Disney's Big Bet: Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures Series Set to Become the Next Epic Fantasy Movie Franchise

For more than a decade, Hollywood has been searching for the next big fantasy story, the kind that captivates a generation like Harry Potter did. It looks like Disney might have finally found its golden ticket. The studio has just secured a massive seven-figure deal to bring Katherine Rundell's best-selling Impossible Creatures book series to the big screen. What makes this even more exciting for fans is that Rundell herself will be writing the screenplays, ensuring her vision stays true to the books.

This fantasy saga has already earned high praise, quickly being called a modern classic in the making. The journey began with the first book, Impossible Creatures, which debuted in 2023. This year, the adventure continued with the release of its sequel, The Poison King. Rundell has laid out ambitious plans: a sprawling five-part main series, with the promise of additional spin-off stories set within the same captivating universe. Such an expansive world naturally caught the eye of major studios, leading to a heated competition for the rights.

Disney Stakes a Major Claim in the Future of Global Fantasy Storytelling with Rundell's Magical World

Katherine Rundell is not just any author; she's a literary force, already achieving incredible milestones. Her books have sold over four million copies around the world. More notably, she holds the distinction of being the first U.K. children's author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously claim the No. 1 spot on children's book charts in both the U.S. and the U.K. This kind of widespread appeal and chart-topping success signals massive franchise potential, igniting a fervent bidding war among Hollywood's biggest players. Warner Bros. and Netflix were reportedly strong contenders, but in the end, Disney emerged victorious.

Disney CEO Bob Iger didn't hold back his admiration for Rundell's creation. He shared his excitement, stating, "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." His words highlight Disney's commitment not only to the story itself but also to Rundell's direct involvement in its adaptation.

Katherine Rundell Expresses Her Joy and Vision for Constructing Gilmouria on Film

Rundell, an accomplished Oxford Fellow and co-founder of Impossible Films alongside Charles Collier, mirrors Disney's high spirits. She enthusiastically commented, "I'm absolutely thrilled to be linking arms with Disney. It's a privilege to be writing these screenplays and developing these first movies in the franchise together with Charles, my team at Impossible Films, and with the exceptional team at Disney. I'm especially grateful to Bob Iger, whose enthusiasm after reading the book helped set this collaboration in motion, and to Alan Bergman and David Greenbaum for being incredible partners throughout this process. Our ambition is to build Gilmouria and Impossible Creatures into a spectacular series of films, so that we can entertain and inspire family audiences across the world." Her statement clearly outlines a shared vision for a grand cinematic future.

The timing of this acquisition couldn't be more strategic for Disney. The Impossible Creatures series arrives at a cultural moment when J.K. Rowling's public standing faces complexities due to ongoing controversies. This dynamic has created a noticeable opening in the market, a void waiting to be filled by a new global fantasy saga. Disney is clearly making a strong move, positioning Rundell's richly imagined world to step into this spotlight. Whether it achieves the iconic status of its predecessor remains to be seen, but the groundwork for a major contender is firmly in place.

Discovering the Phenomenal Success of the Impossible Creatures Literary Saga

The Impossible Creatures series has rapidly transformed into a publishing marvel, frequently earning comparisons to beloved literary phenomena such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Twilight Saga. The first volume of this highly anticipated series made its debut in 2023. Its highly awaited second installment, The Poisoned King, followed this year, immediately cementing its place as a global bestseller. Katherine Rundell's remarkable achievement includes being the first UK children's author since J.K. Rowling to concurrently reach the coveted No. 1 position on children's book charts in both the UK and the U.S. Her collective body of work has surpassed sales of four million copies worldwide, showcasing her widespread appeal. Furthermore, in 2024, she was honored with both the prestigious Author of the Year and Children's Book of the Year awards at The British Book Awards, cementing her status as a leading voice in children's literature.

