Percy Jackson and the Olympians expertly uses Greek mythology and Roman legends as the basis for its storytelling, bringing those myths into the modern world. But it isn’t the only exploration of the classic stories to do so. There are countless other big-screen greats and small-screen hidden gems that fans should check out if they love Percy Jackson, and one Henry Cavill project stands out among the rest.
Cavill’s Immortals bears similarities to Percy Jackson, both being steeped in myth, with Immortals retelling the classic story of Theseus. With that in mind, those who loved Season 2 of the show should also check out the mythic reinterpretation to see how another Greek hero is explored.
Percy Jackson Season 2 Established a New Era For Fantasy
Percy Jackson in fighting stance holding a sword in Percy Jackson Season 2.Image via Disney+
To really understand Immortals’ appeal and how it compares to Percy Jackson, it is vital to first look at the second season of Percy Jackson. Debuting at the end of 2025 and continuing to play in early 2026, Percy Jackson Season 2 drew its influence from Rick Riordan’s second book in the Olympians series, The Sea of Monsters.
It is a tale that has been adapted before, previously appearing on the big screen in a failed cinematic interpretation. However, Season 2 of the show got the book spot on, ensuring that the adaptation remained faithful to the material. More than ever, though, Percy Jackson Season 2 highlighted how it could also be for adult fans.
While this is a fantastic piece of family fantasy, one that acts in great contrast to the likes of The Witcher and House of the Dragon, which are aimed at a more mature audience, Percy Jackson has always been about bringing different generations together. The characters have aged up in the second series, facing graver dangers and ultimately making choices that highlight the maturity of their situations.
Percy Jackson Season 2 leans ever further into the classic mythology of the ancient Greeks, too, with the Titans looming in the distance as oncoming threats and characters like Circe appearing for the first time. It is a world where the Gods are taken very seriously, and the tales of old are treated as a history of the world, rather than a fairytale with fictional monsters and fabled heroes. The movie, Immortals, holds many parallels to Percy Jackson Season 2, thanks to the complex use of pre-existing tales.
Henry Cavill’s Immortals Explores a Specific Greek Myth
Henry Cavill puts on army as Theseus in Immortals (2011)Image via Universal
Back in 2011, Immortals explored the myth of Theseus, and Henry Cavill took on the titular role in the forgotten epic. The film featured a well-balanced cast that brought the Greek legends to life much in the same way as in Percy Jackson. The true difference comes from two factors.
The first is that this forgotten gem is aimed far more at an adult audience. It was given an R rating due to its brutal violence, harsh language, and adult themes. It was, in many ways, more accurate to the material it drew inspiration from. The Greek myths of old are full of romance, aggression, and scenarios that brought out both the best and the worst in humanity. Percy Jackson Season 2, as mature as it may be, could not contemplate going to these levels to tell the story that it needed to portray.
The second factor is the myths that Immortals specifically takes its inspiration from. The Titans are a critical part of the story, as are myths such as that of King Minos, which eventually appear in Percy Jackson. But it is Theseus’ tale at the heart of this picture, one of vengeance, tragedy, and sacrifice. While Percy Jackson plays with the Gods and myths and adds some of its own, Immortals retells those that have come before, in a new way. So, for adult fans who have finished up with Percy Jackson, Immortals is where to head next to get an understanding of those ancient mythologies that the show and the novels draw from.
Immortals
Release Date
November 11, 2011
Runtime
110 minutes
