Adam Copeland, who plays Ares on Disney+ Percy Jackson and the Olympiansteases a more mature direction for season 2. The first installment of the fantasy series featured a faithful adaptation of Rick Riordan's beloved novels, following young heroes Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries), and Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri) on their quest to recover the Master Bolt of Zeus. Percy Jackson Season 2 is set to adapt Riordan's second book, The Sea of Monstersin which Percy and his friends embark on a dangerous mission to recover the Golden Fleece and restore its protection to Camp Half-Blood.
Talking to Screen speechLiam Crowley ahead of AEW Dynamite's streaming debut on Max on January 1st, Adam “Edge” Copeland discussed the evolution of Percy Jackson'stone as its young protagonists grow up to face even more dangerous journeys, monsters and traitorous friends. After an explosive finale in which Copeland's god of war swore revenge on the half-bloods following his defeat by Percy, Luke Castellan (Charlie Bushnell) is revealed as the Camp Half-Blood traitor with allegiance to the sinister titan Kronos. Reflecting on his journey with the franchise, Copeland said:
I mean, it was great because in the first season we filmed everything, and it looked like it was a good show, but you still don't fully know until you see the final product. So fast forward to December 2023, and you see, and we're at the premiere and everything and my girls are there, and we watched it and it blew my mind.
I felt very honored to be a part of Percy Jackson's world and world and to be included in it. Seeing that finished product really hit home for me. And then when you go out there you start to have families popping up and grandparents popping up and kids coming up and asking if I'm Ares or if I'm Adam Copeland and not because of wrestling, That's when I realized the show was on the right track. Now, 16 Emmy nominations later, it's mind-blowing to be a part of it all.
Copeland also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to explore such a dynamic character in Ares:
I realize that actors wait their entire careers to get into a show like this and some never do. I don't look beyond that, and I realize the gift I received with the writing and with the character Ares, because he's the type of character who is open to exploration. There really are no handcuffs with this character. I mean, don't get me wrong, there are some, we're Disney, but just in terms of facials and movements and big and just make everything look really big, which is what wrestling is all about.
So yeah, it was a pretty crazy ride. It was good to get out there and film some scenes for this season. Yeah, I mean, it's not a hard job, man. I'm going to Vancouver, one of my favorite cities. I spend time with great people. I have a lot of friends out there, so it feels like I'm back home every time I go. I love working with the cast, with the crew. It's just a phenomenal group of people who have the same goal.
Reflecting on what's to come Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2, Copeland added:
Good, I think that just as characters age naturally, more serious problems arise, but they are following the books, but there will always be some things added, like the restaurant scene in season one, which wasn't in the books, but I'm really glad it was included in the scripts, because that's what I auditioned for and I said, 'Oh, there's a lot of fun here.' I think there will always be fun in this show. I mean, how can it not be when you look at what's happening and going on and the fantastical nature of it all?
Children are growing up and are no longer children. I think it naturally follows the progression of what happens to you as a teenager. I think that's why the books have always connected, because I feel like people saw a little bit of themselves in these characters and the weird phases you go through, but if you have friends it doesn't seem so weird. And I feel like at the heart of Percy Jackson, that's what they're about.
What a more mature Percy Jackson season 2 means
God Of War Is Just Getting Started
2nd season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians seems destined to raise the story's mythological stakes and delve deeper into the allure of power. Ares' promise of revenge at the end of Season 1 hints at the actor and professional wrestler's renewed involvement, which could represent yet another obstacle for Percy and Annabeth as they fight to restore the Golden Fleece. Meanwhile, Grover searches the seas for Pan. With the trio preoccupied with their respective missions, Luke's loyalty to Kronos grows ever greater as his number of disillusioned half-breeds and demigods continues to grow.
As threats pile up on Percy and his two friends, the Greek mythology series evolves from a simple hero's journey into a multilayered exploration of the temptations of power and the fragility of trust. Ares' role as a physical and thematic adversary highlights the challenges Percy faces—not just in battle, but also in navigating the complexities of the mythological world where alliances and wars are constantly shifting. With the safety of Camp Half-Blood hanging by a thread, Ares' dynamic presence in Season 2 will undoubtedly raise the stakes when his vendetta against Percy collides—or perhaps it collaborates – above all, with Cronos's violent thirst for power.
Our opinion on Percy Jackson, season two
A mythological power struggle is brewing
Copeland as Ares is featured in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians cast, bringing charisma and a grandiose energy that perfectly encapsulates the god of war. Its tease of a more mature storyline continues to build anticipation for the return of our young heroes. In addition to his acting career, Copeland strives for AEW every Wednesday on AEW Dynamite on TBS and every Saturday on AEW Collision on TNTwith both streams simultaneously on Max.
As Copeland points out, what makes the Greek mythology series so special is its ability to balance the fantastical with the relatable. The awkwardness and camaraderie seen in half-breeds Percy, Annabeth, and Grover remind viewers of any age of the growing pains of adolescence. If Percy Jackson and the Olympians season two delivers on its promise of greater mythological stakes and heartfelt character development, potentially solidifying its place as one of the most beloved adaptations of Riordan's best-selling series.