Percy Jackson and the Olympians becomes a smash hit on Disney Plus
Percy Jackson and the Olympians becomes a smash hit on Disney Plus – The platform’s new star series conquers the hearts of the public.
By Megan Sauer
Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrived on Disney Plus a few days ago and quickly became one of the most viewed titles on the platform.
The studio went all out with this ambitious adaptation and the effort is paying off. According to Variety, the first chapter has achieved incredible numbers, transforming the series into a complete streaming success.
The haters will surely be very disappointed.
According to the information, episode one of the series, “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher,” released on December 19, accumulated 13.3 million viewers in its first six days (taking into account Disney consumers Plus and Hulu).
The above places the series above other products such as the premiere of the third season of The Mandalorian, the second Loki, Ahsoka’s first and the first of Secret Invasion, also surpasses the releases of the second season of The Bear and the third of Only Murders in The Building.
Multi-million dollar idea
The Percy Jackson literary saga, written by Rick Riordan, has left a significant impact on contemporary youth literature by revitalizing interest in Greek mythology among young readers.
Riordan manages to skillfully combine mythological elements with a modern and humorous narrative, creating an accessible and exciting universe for younger readers.
This fresh and creative approach has helped inspire a new generation of readers, connecting with them through endearing characters and inventive situations.
Furthermore, the saga has transcended its literary influence to become a cultural phenomenon.
It has generated film adaptations, television series and a considerable community of followers around the world.
Riordan’s work has demonstrated the power of youth literature to impact popular culture, while fostering curiosity and interest in classical mythology, thus contributing to the cultural and educational enrichment of his readers.
On the other hand, the Percy Jackson films, released a few years ago and starring Logan Lerman, failed to achieve the desired success mainly due to a series of creative and adaptation decisions that alienated fans of the literary saga.
The lack of fidelity to the source material, both in terms of character development and plot, generated discontent among fans, who found significant inconsistencies with Rick Riordan ‘s vision.
Furthermore, the choice to change key story elements and character aesthetics not only affected narrative coherence, but also left loyal readers dissatisfied.
Another factor that contributed to the films’ commercial and critical failure was the inevitable comparison with other successful fantasy genre franchises aimed at a similar audience.
The Percy Jackson films were released at a time when expectations for film adaptations of YA books were high, and comparisons to other, more successful franchises made the films’ flaws more apparent.
Ultimately, the lack of fidelity to the original work and the inability to positively differentiate itself from other similar productions contributed to fan disenchantment and the commercial failure of the Percy Jackson film franchise.
Netflix’s commercial strategy in acquiring literary sagas to adapt them into series is based on the recognition of the inherent value of already established stories.
By choosing popular literary sagas, the streaming platform ensures a pre-existing audience and a dedicated fan base, making it easier to attract subscribers and retain audiences.
Additionally, adapting books into series offers the chance to explore plots and characters in a deeper and more detailed way than movies, which can create a longer-lasting connection with viewers.
This strategy also allows Netflix to diversify its catalog and offer a variety of attractive content for different audiences. By adapting literary sagas, the platform can attract book fans and new viewers looking for rich and complex stories.
Additionally, the ability to produce multiple seasons based on a single literary saga contributes to the construction of an extensive narrative universe, which can foster long-term audience loyalty and establish long-lasting franchises in the streaming landscape.
