, Leah shared on Instagram. If you dont get that, if youre still upset about the casting of this marvelous trio, then it doesnt matter how many times you have read the books. You didnt learn anything from them. The show is based on the best-selling middle grade series, which takes palce in a world where Greek gods, heroes, and monsters are real. First, let me be clear I am speaking here only for myself," Riordan clarified. The actress, who is Black, is set to star as one of the leads in the upcoming adaptation set to release on Disney+. Its a shame such posts need to be written, but they do. WebAlexandra Anna Daddario (born March 16, 1986) is an American actress most notable for her portrayal of Annabeth Chase in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. In fact, this should be the norm. Saying I am not racist! is simply declaring that you deny your own biases and refuse to work on them. You refuse to believe her selection could have been based on merit. The trio had been finalized and they will soon begin filming in March. The most watched K-pop music videos of the year have been revealed. The character could not be Biracial. You are judging her appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. Web11 May 2022 by Valerie Complex Deadline Actress Alexandra Daddario has weighed in on the backlash against Leah Jeffries casting as Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Disney+ show Leah brings so much energy and enthusiasm to this role, so much of Annabeth's strength. What is it about black girls that make people so ready and willing to tear them down or put them in their place?. Alexandra Daddario hasnt been the only Percy Jackson-related vet to support Leah Jeffries. She is a Black girl playing someone who was described in the books as white. Representation will not bring us liberation, but it is nice to think about the little Black girls that will get to see themselves as one of the most powerful characters in the series. Even now, Thompson still faces intense criticism while Elba was eventually accepted as Heimdall. History once again repeats itself with Leah Jeffries. They said there was no way that she could be Starfire, a fictional alien from a make-believe planet. This is not unique to the Percy Jackson fandom. And before you resort to the old kneejerk reaction I am not racist! lets examine that statement too. A number of fans objected to the African-American actress being cast in the role. ! the actress wrote of her successor in a Twitter post earlier this week. 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. Friends, that is racism.. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Another critique Ive seen about the Annabeth casting has been why race-bend one character when we can create new Black characters? I counter with this question: why must they be mutually exclusive? All people. When I was 10 years old, I discovered a book series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. Muscles can be built. While Walker does not have Percys signature Black hair, Riordan assured everyone that he embodied Percy the best. 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Yara Shahidi Stars as Tinker Bell In New 'Peter Pan & Wendy' Trailer - Watch Here! Thompson remarked that she had to weather the storm and just act through it. "The response to the casting of Leah has been overwhelmingly positive and joyous, as it should be," Riordan wrote on his website. Fan entitlement is far-reaching. Who Is Leah Sava Jeffries? ", Related:Joshua Cohen's 'The Netanyahus,' more awarded 2022 Pulitzer Prizes in books, drama, music. Elba himself has described playing Heimdall as torture. On Tuesday, the author issued a lengthy statement defending the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. ", In addition to announcing Jeffries as Annabeth, Variety also reported "Cheaper by the Dozen" star Aryan Simhadri will play satyr Grover.Walker Scobell from "The Adam Project" had already been announced as series protagonist Percy Jackson., In May 2020, Riordan confirmed onTwitterthat a live-action series based on hisbooks about kidsdescended from Greek gods would be coming to Disney+., "Rest assured that (my wife) Becky & I will be involved in person in every aspect of the show," he wrote inthe announcement. "The response to the casting of Leah has been overwhelmingly positive and joyous, as it should be. Nevertheless, it is as interesting as it is disturbing that these critics have no problem with a non-demigod role going to someone who isnt white. However, no one is saying the same thing about Tim Sharp. 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. 0:00. "This post is specifically for those who have a problem with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase. They claim that Annabeths story was about overcoming the dumb blonde stereotype in a world full of brunettes. 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. IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. 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. We took a year to do this process thoroughly and find the best of the best. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. You have no one else to blame, he said. 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. But the author added not every response has been supportive. We all do. 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. Alexandra Daddario originally portrayed the role of Annabeth in Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, as well as its sequel The Sea of Monsters. And by the way, these criticisms have come from across the political spectrum, right and left.. 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. 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. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, Percy Jackson Disney+ Series Sets The Adam Project Breakout Walker Scobell in Lead Role, Alexandra Daddario Talks Percy Jackson Disney+ Series and the Chances of Her Return (Video). ", You are judging [Leah]s appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. Here's What You Can Do To Fix Them, Charlize Theron and Jisoo Wow at Diors Fall-Winter 2023 Womens Show in Paris, Mayfair Witches: Jack Huston Talks Show vs. Book Lasher in Season 1 Finale, 'Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches' Season 1 Finale Recap: The Prophecy Is All Relative, The Mysterious Benedict Society Canceled By Disney+ After 2 Seasons, Why 23 Jump Street Never Happened (Is There Still A Chance? 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. His blonde hair was a negligible non-issue that was largely brushed aside. last updated May 12, 2022 Percy Jackson film vet Alexandra Daddario has weighed in. Author Rick Riordan, who wrote the original Percy Jackson novels, released a statement on his website defending the young actress. He stated his intent to cast the series without regard for factors like ethnicity and gender, and that Leah Jeffries was the best actress to embody Annabeths strength. Leah is exactly the way I imagined Annabeth in the books: smart, strong and courageous, a true daughter of Athena who has zero patience for the foolishness of a certain Seaweed Brain, Rick shared on his website. They need to stop. She has also always been Black to me. Next, on June 21, 2022, Variety announced three additional When reading the reactions to his casting most of the comments were about how genius Riordans casting was except for a few expected trolls. 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. WebAnnabeth Chase is a Greek demigod, daughter of the goddess Athena and professor Frederick Chase, and the cousin of Norse demigod Magnus Chase. Leah won the role of Annabeth out of ten thousand other girls. The main trio of Percy Jackson and the Olympians has officially been cast for the upcoming Disney Plus show. In the book, Gabe is also described as fat. By Aaron Perine - May 10, 2022 01:25 pm EDT 0 Percy Jackson creator Rick Riordan had to pen a letter supporting Leah Jeffries after she had been cast as Annabeth 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. So, want to know more about Leah? Shes real and fleshed out. It is worth noting that in the book Annabeth is described as having blonde hair, Percy is described as having black hair, and Grover is described as having brown hair. But thats another article altogether.) In the replies to that announcement, there were people commenting on her race and body type. She doesnt look the way I always imagined.. We did that. The anticipation for who would play Annabeth and Grover was even more excruciating after Percys announcement. He stated his intent to cast the series without regard for factors like ethnicity and gender, and that Leah Jeffries was the best actress to embody Annabeths strength. Riordan also called out the racism displayed by fans, and declared it to be the real reason behind the bullying. Why can we not have both brand new characters and race-bend whatever characters we want? 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. What did you think about his statement? 'But I am not racist,'you say. Leah Sava Jeffries has an exciting new role she will be playing Annabeth Chase in the upcoming Percy Jackson and the Olympians series! May 10, 2022 Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase This post is specifically for those who have a problem with the casting of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. 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