Great Zeus! Evidently the Muses have been busy in Hollywood, because next year is shaping up to be a mythological movie bonanza.
First up (due February 12) is Chris Columbus’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians: Lightning Thief, based on the first in Rick Riordan’s series of children’s books about a 12-year-old demigod. Then on March 26, Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier takes on Clash of the Titans, a remake of the 1981 mythfest with Sam Worthington stepping into Harry Hamlin’s sandals as Perseus and computer-generated giant scorpions filling in for Ray Harryhausen’s unmistakable stop-motion versions.
The question is, can box-office lightning strike twice in less than two months? There are some serious names in the Clash cast, but my money’s on Percy over Perseus. Harry Potter meets the gods and monsters of Greek mythology? You don’t need the pitch meeting to know that’s an irresistible idea.