Yahoo News Percy Jackson showrunner explains casting challenge after Lance Reddick's death
Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunner Jon Steinberg has spoken about the casting challenge the show faces following Lance Reddick's sad passing.
The actor featured as Zeus in the final episode of season 1, where Percy got to meet his uncle face-to-face. As Reddick died in March last year, it became one of his final ever appearances.
Looking ahead, Steinberg has admitted that while Zeus is an important character, the creative team are finding the idea of recasting too difficult to consider for now.
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Speaking at the Television Critics Association winter press tour (via ScreenRant), Steinberg explained: "I don't think anybody's there yet. There's also just a little bit of denial, I think. That's something that we’re gonna have to deal with.
"But we're incredibly grateful for this character that he helped build and the presence that he created. I do not envy whoever has to step into his shoes."
Shortly after it was announced that Reddick had died, Percy Jackson novel writer Rick Riordan penned a tribute to the actor on his website.
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"It will be difficult working on those scenes in which Lance appears — not just because we mourn him, but because they will remind us of how much brilliance we have lost," he wrote last year.
"At least it's comforting to know that we'll be able to share that performance with Lance's millions of fans, and we will get to see his artistry in action one more time. As for me, I have trouble believing such a force of nature could ever really be gone.
"I will choose to think that maybe Mount Olympus simply had need of their king. Godspeed, Mr Reddick, and thank you."
Percy Jackson and the Olympians can be streamed on Disney+ now.
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