that she had to weather the storm and just act through it. New York, Percy Jackson film vet Alexandra Daddario has weighed in. They said that Clarisse was white and built. The common narrative being used to justify the backlash against Jeffries is that she is not blonde. Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase. 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. Anyone can be a hero. Naturally, rampant anticipation followed the announcement. This was the moment of redemption that everyone had been waiting for. !May 10, 2022. By Petrana Radulovic May 5, 2022, 1:48pm EDT Image: Disney The main trio of Percy Jackson and the Olympians has officially been cast for the upcoming Disney Plus 0. People could not wrap their heads around a Black figure in Norse mythology the same mythos in which Loki gives birth to a horse. 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 ", "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. She revealed in an Instagram live session that she was even driven to delete her TikTok account after receiving such hateful messages. Actress Alexandra Daddario has weighed in on the backlash against Leah Jeffries casting as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Disney+ show Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Uncle Rick officially welcomes them to the Percy Jackson cast. - May 10, 2022 01:25 pm EDT. They do not necessarily reflect or represent the opinions of any part of Disney, the TV show, the production team, or the Jeffries family. Jenna Ortega Starring in New Movie with The Weeknd, Cady Heron's Mom Has Been Cast for 'Mean Girls' Movie Musical. 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. In fact, this should be the norm. 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. newsletter, Destiny 2 power level guide, all caps and Powerful and Pinnacle gear sources explained, The best way to increase your Power level in Destiny 2s new Lightfall expansion, Marvel still doesnt know what to do with its most popular hero, Spider-Man, Spider-Man endures, almost in spite of many Spider-Man stories, Sign up for the Dior herself has mentioned that she is in the gym, as if that matters. There is power in plurality. Two-thirds of the main trio would no longer be white like they had once been in the books. How The Mandalorian Wrote Out Gina Carano Is Cara Dune Still Alive? 2013 saw the release of a sequel that garnered an even worse reception. For them, a world where a child of Athena is not white cannot exist because all of Athenas children are blonde. and The Doobie Brothers have nothing in common - except great books out this week, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. As soon as you see her on the screen, you will know what I mean. Her story is about how she feels ignored, underestimated, and abandoned. Who Is Leah Sava Jeffries? Its a shame such posts need to be written, but they doLeah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeths strength. It was groundbreaking, yes, but calls of gingercide and intense hate were thrown at Patton. "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. 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? And before you resort to the old kneejerk reaction I am not racist! lets examine that statement too. She is a Black girl playing someone who was described in the books as whitethat is racism.#LeahIsOurAnnabeth Read Ricks statement at the link below:https://t.co/DGeOzrjZuw. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief hit theaters in 2010. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. ", Later in the letter, Riordan argues, "The core message of Percy Jackson has always been that difference is strength. Its a 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. "These thoughts are mine alone. They also cannot imagine a little Black girl playing a hero. She is a Black girl playing someone who was described in the books as white. 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. Muscles can be built. They do not necessarily reflect or represent the opinions of any part of Disney, the TV show, the production team, or the Jeffries family. Her story is one of constant heartbreak, but also unflinching resilience and triumphs. When reading the reactions to his casting most of the comments were about how genius Riordans casting was except for a few expected trolls. In the series, we follow 12-year-old Percy Jackson as he stumbles into the world of Greek gods and monsters. We did that. Percy Jackson creator Rick Riordan had to pen a letter supporting Leah Jeffries after she had been cast as Annabeth Chase in the Disney+ series. In fact, when the author himself says that you have misunderstood the character as he wrote her, then you know youre wrong. His blonde hair was a negligible non-issue that was largely brushed aside. You refuse to believe her selection could have been based on merit. Take a look at her message below: Leah Jeffries is going to be an incredible Annabeth!! The response to Diors casting is colored by her being an antagonist, meanwhile, Leah is playing a hero. Rick Riordan and the rest of the Percy Jackson crew immediately came out against the racist trolls. 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. In fact, it happens almost every time a traditionally white character is played by a Black actress. This is something that other studios have failed to do, but it should not be commended. Rick Riordan will not stand for any racism toward or bullying of the new "Percy Jackson" cast. They need to stop. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. This was also one of those days when I realized that my childhood interest, one of my most favorite things, was shared by so many different people. 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 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 areoutof line. 'It is not racist to want an actor who is accurate to the books description of the character!' You didn't learn anything from them," the creator notes. The fact of the matter is that people should not be harassing Leah Jeffries and getting her TikTok removed because they feel a disconnect between her and a fictional book character. Something went wrong. And it seems for the most part that fans (and Alexandra Daddario) cant wait to see Leah Jeffries play everyones favorite daughter of Athena. You can keep up with Leah Sava Jeffries by following her on Instagram @leahsavajeffries! By Allison Schonter - May 12, 2022 09:18 am EDT. You didnt learn anything from them. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The movie is slated for an August 2022 release. Annabeth must work ten times harder than everyone around her to be seen as powerful and worthy of being a hero. "If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. 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). At times, her character gets into situations that are not pretty. Lets not forget that mermaids are literally fictional creatures living under the sea. Other notable castings include Glynn Turman as Chiron, Timm Sharp as Gabe Ugliano, and Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue. Author Rick Riordan, who wrote the original Percy Jackson novels, released a statement on his website defending the young actress. Annabeth When I was 10 years old, I discovered a book series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. On Tuesday, the author issued a lengthy statement defending the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. Rick Riordan, writer and author of the popular fantasy novel Percy Jackson, is speaking out against critics angered by the casting of Leah Jeffries. Percy Jackson & the Olympians fans showed their more controversial side when Leah Jeffries was cast as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Disney+ TV series. When the fan base learned that Disney+ was picking up their beloved franchise for a second shot at on-screen adaptation, they were ecstatic. You can read Rick Riordans full statement here. You either are not aware, or have dismissed, Leahs years of hard work honing her craft, her talent, her tenacity, her focus, her screen presence. An open casting call was put out where people could submit auditions regardless of race. Please enter a valid email and try again. Ugliano, and Percy Jackson '' cast playing a hero else you take from post! Account after receiving such hateful messages they had once been in the books as white session... As Gabe Ugliano, and Percy Jackson as he stumbles into the annabeth chase actress 2022 disregard of the comments were how! 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