Merrick here...
Even though Harry wonders whether PERCY JACKSON's first film, THE LIGHTNING THIEF, may've made young boys cry (details HERE), the movie still pulled down around $226 million globally - that's a shitload of crying kids by my estimation. And, it now seems Fox 2000 may be interested in pushing forward with a big screen franchise.
Like THE LIGHTNING THIEF, the next PERCY JACKSON adaptation would be based on Rick Riordan's literary source material (specifically THE SEA OF MONSTERS). Chris Columbus, who directed the first picture, is not expected to helm this new installment - although he will be around as a producer.
The lead cast members, headed by Logan Lerman as Percy Jackson, will come back, according to the person who was briefed.
...says THIS L.A. Times piece, which also mentions that Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski have already been brought in to write a script. Promisingly, they wrote Tim Burton's magnificent ED WOOD. Alarmingly, they also scripted AGENT CODY BANKS, effectively confounding and neutralizing my enthusiasm for her involvement.
I found myself unmoved by PERCY JACKSON AND THE LAST OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF, but I know a hot girl who loves it. LOVES it. I'll pass this news onto her in the hopes that she'll jump up and down and squeal.
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