Over the course of the last few days emails have been coming my way about the new Chris Columbus film “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.” Something about a reference to President Obama being a demigod. When our colleagues over at NewsBusters picked up the story this morning, I emailed the film’s screenwriter Craig Titley, one of the most amiable guys you’ll ever meet, and asked him about it. He immediately agreed to do an interview on the matter and so here it is:
BIG HOLLYWOOD: First off, thanks for agreeing to do this. And many congratulations as the screenwriter of “Percy Jackson” – a big studio movie that opened on thousands of screens across the country today.
You and I have known each other a long time and I couldn’t be happier for you or … more surprised. When it comes to movies you are the most agnostic, apolitical guy I know. I haven’t seen the film yet, but are the reports true? Does one of the characters compare President Obama to a demigod?
CRAIG TITLEY: I think that may be reading a lot into it what isn’t there. I certainly didn’t think that. The line you are referring to — which was actually an ad-libbed line so I can’t tell you the intention behind it — is when Grover (Brandon Jackson) is explaining to Percy (Logan Lerman) that since the gods first appeared to man they have been having, um, close encounters of the sexual kind with mortals. Their offspring are everywhere. Could be people you pass on the streets. Could be professional athletes, could be Craig Titley or John Nolte (the likelier case). Grover says something along the lines that you’d be surprised where they turn up, even the White House. Now to me that wasn’t a reference to Obama. It just meant that demigods turn up in powerful places. It could be Obama. It could also be Reagan. Or Lincoln. Or JFK. Or Washington. Or Jimmy Carter…well, maybe not Carter. Is there a God of Ugly Sweaters?
BH: So as the sole screenwriter, you’re sitting in your first screening of the film and this line pops up that you didn’t write. What did you think?
CT: I was thinking “that’s new.” Nothing more. Actually I don’t know for sure that it was ad-libbed. It could have been something written on set by Chris (Columbus, the director). I wasn’t there that day. But I know that Brandon is a very, very funny and spontaneous actor. He reminds me of Eddie Murphy in his prime, so many of his lines were ad-libbed. I don’t want to say which ones because they are pretty damn funny and I want people to think I wrote them all ;)
BH: Any idea what the actor was thinking?
CT: I have no idea. But for me the point is: demigods are in places you might not expect to find them. Even in the halls of power. I think it’s an apolitical line that, like a inkblot test, you can bring whatever or whomever you want to it. You want to think it’s a reference to Obama, fine. You want to think it’s a reference to another president, fine. That being said, let’s say for the sake of argument that it was intended as a reference to our current president. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a compliment or an endorsement. His “God” father could have been Narcissus! Or Hermes the Trickster, the shape-shifting God of Lies! See what I mean about it being an “inkblot” line? The line is all things for all people.
BH: When you heard it where did your mind go?
CT: Reagan, baby, Reagan! No, seriously, it’s what I just mentioned. It just meant to me that Grover was emphasizing that demi-Gods are and have always been, in everyday places and powerful places. They are everywhere because the gods, going back to Homer and Hesiod have been sexually insatiable and they love their mortals. Literally. I didn’t think it played politically at all.
BH: Our readers worry because at first glance it sounds like another one of those moments that break the storytelling spell. Like that gratuitous shot at Bush in “The Blind Side.”
CT: It’s definitely nothing like that at all. It’s an innocuous line and only political if you want it to be (which is also well within everyone’s right of interpretation). I’m not even sure why this is suddenly “controversial.” Must be either a slow news day or someone trying to stir up something out of nothing. Nah, no one would do that, would they?
BH: Us? Stir up trouble? Please.
Thanks again for doing this on such short notice. And while you’re here, take advantage. Why should the Big Hollywood community see “Percy Jackson” this weekend.
CT: I’m going to tell you why as a fanboy and not as the writer. First of all, having grown up on his Amblin films, I think this film fits rather nicely with Chris Columbus’ “Holy Triumvertae” of Amblin films — “Gremlins,” “Goonies,” and “Young Sherlock Holmes,” all of which he wrote. For me, this is like his fourth Amblin film only this time he got to direct it (nerd note: he used the same DP who shot “Young Sherlock Holmes”). It a fun, family-friendly adventure with great characters, a great sense of humor and some non-cynical wonder and magic.
Secondly, what I personally tried to do when writing this was make a cool fun introduction to the Greek gods and monsters for a new generation so they would feel the way I felt after seeing Jason and the Argonauts and the Ray Harryhausen Greek god movies for the first time. After I saw those I wanted to know everything there was to know about the gods and mythology (still do which is why I’m currently getting my PhD in Mythological Studies). If kids come out of the movie with that kind of enthusiasm to read and learn, I will think: mission accomplished.
BH: Well, good luck. I’ll be checking it out today or tomorrow. One last question. I was wondering if you’d read my script?
Craig…?
Hello?
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