Rick Riordan reflected on racist comments aimed at Leah Sava Jeffries, Annabeth Chase from ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’
After racist attacks, the creator of the “Percy Jackson” saga, Rick Riordanonce again defended the casting of the actress Leah Sava Jeffries for the role of Annabeth Chase in the series ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. The statement appeared in an interview with Variety (via Omelete).
This is because, since being confirmed in the cast of the new production of Disney+, Leah is the target of racist comments on social media that criticize the actress’s choice for the character, using the argument that she does not have the same physical characteristics as Annabeth, since in the books, the demigoddess is described as a girl with white skin, blonde and with clear eyes.
That way, Riordan revealed in the chat with the magazine, that it was something they already expected to happen. “It’s something we knew was going to be a problem as soon as we found out she was the right person,” she said.
Additionally, the author, who was once an elementary school teacher, reveals that he sees the cast as “just other students” and that his priority is to “protect them, further their education, and do everything he can to be a mentor and , I hope, even a friend.”
Leah impressed me from the moment I met her. She has that kind of attitude that makes her a leader, but there’s a bit of vulnerability about her. Now, does she look like Annabeth in the books? No. Was that important to me? No, I don’t care. It’s actually been a huge benefit to broaden the cast in terms of representation,” she added.
Finally, Riordan he stated that the racist attacks impacted him for a few seconds, stating that regardless of the comments, he knows what the truth is.
It hit me for a few seconds – literally, about 90 seconds. But I know that no matter how many people say bad things, it will never be true. This seems very strange, but I don’t blame them. These people may not know how to adapt. I? No matter who they cast, I would love it either way. Because it’s just a series; It’s not like I fired anyone.”
It is worth remembering that the author had already written an open letter on his personal blog, arguing that the priority has always been the personality of both the actors and the characters, and not their physical characteristics.
Once you see Leah as Annabeth, she will become exactly the way you imagine Annabeth, assuming you give her that chance, but you refuse to believe that could be true.”
Source: Recreio
