Disney is gearing up for the highly anticipated premiere of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" on Disney+. The small screen adaptation of Rick Riordan's beloved book series is set to debut with two episodes on Wednesday, and the first episode will also be available on Hulu through January. With plans for an eight-episode first season, Disney is clearly aiming to attract as many viewers as possible.

The first season of the series will follow the events of the first book in the five-novel series. Although there is no official confirmation yet on whether Season 2 will be greenlit, discussions about its potential are already underway, according to executive producer Jon Steinberg.

Becky Riordan, executive producer and Rick Riordan's wife, revealed that they have already begun outlining the "bible" for Season 2. She expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of exploring the second book, "Sea of Monsters," and spending more time with fan-favorite character Grover, portrayed by Aryan Simhadri.

The "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series marks a fresh start for the franchise, made possible by Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, which previously held the screen rights to the books. The previous film adaptations of the series were met with criticism from fans and even Riordan himself, leading to his hesitation in returning to Hollywood. However, the Disney series promises to stay true to the source material and deliver a version that Riordan and Becky can be proud of.

Rick Riordan expressed his excitement for audiences to experience the new adaptation, noting that the TV format allowed for a deeper exploration of the story and characters. He specifically mentioned his evolved understanding of the character Medusa and his desire to showcase her own perspective and story.

Becky Riordan added that the series presents a different perspective for the main character, Percy Jackson. A scene in the first episode involving Percy's mother discussing expectations is said to be a significant touchstone throughout the season, shaping Percy's perception.

During a recent press day, the three lead actors, Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson), Leah Jeffries (Annabeth Chase), and Aryan Simhadri (Grover), shared their excitement upon watching the first five episodes. The producers also emphasized their close collaboration with Riordan throughout the process, ensuring that the adaptation stayed faithful to the books and received the approval of diehard fans.

Disney has chosen not to release viewership data for its streaming titles, but given the excitement surrounding "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," it is expected that the series will perform well. In about a month, the premiere episodes may even make their way into Nielsen's streaming Top 10, providing further insight into their performance.

If the series is successful, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" has the potential to become Disney's next big franchise. The lead actors themselves already have grand aspirations, with Aryan Simhadri joking about a crossover with the Avengers and Walker Scobell expressing a desire for a Percy Jackson theme park with immersive experiences, similar to the Harry Potter franchise.

As fans eagerly await the series premiere, the possibilities for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" seem endless, and the success of the first season will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the future of this exciting franchise.