It’s official! Joe Abercrombie’s latest novel, The Devils, which was released in May 2025 and instantly became a bestseller, has been picked up for a movie adaptation. And it’s got one of the biggest names in the world attached to the project!
James Cameron announced that his company, Lightstorm Entertainment, has bought the rights to Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils. The veteran filmmaker and the author are set to co-write the movie’s script!
Joe Abercrombie is one of the well-known authors, probably considered the best when it comes to writing grimdark fantasy novels. His First Law series is beloved by fans worldwide, and there aren’t many readers who say negative things about his books.
Even James Cameron is a fan, as he revealed he’s not only read Joe’s books but also loves them. He’s especially a big fan of the Best Served Cold novel!
What Do We Know About The Devils Movie Adaptation?
The news just broke, and James Cameron announced the acquisition of Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils. So, it’s very early to know more about the movie’s details!
In the press release shared on Facebook, Cameron shares what he liked about the book that made him buy its movie rights. He said, “I’ve loved Joe’s writing for years, cherishing each new read, throughout the epic cycle of the First Law books, especially Best Served Cold (LOVE IT!) and the Age of Madness trilogy.” He goes on, “But the freshness of the world and the characters in The Devils finally got me off my butt to buy one of his books and partner with him to bring it to the screen.”
Since the filmmaker has personally announced the acquisition, there’s a big chance that he will work closely on the project and ensure it gets a perfect adaptation that is as successful as the book.
We know that James Cameron will co-write the script for the movie adaptation with Joe Abercrombie. However, he also mentioned that there won’t be much work for him because the author’s writing style will translate very well on the big screen.
“I’m looking forward to the writing process with him, though I’m certain this adaptation will practically write itself because Joe writes very visually, almost in scenes, and with a very cinematic structure,” he said.
For the past few years, Cameron has mostly spent his time working on the Avatar film franchise. He’s got Avatar: Fire and Ash releasing in December 2025, so this book, which will have him working on a completely unique story, is an exciting prospect.
James himself revealed how excited he is to work on this dark fantasy masterpiece, “I can’t wait to dig into this as I wind down on Avatar: Fire and Ash. It will be a joyful new challenge for me to bring these indelible characters to life.”
The novel’s author, Joe Abercrombie, has also shared his excitement on this news: “James Cameron has been thrilling audiences, including me, by putting the impossible on film for over four decades. No one can balance mind-blowing action and spectacle with gut-wrenching personal stakes and story the way he does.” He further added, “I can’t think of anyone better to bring this weird and wonderful monster of a book to the screen.”
What is The Devils Book About?
The Devils is a dark fantasy novel, the newest in Joe Abercrombie’s list of books, and it is a story about a group of horrible men and monsters who are enlisted to fight the army of flesh-eating elves.
“How do I describe The Devils? A sharply witty horror adventure? An epic battle between good and evil, except most of the time you can’t tell which is which? A twisted, stylish, alt-universe middle-ages romp, where your best hope of survival is the monsters themselves? This is Joe Abercrombie in absolute peak form, opening up a whole new world and an ensemble of delicious new characters,” James Cameron said in the statement.
He further added, “The twists and turns come at a rollercoaster pace, and with Joe’s signature acerbic wit and style. The Devils showcases Joe’s jaundiced view of human nature, in all its dark, selfish glory, as told through some decidedly un-human characters. But of course, Joe always teases with the flickers of redemption that make it all worthwhile — and ultimately quite heartwrenching.”
While the filmmaker has already read the book, absolutely loved the story that the author has crafted, and bought the rights to make it into a movie, he can’t divulge much information.
People who have already read the novel know what to look forward to, but if you haven’t read the book, or you haven’t gotten to reading it and it is still on your TBR, then here’s what the book’s official synopsis says:
Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it’s a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.”
What is the Release Date for The Devils Movie?
There is no release date for the movie adaptation because it has only been announced, and no production work has begun.
First, James Cameron and Joe Abercrombie will write the script for the movie, then it will go into pre-production, the casting and shooting will be done, and only then will we get an expected timeframe for the movie’s release.
And as with most book adaptations, sometimes things don’t work out. Filmmakers and production houses buy the book’s rights, but the adaptation never sees the light of day. These adaptations get shelved and cancelled.
However, the chances of that happening with The Devils movie adaptation are next to none because James Cameron is attached to the project, and he is excitedly looking forward to working on it.
So, we’ll have to wait for a couple of months to see the progress the project makes, and only then will we know more about the upcoming The Devils movie!
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