Disney recently acquired film rights to a new fantasy saga in a seven-figure deal, investing in what may hold potential as the “next Harry Potter.” The author of the series, who is the first U.K. children's author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously reach the No. 1 position on the children’s book charts in both the U.K. and the U.S., is confirmed to be adapting the screenplay for Disney.
Keep reading for all the details about this new deal, comments from Disney CEO Bob Iger, and the story of the fantasy saga that Disney will bring to life on screen!
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Disney Makes Deal for “Impossible Creatures”
Walt Disney Studios recently acquired theatrical film and ancillary rights to the award-winning Impossible Creatures fantasy series, written by Katherine Rundell, in what is reportedly a “deal worth a substantial seven figures,” according to Deadline. Rundell will be central to the creative vision and development of the franchise, adapting the first two books into live-action feature film screenplays and producing alongside her creative partner Charles Collier. Additionally, Impossible Films will have a first-look deal with Disney that includes Rundell's current and upcoming literary properties.
The series, set in the fictional world of the Glimouria Archipelago, follows the story of a boy named Christopher, who discovers the Archipelago, a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures have lived for thousands of years. Cristopher teams up with Mal, a girl on the run, to find out why the magic is fading and the magical creatures are suddenly dying.
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The fantasy series is comprised of the first Impossible Creatures (released in 2023) and the subsequent The Poisoned King (released in 2025), with three more books planned. Rundell recently became the first U.K. children’s author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously reach the No. 1 position on the children’s book charts in both the U.K. and the U.S.
Rundell's full body of work has sold more than four million copies worldwide, and the first two books of the series have already sold over one million copies across 34 territories. Rundell was awarded “Author of The Year” and “Children’s Book of The Year” at The British Book Awards last year.
Some are comparing the potential of the new series to J.K. Rowling's immensely successful Harry Potter series, which resulted in eight popular films produced by Warner Bros. and several immersive lands across the Universal theme parks. Disney's move to acquire the rights to Impossible Creatures indicates that they are perhaps hoping this fantasy saga will follow a similar trajectory of success for The Walt Disney Company.
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Disney executives commented on their excitement over acquiring the Impossible Creatures series. Disney CEO Bob Iger shared, “When I read Impossible Creatures, I knew it belonged here at Disney. I was immediately drawn into the vibrant world Katherine imagined and the possibilities of what we could do together with this story. Written by Katherine herself, these movies are in the best of hands with our Walt Disney Studios team, and I can't wait to see this tale brought to the screen.”
“Katherine Rundell has masterfully crafted a spectacular and immersive world with Impossible Creatures, and her vision is a perfect match for the Disney storytelling tradition,” said Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, and David Greenbaum, President, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Katherine and Charles to bring this epic saga to life for audiences worldwide—it’s going to be an extraordinary adventure.”
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