The final book in the Percy Jackson series was released to the expected reception. It was selling well, and the fans of the book series liked the ending.
However, the same could not be said for 12 Angry Men. While it had made its money back, it wouldn't be making much more as other movies had taken too much of the audience away.
Despite this, the studio was not worried, confident that they would turn a profit from DVD sales.
It was now the end of December of 2010 Christmas was over, and the New Year was approaching. I had been away all month, busy with promoting the book.
I was excited for the next year, with plans to release a new series of books with The Song of Ice and Fire, getting started on the Superman movie by the end of the year, and working on other movie projects as well.
For the next two months, I will be focusing on the Oscar campaign for 12 Angry Men. We had already done screenings for critics and attended the Toronto Film Festival. The cast had been sent to several popular talk shows, radio programs, and had done many interviews. Articles were featured in major magazines like Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety, delving into the film's creation, its significance in today's society, and the performances of the cast.
We were also going to be releasing a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the movie, featuring interviews with me, the cast, and the crew.
I looked at the clock in my room. It was almost midnight and I was now trying to write a personalized letter that would be given to the Academy voters when we 'gifted' them for their consideration.
I was nearing the end of it.
…We understand that as an Academy member, your time and consideration are invaluable. We are deeply grateful for your willingness to view our film and consider it for this year's Academy Awards. Your support means the world to us, and we sincerely hope that 12 Angry Men will resonate with you as it has with us.
I put my pen down, deciding to finish it later.
There were some 'For Your Consideration' events for the movie already, and getting the nomination in several categories was set in stone. The race was now on for winning some of them.
Tomorrow, I was going to a party organized by the studio. It was supposed to be a New Year's celebration, but in truth, several Academy voters were invited to it, and its purpose was to get us ahead in the Oscar race.
Before going to bed I decided to browse the internet for some time. There were many posts in the forum dedicated to me, with fans asking if there was going to be another Percy Jackson series.
PercyFan99 Hey, does anyone know if Daniel is planning to write more Percy Jackson books?
MythologyLover Same here! I've reread the entire series like three times. Any news on a new series or spin-off?
CampHalfBlood4Life I heard a rumor that there might be a new series focusing on different demigods. Not sure if it's true though. Daniel, if you're reading this, please give us some hope!
AthenasWisdom With all the success from the movies and books, it would make sense for him to continue. I'm crossing my fingers for an announcement soon.
'Well, might as well tell them,' I thought.
DanielAdlerOfficial Hey everyone! I see a lot of you are curious about the future of the Percy Jackson series. I wanted to let you know that while there will be more stories in that universe, it won't be for many years. Right now, I am focused on releasing a brand new series that is very different from what you're used to. Some of you may not like it, and some of you will. I hope you can support me as I venture into new territory. Thank you all for your amazing support and love for Percy Jackson. It means the world to me!
I hit send and leaned back hoping they would take it well.
I then browsed, looking for posts about 12 Angry Men. There was a campaign by the studio to drum up support from the public to increase our chances at the Oscars. As I scrolled through, I saw one post on Reddit that caught my eye.
TruthSeeker007
Daniel Adler is a Plagiarist!
I can't believe no one's talking about this. The so-called child prodigy Daniel Adler totally ripped off his Percy Jackson series from a Greek children's book called 'Adventures of Theseus.' The stories have so many similarities: a camp for demigods, fighting monsters, and a modern-day setting. How has this gone unnoticed for so long? It's time we expose him for the fraud he is.
I sighed.
The guy from Greece did not want to settle but went public with his accusations. No one took him seriously other than my haters on the internet. They took it as their rallying cry, flooding forums and social media with their accusations.
This was one of them
I did not want to read the comments but i did it anyway
Myhuster3io
I knew something was off about his success. No way a kid could come up with all that on his own. I'm starting to believe this.
ProudPercyFan
Actually, 'Adventures of Theseus' was published AFTER the first Percy Jackson book came out. Do some research before making baseless accusations.
Thenotic3r
Percy Jackson was published in 2007. 'Adventures of Theseus' came out in 2008. Seems like you're the one who needs to check your facts.
Dcrules23
LOL, haters gonna hate. Daniel Adler is a genius and y'all are just jealous.
TruthSeeker007
Dates can be manipulated. It's obvious that he had access to that story way before it was published.
DemigodWarrior
Seriously? You think a 15-year-old had some secret access to an unpublished book in Greece? This is getting ridiculous.
Thetragichero
Let's use some common sense here. Percy Jackson and Adventures of Theseus might have similar themes because they both draw from Greek mythology. That doesn't mean one plagiarized the other.
BookWorm78
Exactly. Similar themes don't equal plagiarism. Greek mythology has been around for thousands of years. Are all authors who write about it plagiarists?
Haymaker00
Typical fanboys. Can't see the truth even when it's right in front of them. Adler is just another example of Hollywood creating false idols.
