Casting Athena & 10 Other New Characters For Percy Jackson & The Olympians Season 2

Summary

• Alexandra Shipp could be a great choice to portray the complex character of Athena in
  Percy Jackson
  season 2.
• Gaten Matarazzo’s adorkable charm makes him an ideal fit for the role of Percy’s half-brother Tyson.
• Jeffery Dean Morgan’s versatility as an actor could make him a great choice to play the humorous yet terrifying villain Polyphemus.

With season 2 of the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians on the horizon, the producers will need to cast many new characters from Rick Riordan’s novels. Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1 featured new talent as the demigods, the half-human descendants of the Greek gods. The younger, relatively unknown actors shared the screen with some industry veterans, including Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hermes and the late Lance Reddick as Zeus.

While season 1 follows the events of Riordan’s novel The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 will presumably be based on the next book, The Sea of Monsters. In season 2, Percy (Walker Scobell) and Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries) will find themselves on a mission to rescue their friend Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri) from a mythological monster and retrieve an ancient artifact needed to protect Camp Half-Blood. Along the way, there will be plenty more gods and monsters – likely played by some of the film and TV industry’s finest actors.

11 Alexandra Shipp As Athena

Notable Roles: Kim Woodruff In Straight Outta Compton (2015); Author Barbie In Barbie (2023).

Percy does not meet Athena until the third novel in Riordan’s series, The Titan’s Curse. However, she will probably appear next season. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and Annabeth’s mother, is an immeasurably complicated character who is always considering several different strategies in her head. Fans have proposed stunt-casting Athena with Alexandra Daddario (Annabeth’s movie actress) or type-casting her with Gal Gadot.

However, the show would probably benefit from a lesser-known, unexpected casting choice who can convey Athena’s complexities without being weighed down by audience expectations. Alexandra Shipp is an underrated actress who starred in Tick, Tick…Boom!, Straight Outta Compton, Barbie, and Fox’s X-Men movies. While Shipp’s character Storm in X-Men is similar to Athena, her heartrending delivery in Tick, Tick…Boom! proves that she is capable of much more. Shipp’s acting history demonstrates how she could embody Athena’s shifting and calculated persona.

Athena is an incredibly intelligent character who thinks through each situation she finds herself faced with, determining the most logical approach. Shipp has demonstrated these qualities in her roles as the supportive yet practical Susan in Tick, Tick…Boom! as well as in playing the version of Barbie who is the first to be freed from the Kens’ brainwashing in Barbie. Even in her role in the rom-com Anyone But You, Shipp was effective as a keen strategist. Some other strong and intelligent actors who could pull off the role include Emma Watson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Brie Larson.

10 Gaten Matarazzo As Tyson

Notable Roles: Dustin Henderson In Stranger Things (2016-2025).

Tyson is Percy’s extremely friendly Cyclops half-brother, who grows on Percy and Annabeth despite annoying them at first. Gaten Matarazzo is the ideal actor to cast as Tyson because he has perfectly played Dustin, the most adorkable member of the Stranger Things cast, for years. Matarazzo is older than Tyson is in Sea of Monsters (in the same pre-teen age range as Percy and his friends), but Matarazzo would still work for the role. Tyson is described as being much taller than humans the same age as him and probably appears older.

Tyson is sometimes seen as a dimmer character compared to some of his friends. He is clumsy and can be childish at times, but he also proves to have a big heart and cares deeply about his comrades. While Matarazzo’s character of Dustin in Stranger Things is rather intelligent, he can be a bit goofy and awkward at times which fits the character of Tyson well.

There are also some other great options for actors who can capture that immature, dim-witted, yet lovable comedic style of Tyson as a character. Julian Dennison excelled at playing such a character in Taika Waititi’s The Hunt for the Wilderpeople while Nolan Gould played the oblivious Luke Dunphy on Modern Family.

9 Luke Evans As Argus

Notable Roles: Owen Shaw In Fast & Furious 6 (2013); Vlad In Dracula Untold (2014).

Argus is the head of security at Camp Half-Blood who is notably absent from season 1 – but it is not too late to introduce him. In Sea of Monsters, Chiron (Glynn Turman) and Argus are blamed for poisoning Thalia’s tree and are fired from their positions. Including Argus in season 2 could help convey the urgency of the situation. The campers would be even more let down if two characters beloved to them were not present.

Argus looks like a regular person, but he is a giant and has a hundred eyes on his body. Luke Evans would be great as Argus and has shown interest in different genres and characters. Evans plays a more serious character in the Fast & Furious movies, which would probably be Argus’ personality on the show. Additionally, Evans’ history of fantasy movies, including The Hobbit and Dracula Untold, suggests that he might be interested in appearing in Percy Jackson.

