The Disney+ "Percy Jackson" series based on Rick Riordan's books begins airing this month. "Deadpool 3" began filming this year.
Dana MassingErie Times-News
With the premiere of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" coming up Dec. 20 on Disney+, star Walker Scobell was busy traveling on a press tour this month.
While the 14-year-old expected to be away from home for a while, he did get to spend some time in Fairview Township this summer and fall during the American actors' union SAG-AFTRA strike that began in mid-July and ended in early November. But now he's back to work, promoting the start of the series in which he stars as the demigod title character.
Walker told the Erie Times-News, via an email from his mother, Heather Scobell, that he was "very excited" for "Percy Jackson" to begin airing. It starts with atwo-episode premiere of the series based on Rick Riordan's books. In addition to Walker, the show also stars Aryan Simhadri and Leah Jeffries and was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 2022 and 2023.
Walker said the only thing he's working on right now is the press tour for "Percy Jackson." Asked whether we'd see him return to the role after the first season, he said, "I really hope there is a second season. I can't wait to start filming 'Sea of Monsters,' which is book two."
In a December 2022 interview with the Erie Times-News, Walker said that while he was looking for other roles, he wanted to continue with the "Percy Jackson" series as long as it goes.
Time for school
Walker said he had the summer off work. That meant spending time in-person with his sister, Leena Scobell, and brother, Tanner Scobell.
"I enjoyed the great Erie summer," Walker said via email.
"I went to school in-person for the fall, which was nice," he added.
Walker is a freshman at Fairview High School. His mom said in a previous interview that when he's traveling or filming, he is home-schooled or there is a teacheron set. When Walker is home, he has attended school in the Fairview School District, which Heather Scobell said has been good to work with.
While Walker seems to have enjoyed his time at home and school, he also said in the email, "Hopefully, we will be back to filming Percy Jackson soon!"
Walker's other roles
Walker spent time in Massachusetts filming scenes for "Blood Knot," an independent feature starring Michael Douglas and his son, Cameron Douglas. The film is about a father who attempts to reconnect with his estranged son by inviting him to join a father-son fishing competition.
Walker said he plays Michael Douglas' grandson and the veteran actor "was great to work with. He gave me some good advice."
The teen didn't know the status of the movie, but added, "I can't wait to see the rest of what they filmed."
A release date for the film wasn't available.
Prior to filming "Blood Knot" and "Percy Jackson," Walker appeared in "Secret Headquarters." The film with Owen Wilson, Michael Pena and Jesse Williams debuted on Paramount+ in August 2022. Walker plays a teen who discovers the headquarters of the world's most powerful superhero hidden beneath his home. When villains attack, he and his friends defend the headquarters and save the world.
Walker's first major role, after appearing as Michael in a 2019 Fairview Middle School production of "Mary Poppins," was in "The Adam Project."This film with Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo was released on Netflix in March 2022. In the movie directed by Shawn Levy,Reynolds plays a time-traveling pilot who teams up with his 12-year-old self, played by Walker, to come to terms with his past while saving the future.
In the 2022 Erie Times-News interview, Walker's father, Pete Scobell said his son and Reynolds "had amazing chemistry."
Walker said a year ago that he still kept in touch with Reynolds and asked a lot of questions about "Deadpool 3," which began filming this past spring and is expected to be released in 2024. The franchise film stars Reynolds and Garner, and is directed by Levy. Walker, a "Deadpool" fan, said last year that he hoped there might be a role in it for him.
'Deadpool' rumors
Speculation and rumors abound on the internet that Walker could be appearing in "Deadpool 3" as "Kidpool," the child version of "Deadpool."
In a March 2022 "Entertainment Weekly" video on YouTube with the cast from "The Adam Project," Walker recites one of Reynold's R-rated "Deadpool" speeches from memory.
Claws up for Wolverine: Ryan Reynolds reveals Hugh Jackman is coming back for 'Deadpool 3'
Asked, via the email to his mother, whether he would be appearing in "Deadpool 3" or as "Kidpool," Walker was mum on the topic.
Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.
