Percy Jackson Creator Blasts Racist Comments and Bullying Against New Annabeth Actress

Disney had just announced the casting for their adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, but there has admittedly been some backlash when it came to the more inclusive casting of Annabeth and Grover.

While bullying and ‘woke’ criticism are always expected with any property enjoyed by straight white men, Percy Jackson writer Rick Riordan won’t be taking any of it, and has written a statement on his official site condemning anyone who wants to bully the franchise’s new Annabeth, Leah Jeffries.

He writes:

If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me. You have no one else to blame. Whatever else you take from this post, we should be able to agree that bullying and harassing a child online is inexcusably wrong. As strong as Leah is, as much as we have discussed the potential for this kind of reaction and the intense pressure this role will bring, the negative comments she has received online are out of line. They need to stop. Now.

Riordan also goes on about how extensive the search for a new Annabeth was, and how any negative reactions to her casting aren’t really about accuracy, but straight-up racism. He says, “You are judging her appropriateness for this role solely and exclusively on how she looks. She is a Black girl playing someone who was described in the books as white… Friends, that is racism.”

Riordan actually really gets into it, and you can read the full statement here.

A release date has yet to be announced for Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+.