Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
- Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a hidden easter egg referencing Chris Columbus's previous film in the background of the opening scene.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Chris Columbus originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a 2010 American fantasy adventure directed by Chris Columbus, based on Rick Riordan's bestselling 2005 novel. Logan Lerman stars as Percy Jackson, a teenager with dyslexia and ADHD who discovers he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon and has been accused of stealing Zeus's master lightning bolt. With his satyr protector Grover, played by Brandon T.
Jackson, and Annabeth, the daughter of Athena played by Alexandra Daddario, Percy must travel across America to retrieve the bolt, prove his innocence, and prevent a war among the gods. The Lightning Thief aged the characters up from 12 to 16, a decision that Rick Riordan publicly criticized as undermining the books' coming-of-age themes. Despite the fan controversy, the film delivered entertaining set pieces including a Medusa encounter with Uma Thurman and a battle in the Nashville Parthenon.
The film earned $226 million worldwide on a $95 million budget.