DanTheMan
Look, even if there are similarities, Daniel has done something amazing with Percy Jackson. Let's not discredit that based on some conspiracy theory.
"The haters were in full swing today," I muttered as I read. But my fans had my back, and that was a comforting thought. I shut down the laptop having had enough of the internet for today and went to bed.
.
.
.
I arrived at the party dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. My hair was neatly styled, and I walked through the entrance with confidence, showing everyone I was the real deal that I was cool under pressure, but in reality, I was panicking a bit.
The largest room in the studio had been transformed into an elegant setting for the party. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room. Tables draped in white linens were scattered around, adorned with tasteful floral centerpieces. Soft music played in the background, creating a sophisticated atmosphere.
As I walked around, Chris approached me with a determined look.
"Daniel, I need you to speak with five people here. They've asked about you," he said.
"Okay," I replied, looking around the room.
"Put on the charm and get us an Oscar," Chris said.
"Okay, I got this. Which ones?" I asked, ready for the task.
Chris began pointing them out.
"That," he said, pointing to a woman wearing a navy blue dress. She was a poised woman in her late 50s with short, silver hair and sharp blue eyes. "Is Amanda Schultz, Academy Voter and Film Critic."
He then pointed to a tall man in his early 60s with graying hair and a well-groomed beard. "That is Michael Harris, Academy Voter and Director."
"Never heard of him," I commented.
"Yeah, me too," Chris said to my confusion.
Next was a woman in her 40s with shoulder-length auburn hair and a warm smile. She wore a chic black dress and had an approachable, friendly presence. "That is Laura Bennett, Academy Voter and Screenwriter. I think you and she will get along very well. You have the same interests," he said.
"What are you doing, setting me up for a date?" I asked.
Chris laughed and then pointed to the final two, a man in his late 50s with a sturdy build dressed in a dark blue suit, and a woman in her early 50s with dark brown hair dressed in a deep green dress. "That is David Chen, Academy Voter and Producer, and next to him is Susan Fields, Academy Voter and Critic."
"Make a good impression, Danny," Chris said as he walked off to greet another person.
I took his advice to heart and began making my rounds.
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"Ms. Schultz, it's such a pleasure to have you here tonight. Your support truly means the world to us," I said, extending my hand with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Adler. I must say, 12 Angry Men was a remarkable film. The black-and-white cinematography was a bold choice," Amanda replied, shaking my hand firmly.
"It was a labor of love for all of us. The cast and crew put their hearts into it," I said earnestly.
"Yes, I can see that," Amanda said, nodding.
==============
"Mr. Harris, thank you so much for coming. It's an honor to have you here," I greeted, approaching the mysterious director.
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Adler. Your film has been the talk of the town," Michael replied, smiling.
"That's wonderful to hear," I said.
"The entire cast was stellar. It's rare to see such a cohesive ensemble," Michael added.
"Yes, J.K. Simmons has been impressive, don't you think?" I asked, getting the actors name out there he was one our favorites to win after all.
"Absolutely, he brought such intensity to the role. It was incredible to watch him work," Michael agreed.
===============
"Ms. Bennett, it's so great to finally meet you," I said, approaching the friendly screenwriter.
"Likewise, Mr. Adler. I have to say, the script for 12 Angry Men was phenomenal," Laura praised.
"How did you come up with it?" she asked.
"I grew up watching and loving 50's courtroom dramas. Writing this was like a love letter to them," I shared, a lie I had come up with for such an occasion.
"It definitely shows. The dialogue, the tension – it was all so gripping," Laura said, nodding appreciatively.
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"Mr. Chen, I'm thrilled you could make it," I said, shaking hands with the observant producer.
"Happy to be here, Mr. Adler. Your film is quite the achievement," David complimented.
"Thank you. We've worked really hard on it," I replied.
"Have you considered working in television? There are some exciting opportunities there," David asked.
"Television is definitely on my radar, though my focus right now is on my upcoming projects. But I'm always open to discussing new possibilities," I answered politely, leaving the door open for future collaboration.
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"Do you think it would have grossed more if it was in color?" Susan Fields, the last of the voters I was tasked to meet, asked.
"Perhaps," I answered, taking a sip of the drink in my hand. I was very tired by this point.
"Keeping it in black and white was the right choice. It added a timeless quality to the film that color couldn't have captured," Susan said thoughtfully.
I nodded along, too tired to respond.
==============
As the party wound down, I found myself standing with Chris, who gave me an approving smile.
"You did well, Danny. Everyone only had good things to say about you," Chris said, patting me on the back.
"Thanks, Chris. So, how many more of these do I have to go to?" I asked, stifling a yawn.
"A lot more, kid. A lot more," Chris replied, chuckling as he turned to leave.
I sighed. 'These are going to be two long months,' I thought as I walked out of the studio, eager to get home as soon as possible.