“Percy Jackson” Creators Share Text Message from the Late Lance Reddick’s Wife and Discuss Recasting Zeus

“I do not envy whoever ends up having to step in his shoes,” co-creator and executive producer Jon Steinberg said

The late Lance Reddick is top of mind for fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians after the first season’s recent finale paid tribute to him in a title card at the end of the episode.

Reddick, who died at age 60 on March 17, also was the first topic discussed at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour’s panel for the Disney+ series on Saturday.

A person in the audience asked the creators of the show, which Disney+ announced on Feb. 7 was renewed for a second season, who would fill Reddick’s role in future episodes. Reddick played Zeus, the god of sky and thunder who is convinced that Percy (played by Walker Scobell) stole his lightning bolt.

Co-creator and executive producer Jon Steinberg said there’s “a little bit of denial” regarding the process of having to replace Reddick.

“In terms of Lance, I don’t think anybody’s there yet. I think we have a minute, I think, there’s also such a little bit of denial maybe that that’s something that we’re going to have to deal with,” Steinberg said. “But we’re incredibly grateful for this character that he helped build and this presence that he created, and I do not envy whoever ends up having to step in his shoes.”

Related: Keanu Reeves Mourns 'Beloved' 'John Wick' Costar Lance Reddick: 'Deeply Saddened and Heartbroken'

Fellow executive producer Dan Shotz also shared that they received a text message from Reddick’s wife, Stephanie Reddick, about her thoughts on Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

“We recently got a text from his wife, who said how proud he would have been of seeing it and the work,” Shotz said. “It was really a rough situation, and we miss him very much. But just the fact that the world got to see him in this iconic role that will live on forever.”

Before Percy Jackson, which is Reddick’s final TV role, the actor played Charon in the John Wick film series and had memorable roles in American Horror Story, Bosch, Fringe and The Wire.

Related: 'John Wick', 'The Wire' Stars and Other Celebrities Pay Tribute to Lance Reddick After His Death at 60

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Reddick died one week before John Wick: Chapter 4 came out in 2023.

After his death, his wife paid tribute to him with a black-and-white Instagram photo, thanking everyone who loved him and his acting in the post's caption.

“Lance was taken from us far too soon,” she wrote. “Thank you for all your overwhelming love, support and beautiful stories shared on these platforms over the last day. I see your messages and can't begin to express how grateful I am to have them. And to the thousands of Destiny players who played in special tribute to Lance, thank you. Lance loved you as much as he loved the game.”

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