The portrayal of the sardonic Mr. D, also known as Dionysus, in the upcoming Disney Plus series “Percy Jackson & The Olympians” has been hailed as a stroke of brilliance, primarily due to the casting choice for the character. Playing the god associated with wine, revelry, grape harvest, ecstasy, and theater is none other than the wonderfully witty Jason Mantzoukas. His selection, viewed as a perfect match, resonates on multiple levels, especially given Mantzoukas’s Greek American heritage, adding a layer of authenticity to the role that audiences might not have anticipated but greatly appreciate.
The decision to cast the 51-year-old actor for this unique role largely stems from the vision of James Bobin, the executive producer and director of the initial two episodes. Bobin, in an interview with We Got This Covered, expressed that Mantzoukas was the embodiment of Mr. D. as he envisioned while reading the books. Furthermore, their existing friendship contributed significantly to the casting process. “I hadn’t worked with him for a while. I know him, so he’s Mr. D. in my head,” Bobin shared, highlighting the comfort and certainty he felt in selecting Mantzoukas. He even went on to acclaim this specific actor-character fusion as his personal favorite among the various talents portraying Greek gods in the series.
Bobin concluded, “That is a role I think he was born to play,” underlining his firm belief in the casting choice. Mantzoukas’s versatile repertoire across multiple roles in both television and film attests to his acting prowess. Notably, his portrayal of the audacious Rafi in the FX sitcom “The League” stands out, along with memorable appearances in shows like “Parks and Recreation” as the haughty Dennis Feinstein and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as the unpredictable boyfriend Adrian Pimento.
Mantzoukas’s on-screen presence spans over two decades, encompassing a diverse range of more than 20 movies, including notable films like “The Dictator” (2012), “The House” (2017), “The Long Dumb Road” (2018), and “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019). Beyond his on-camera roles, his voice acting prowess is equally impressive. He’s been part of various animated projects such as “American Dad!,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” “The Lego Batman Movie,” “Big Mouth,” and numerous others. Moreover, Mantzoukas co-hosts the popular podcast “How Did This Get Made?” and has contributed his voice to Apple TV Plus’s “Dickinson” as the character Bee, showcasing his multifaceted talents beyond traditional acting.
Overall, Mantzoukas’s comprehensive career in both visual and voice acting, coupled with his distinctive comedic flair, marks him as a stellar choice to bring the enigmatic and humorous Mr. D/Dionysus to life in the much-anticipated “Percy Jackson & The Olympians” series.