Argus has a strong presence, but he is somewhat of a strong silent type as well, not speaking very often. Evans can pull off the brooding “man of few words” type of character equally well while there are also some other characters who might fit that role effectively. Joel Kinnaman is an actor who has a strong presence and recently starred in the dialogue-free action movie Silent Night. Actor Sam Spruell also recently earned acclaim for his stoic performance as Ole Munch in season 5 of Fargo.

8 Bill Skarsgård As Tantalus

Notable Roles: Pennywise In It (2017); The Marquis In John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023).

Tantalus replaces Chiron as activities director at Camp Half-Blood when Chiron is suspected of poisoning Thalia’s tree. Tantalus has a somewhat generic description in the books but is a sadistic instructor, and Bill Skarsgård has proven his ability to play a monster several times. He plays Pennywise in the recent It movies and a more suave villain in John Wick: Chapter 4.

Both of these villainous roles seem to fit the characteristics of Tantalus well, making Skarsgård a strong choice for the role. Pennywise was the kind of sadistic monster who took pleasure in watching people suffer and tormenting his victims. Meanwhile, Marquis from John Wick 4 was more of a villainous operative, looking to outsmart his enemies with his strategic mind. Both are aspects that could be reflected in Tantalus.

With the vague description of the character, there are also some who view him as an older character which would allow for some other interesting actors to take over the role. Mark Hamill is known to have given one of the defining versions of Joker in Batman: The Animated Series and it would be a lot of fun to see him embrace a truly villainous role in a live-action movie. Tim Blake Nelson is another alluring character actor who can be quite compelling in creepy villainous roles like this.

7 Chris Rock As Blackjack

Notable Roles: Marty In Madagascar (2005), Andre Allen In Top Five (2014)

Blackjack is a Pegasus that Percy frees as he and Annabeth voyage through the Sea of Monsters. Blackjack then promises to always help Percy and assists him in many future quests. All of Blackjack’s interactions with Percy are nothing short of hilarious – which is why Disney should look for a comedian to voice him. Chris Rock is, of course, one of the most celebrated comedians and has voice acting experience from the Madagascar movies. This kind of approach would work out great for the informal and funny way Blackjack talks.

However, Rock also recently gave an excellent performance in the drama Rustin and his acting abilities in different genres should not be underestimated. These more complex performances could be fitting for the more serious aspects of Blackjack’s personality, such as his undying loyalty to Percy.

Apart from Rock, there are a number of other comedians who might fit the role well. Kevin Hart is always a popular choice for roles like these, having already lent his voice to animated movies like DC League of Superpets and The Secret Live of Pets. John Mulaney might also be a fun choice with his more laidback and sarcastic tone which he has used in voice work like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.

6 Sonoya Mizuno As Circe

Notable Roles: Caitlin In La La Land (2016); Mysaria In House of the Dragon (2022-Present).

Sonoya Mizuno appeared as supporting characters in several movies before landing the role of Mysaria in House of the Dragon. Mysaria is a mistress of spies; she is mysterious, cunning, and at least partially motivated by a desire for justice. Mysaria is not unlike Circe from The Odyssey, whom Percy and Annabeth also meet in the second book when they come across her spa in the Sea of Monsters.

What will define Mizuno’s (or another actor’s) performance as Circe will be if the writers find time to explore her backstory as they did for Medusa (Jessica Parker Kennedy) in season 1. In House of the Dragon, Mysaria demands that Otto Hightower outlaw pit fights between children in King’s Landing. Mizuno could deliver a compelling monologue as Circe defends her practice of turning men into pigs as a form of self-defense (she has moved on to guinea pigs in Percy Jackson because they are easier to take care of).

Season 2 of House of the Dragon continues to show why Mizuno’s performance as Mysaria makes her ideal for the role of Circe. Mysaria is a character caught between two sides in a conflict, and despite promises made to her, doesn’t trust either side. Circe is another character who has a lot of mistrust and can be cynical about humanity. Other actors who could pull off the role include Natalie Dormer and Eiza González, both of whom could bring out the glamor in the character.

5 Jensen Ackles As Blackbeard

Notable Roles: Dean Winchester In Supernatural (2005-2020); Soldier Boy In The Boys (2019-Present)

When Percy and Annabeth are trapped at Circe’s spa, they discover that Circe has also imprisoned the historical pirate Blackbeard and his crew. Annabeth inadvertently frees the pirates while she and Percy are escaping. Whoever plays Blackbeard in Percy Jackson season 2 will have a brief window of time to make an impression. If Jensen Ackles brings the same energy he did for Dean Winchester’s most reckless, abrasive moments, he could pull it off. It’s easy to imagine him leading some kind of absurd charge to reclaim the Queen Anne’s Revenge.

Ackles further proved himself as a worthy candidate for the role when he stepped in to play Soldier Boy in The Boys. The scene-stealing performance allowed Ackles to play the villain while also being funny and entertaining, fitting nicely into the pirate vibe. If the role is going to be a small one, the series might be able to persuade some bigger names with Chris Hemsworth’s recent turn in Furiosa making him an obvious top contender. Ackles’ costar in The Boys, Karl Urban, also has the fun swashbuckling energy that would be ideal.

