Percy Jackson Creators Share Text Message from the Late Lance Reddick’s Wife and Discuss Recasting Zeus

“I don’t envy whoever ends up having to step into his shoes,” said co-creator and executive producer Jon Steinberg

The late Lance Reddick comes first for fans Percy Jackson and the Olympians after the recent first season finale paid tribute to him in the title card at the end of the episode.

Reddick, who died at age 60 on March 17, was also the first topic discussed at the Television Critics Association winter press tour panel for the Disney+ series on Saturday.

A person in the audience asked the creators of the show, which Disney+ announced on February 7th that it had been renewed for a second season, who would play Reddick in future episodes. Reddick played Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder who is convinced that Percy (played by Walker Scobell) has stolen his lightning.

Co-creator and executive producer Jon Steinberg said there was “a little bit of denial” about the process of replacing Reddick.

“As for Lance, I don’t think anyone is there yet. I think we have a minute, I mean, there’s also so little denial that it’s something we’re going to have to deal with,” Steinberg said. “But we’re incredibly grateful for this character that he helped build and this presence that he created, and I don’t envy whoever ends up having to take his place.”

Dan Shotz and Jon Steinberg.

Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty

Keanu Reeves mourns ‘Beloved’ ‘John Wick’ costar Lance Reddick: ‘Deeply saddened and heartbroken’

Fellow executive producer Dan Shotz also said they received a text message from Reddick’s wife, Stephanie Reddick, about her thoughts on Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

“We recently got a message from his wife, who said he would have been proud to have seen it and the work,” Shotz said. “It was a really difficult situation and we miss him a lot. But the very fact that the world saw him in this iconic role will live on forever.”

Prior to Percy Jackson, Reddick’s last TV role, the actor played Charon in John Wick film series and achieved unforgettable roles in American Horror Story, Bosch, Tassels and Wire.

‘John Wick’ stars, ‘The Wire’ and other celebrities pay tribute to Lance Reddick after his death at 60

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Reddick had died a week before John Wick: Chapter 4 released in 2023.

After his death, his wife paid tribute to him with a black and white photo on Instagram, thanking everyone who loved him and his acting in the caption of the post.

Cast and crew of ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’.

Alan Chapman/Dave Bennett/WireImage

“Lance was taken from us too soon,” she wrote. “Thank you for all your overwhelming love, support and beautiful stories shared on these platforms over the past day. I see your messages and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have them. And thousands Fate players who played in a special tribute to Lance, thank you. Lance loved you as much as he loved the game.”

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Source: HIS Education