We’ll admit that, at first, we weren’t really paying a whole lot of attention to Chris Columbus’ new film, Percy Jackson, based on a children’s book about the half-human son of the Greek God, Poseidon, and his journey across America in an attempt to prevent a war between the Gods.
But Columbus’ casting choices for his kids’ book adaptation have made us sit up and take notice, and today’s addition of Rosario Dawson and Steve Coogan to the cast haven’t hurt.
Coogan has signed on to play the nefarious Hades which, given his penchant for playing petty little men like Alan Partridge, should be one of the film’s comedic standouts. Dawson, meanwhile, will play Hades’ imprisoned wife, Persephone, who catches the eye of Percy’s best friend, Grover (Brandon T. Jackson).
The duo join a cast that’s virtually bursting at the seams, including Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Uma Thurman, Catherine Keener, Kevin McKidd and Logan Lerman as Percy.
Filming is currently taking place in Vancouver, with an eye on a Feb. 12 release next year.