With thePercy Jackson and the Olympianstelevision series releasing in early 2024, lovers of the books have been dying to know who would play the role of Poseidon. Fans of thePercy Jackson & the Olympians(PJO) book series have been debating all over TikTok on who will be part of the full cast. There were many great options, but as of January 2023, author Rick Riordan finally announced that Toby Stephens would be our god of the sea.
Stephens was a surprising pick to some. He has played a variety of roles from Gustav Graves in the James Bond filmDie Another Dayto John Robinson inLost in Space. He was even the voice of James Bond during the radio plays. However, it is his experience with the ocean during his four seasons ofBlack Sailsthat makes him the perfect actor to play Poseidon, God of the Sea. While Riordan made a great pick for this character (and all of his characters so far), we cannot help but wonder who else would fit the part. So, who else could have played Poseidon?
Fan Favorite Logan Lerman
Logan Lerman was a popular choice byPJOfans because he was the original live-action Percy Jackson. He first played the son of the sea god back in 2010 in the movie adaptationsPercy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning ThiefandPercy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. He also played Charlie inThe Perks of Being a Wallflowerand is starring in the television showHuntersas Jonah Heidelbaum.
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He began his acting career at just eight years old back in 2000. He has grown and perfected his acting craft over two decades. Even though Lerman, at one point, grew his hair long enough to almost look the part of Poseidon, there isa reason he was not cast as such.
Even before Stephens was announced to play Poseidon, Lerman stated that he had no interest in portraying the sea god. During an interview withEsquire, he said. “I do get asked a lot about it, and I hate to disappoint and be like, no, I don’t know anything, and I’m not involved, but that’s the truth.” He even pointed out that he did not feel like he was old enough to play Poseidon. Which, even at age 31, is understandable with his features.
Honestly, we are better off not seeing Lerman as Poseidon. We would just be seeing an older Percy teaching a younger Percy instead of the god of the sea. While he claims he has no knowledge about the PJO show, fans are still hoping he willmake a cameoin the series.
Paul Rudd For Character Accuracy
If any actor could physically look like the character of Poseidon, then Paul Rudd would be a solid choice. Not only does he have black hair and green eyes, but he hasplayed a variety of fatherly figure charactersduring his acting career. Currently, he is known to Marvel fans as the comic book character Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character Scott Lang is a loving (albeit criminal) father who is just trying to right his wrongs. No father is perfect, and Rudd plays that part very well. With the gods of Olympus not being entirely present in their children’s lives, the Big Three especially, Rudd would have transitioned into that type of father naturally.
Along with Logan Lerman, Rudd also had a starring role inThe Perks of Being a Wallfloweras Charlie’s teacher Bill Anderson. He was someone that Charlie respected and looked up to, even going as far as to be considered a friend. While the gods are not always friendly people, Poseidon in the Riordanverse is one of the kinder ones to the demigods. At the very least, he is honest about his intentions. He helps guide Percy throughout his journey even though he is not physically present, and Rudd would have fit that personality very well.
Hugh Jackman With That Powerful Physic
While Poseidon is considered the “chill” god of the Big Three, he still has a powerful aura around him. Like the sea, he can either be nice and calm like waves or a raging storm. One actor that fits this description well is Hugh Jackman. Jackman has played a range of characters with power in either title, physicality, atmosphere, or having powerful abilities. The first character he has played that comes to mind isLogan/Wolverine from theX-Menfilms. He has also voiced monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing in two video games and portrayed him in the 2004Van Helsingmovie. We also know just how powerful his voice is from his performance as P.T. Barnum inThe Greatest Showman, on top of beginning his career in theater.
Related:Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Moments We Hope to See From the Books
Poseidon is one of the Big Three and one of the most powerful Olympians. He has full control over the oceans, created horses, andcan cause earthquakeswith a snap of his fingers. His mood changes the flow of the sea, and he is not above sinking a ship if the captain makes him angry. Percy has witnessed that quick change of anger to calm in the fifth book when he sat on his father’s throne. Hugh Jackman certainly would have embodied this prestige ruler of the seas.
With Stephens as Poseidon and Lance Reddick joining the cast as Zeus, we now have seven out of the twelve Olympians. The full main cast for season one is now complete. Though some fans were baffled by the choice of the actor portraying Poseidon, most are still excited to see their favorite book series have primarily accurate casting in age. We are in for a storm with these amazing actors. Who’s ready to put on their orange t-shirts and make their way to Camp Half-Blood in 2024?
