Disney secures film rights to ‘Impossible Creatures’

Walt Disney Studios The Walt Disney Company ↘ 0.08% has secured the film rights to Katherine Rundell's fantasy book series "Impossible Creatures" in a substantial seven-figure deal, the company announced Tuesday, beating Netflix ↘ 2.86% and Warner Bros. ↗ 0.03% in a competitive bidding war for what Disney hopes will become its next billion-dollar franchise.

The acquisition marks a strategic pivot for Disney as the entertainment giant seeks fresh intellectual property beyond live-action remakes of its animated classics. The deal comes as Disney's established franchises show signs of fatigue, with recent Marvel and Star Wars releases failing to match their previous box office dominance.gizmodo+3

Disney's Strategic Bet on New Fantasy IP

Under the expansive agreement, Rundell will adapt the first two books of her planned five-book series into screenplays under Disney's Live Action banner and will produce alongside creative partner Charles Collier through their London-based production company, Impossible Films. The deal also includes a first-look development relationship covering all of Rundell's current and upcoming literary works.deadline+2

"When I read Impossible Creatures, I knew it belonged here at Disney," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "I was immediately drawn into the vibrant world Katherine imagined and the possibilities of what we could do together with this story."thewaltdisneycompany+2

The series, set in the magical Glimouria Archipelago, follows Christopher, a boy who discovers a hidden portal to a world of mythological creatures while vacationing with his grandfather in the Scottish Highlands. There he befriends Mal, a flying girl from this magical realm, and together they embark on a quest to save the dying creatures as the world's magic mysteriously drains away.deadline+1

Literary Success Drives Hollywood Interest

Rundell's rapid rise in children's literature created the bidding frenzy that attracted Hollywood's biggest players. The Oxford professor became the first UK children's author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously reach number one on children's book charts in both the UK and US following the release of "The Poisoned King," the series' second installment, last month.superherohype+3

The books have already sold over four million copies worldwide, with industry observers comparing the series' publishing success to "Harry Potter," "The Hunger Games," and the "Twilight Saga". Originally conceived as a trilogy, Rundell expanded the project to a five-book series earlier this year through two seven-figure publishing deals with Bloomsbury and Knopf.deadline+3

Disney's investment reflects the company's urgent need for new franchise material as its live-action strategy evolves. While this year's "Lilo & Stitch" became the first Hollywood film of 2025 to cross $1 billion globally, the underwhelming performance of "Snow White" prompted Disney to pause development on its planned "Tangled" remake.hollywoodreporter+4

Disney Acquires Impossible Creatures Book Series for Seven Figure Film Deal

Walt Disney Studios has secured the film rights to Katherine Rundell's fantasy book series "Impossible Creatures" in a substantial seven-figure deal, the company announced Tuesday, beating Netflix and Warner Bros. in a competitive bidding war for what Disney hopes will become its next billion-dollar franchise.

The acquisition marks a strategic pivot for Disney as the entertainment giant seeks fresh intellectual property beyond live-action remakes of its animated classics. The deal comes as Disney's established franchises show signs of fatigue, with recent Marvel and Star Wars releases failing to match their previous box office dominance.gizmodo+3

Disney's Strategic Bet on New Fantasy IP

Under the expansive agreement, Rundell will adapt the first two books of her planned five-book series into screenplays under Disney's Live Action banner and will produce alongside creative partner Charles Collier through their London-based production company, Impossible Films. The deal also includes a first-look development relationship covering all of Rundell's current and upcoming literary works.deadline+2

"When I read Impossible Creatures, I knew it belonged here at Disney," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "I was immediately drawn into the vibrant world Katherine imagined and the possibilities of what we could do together with this story."thewaltdisneycompany+2

The series, set in the magical Glimouria Archipelago, follows Christopher, a boy who discovers a hidden portal to a world of mythological creatures while vacationing with his grandfather in the Scottish Highlands. There he befriends Mal, a flying girl from this magical realm, and together they embark on a quest to save the dying creatures as the world's magic mysteriously drains away.deadline+1

Literary Success Drives Hollywood Interest

Rundell's rapid rise in children's literature created the bidding frenzy that attracted Hollywood's biggest players. The Oxford professor became the first UK children's author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously reach number one on children's book charts in both the UK and US following the release of "The Poisoned King," the series' second installment, last month.superherohype+3

The books have already sold over four million copies worldwide, with industry observers comparing the series' publishing success to "Harry Potter," "The Hunger Games," and the "Twilight Saga". Originally conceived as a trilogy, Rundell expanded the project to a five-book series earlier this year through two seven-figure publishing deals with Bloomsbury and Knopf.deadline+3

Beyond Remakes to Original Content

Disney's investment reflects the company's urgent need for new franchise material as its live-action strategy evolves. While this year's "Lilo & Stitch" became the first Hollywood film of 2025 to cross $1 billion globally, the underwhelming performance of "Snow White" prompted Disney to pause development on its planned "Tangled" remake.hollywoodreporter+4

"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 of Disney Entertainment, and David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action. The studio envisions the property extending beyond films to merchandise and potential theme park attractions, similar to its approach with other major franchises.thewaltdisneycompany+3