4 Jeffrey Dean Morgan As Polyphemus

Notable Roles: Negan Smith In The Walking Dead (2010-2022); Harvey Russell In Rampage (2018).

Jeffrey Dean Morgan gave a very dramatic and sinister performance as Negan in The Walking Dead, which is why the Percy Jackson producers might consider him to play another villain. Polyphemus, the Cyclops who fights Odysseus in Greek mythology, is a very different character from Negan. He is supposed to be terrifying yet ridiculous because he falls for the famous “Nobody” trick. However, Morgan is a skilled actor who has taken on a variety of other roles and could play a more humorous villain.

Despite not being the smartest guy in the room, Polyphemus carries himself with incredible arrogance. Morgan seems to have a lot of fun playing characters who think they are better than everyone else, including his memorable role as The Comedian in Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Watchmen. However, the show might also want to embrace some of Polyphemus’s more humorous characteristics and cast a comedic actor. Both Danny McBride and Paul Walter Hauser would be ideal as they excel at playing dim characters who have unearned self-confidence.

3 Isabela Merced As Thalia Grace

Notable Roles: Dora In Dora And The Lost City of Gold (2019); Rachel Cooper In Sweet Girl (2021).

As explained in season 1, Thalia Grace is the daughter of Zeus who lived on the run with Luke (Charlie Bushnell) and Annabeth before she was mortally wounded by monsters outside of Camp Half-Blood and her father turned her into a tree to save her life. Thalia is a stubborn and tough fighter and has a punk sense of style. In the books, her dark hair is always cut short.

With a pixie cut, Isabela Merced looks exactly like Thalia. Merced has been slowly building her repertoire as an action star in recent years. She could draw upon her experience playing energetic, adventure-savvy young women in Sweet Girl and Dora and the Lost City of Gold, as well as her upcoming role in Madame Web. Merced also showed an edgier side of herself in Sicario: Day of the Soldado which shows how effective she would be playing Thalia.

However, along with being a born fighter, Thalia is also brave and caring to her friends and loved ones. With Merced already stepping into the comic book world in Madame Web and also playing Hawkgirl in the upcoming Superman for the DCU, she has proven her hero chops. However, there are also some other great young hero types who would fit the role. Mckenna Grace played the rebellious type of character in Young Sheldon and a young her in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler from Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes would be a great choice.

2 Chosen Jacobs As Charles Beckendorf

Notable Roles: Mike Hanlon In It (2017); El In Sneakerella (2022).

Charles Beckendorf is a son of Hephaestus, who is a few years older than Percy and is friendly to everyone. He is a tough and intimidating character on the outside, but he proves himself to be a kind and caring person who works hard to better himself at every opportunity. Also, in contrast to his imposing nature, Cahrles can come off as quite shy, especially around Silena.

Chosen Jacobs would be a great choice to play Charles because of how the character recalls his past roles. Jacobs’ character Mike Hanlon is arguably the “Losers’ Club’s” most dependable member in IT and dependability is one of Charles’ characteristics. Jacobs does an amazing job portraying Mike as terrified, but Charles’ friendly and soft-spoken personality is closer to Jacobs’ character El in Sneakerella. El’s passion for designing sneakers also oddly resonates with Charles’ craftmanship.

Caleb McLaughlin also proves himself to be a strong choice for the role thanks to his performance as Lucas in Stranger Things. Like his friends on the show, Lucas is a bit of an outsider at school during the early seasons and doesn’t have a lot of self-confidence. However, he is a brave and caring hero who steps up when needed.

1 Freya Allan As Silena Beauregard

Notable Roles: The Witcher (2019-Present); Mae In Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024).

Silena Beauregard is a daughter of Aphrodite and Charles’ girlfriend. She is characterized as one of the kindest people at camp and is an adept fighter. The actor cast as her will need to be able to portray her complicated feelings about her shifting loyalties. Silena has dark hair in the books, but Freya Allan would be able to embody the character with any hair color.

Allan may be best known for playing Ciri in The Witcher TV show. Ciri is somewhat naïve in the first season but becomes more headstrong later while retaining a kind of inquisitive intelligence. This demonstrates how Allan could portray all aspects of Silena’s character. Allan further proved herself ready for such a role with her performance in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes where she played the strong and determined character of Mae.

Another actor who could take on the role is Angourie Rice, best known for her role as Betty in the MCU Spider-Man movies as well as Cady in 2024’s Mean Girls. Both roles show Rice as a nice and pleasant character who is also smart and can prove themselves under pressure, much like Silena. Isabela May is another option having impressed a lot of people with her role as Elsa Dutton in 1883. She played the character as someone who saw the beauty in the world and kindness in people but was ready to take on the darker aspects as well.