What initially began as a planned trilogy has since expanded into a grand five-novel series, a testament to the depth and potential of Rundell's storytelling. She has also indicated plans to further extend the franchise with additional spin-offs and prequel books, promising an even broader universe for readers to dive into. The first two books alone have already sold over one million copies across 34 territories, highlighting their international reach. These compelling sales figures, combined with critical acclaim, established Impossible Creatures as a must-have Hollywood property. Studios envisioned not just successful movies, but also a wealth of merchandise and even future theme park attractions, all stemming from this vibrant intellectual property.

Key Players Behind Disney's Triumph in Securing This Magical New Property

The author, Katherine Rundell, made it known after the release of her second book that she was ready to make a deal. This prompted a significant courtship from studios and producers. The final contenders in the heated bidding process were Disney, Warner Bros., and Netflix. Executives from all three made trips to London this past summer to present their detailed visions for the adaptation. For Disney, the driving force behind securing this deal was David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. He received strong backing from Disney Live Action president Daria Cercek and Allison Erlikhman, SVP Production, Disney Live Action. The Disney Head of Literary Affairs, Clare Reeth, along with Literary Affairs Director Emily Dayton, were early champions of the book, recognizing its potential.

Watching the process with keen interest from a distance were Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, underscoring the high-level importance of this acquisition. Disney's successful bid results in a comprehensive deal that not only covers the five-book series but also brings Rundell and her creative partner Charles Collier into the fold. Their production company, Impossible Films, operates from London and boasts a talented team. This includes producer Alexandra Derbyshire, known for her work on beloved films like Paddington 2 and Wonka, and Simon Bax, formerly CFO of Pixar Animation Studios and President of Studio Operations at Fox. As part of this arrangement, Rundell's Impossible Films will also gain a first-look deal with Disney, covering all her current and upcoming literary properties.

This major investment shows Disney's determined move to diversify its live-action slate, moving beyond simply adapting its animated classics. A personal connection also sweetened the deal. Greenbaum, who attended grad school at Oxford, found common ground with Rundell, also an Oxford Fellow. This shared academic background helped foster a strong bond, likely smoothing the path for this significant collaboration.

A Closer Look at the Enchanting World of Gilmouria Archipelago: What's the Story About?

So, what exactly captured the imaginations of Disney executives and sparked such a competitive bidding war? The Impossible Creatures series transports readers to the wondrous world of Gilmouria Archipelago. Here, the story introduces Christopher, a human boy who unexpectedly stumbles upon a hidden entrance to this magical realm. His discovery occurs while he's on holiday with his grandfather in the rugged and beautiful Scottish Highlands. Soon after, Christopher crosses paths with Mal, a spirited girl who calls this extraordinary hidden world home. Gilmouria is depicted as a collection of islands, teeming with fantastical creatures that defy imagination.

Together, Christopher and Mal must form an unlikely alliance and embark on a crucial quest. They aim to save the many creatures of Gilmouria. These magical beings face a dire threat as the vital magical force that sustains their lives and maintains the vibrancy of their world begins to fade. The narrative promises to be rich with adventure, mystery, and heart. While it offers familiar threads for fantasy readers, its distinct history ensures a fresh and exciting experience. With Rundell herself set to pen the screenplays, fans can surely expect a faithful and heartfelt adaptation from the printed page to the silver screen.

Meet the Memorable Characters Slated for the Highly Anticipated Impossible Creatures Films

As the film adaptation is still in its early stages, specific casting announcements have yet to be made. However, the books introduce a compelling roster of characters that audiences will surely connect with. At the heart of the story are the two young protagonists: Christopher, the boy from our world, and Mal, the girl from Gilmouria. It is highly probable that younger, perhaps lesser-known actors will be cast in these pivotal roles. This approach would mirror the strategy of other long-running fantasy franchises, allowing the actors to grow and mature alongside their characters over several films. Beyond the central duo, the series features a colorful supporting cast. This includes Christopher's wise Grandfather, Mal's enigmatic aunt, a dangerous assassin named Adam Kavil, and the formidable villain Sforza. These more experienced roles could potentially attract established actors once the production gains momentum and moves closer to filming.

The Road Ahead: Projected Release, Potential Cast, and the Grand Future of This New Disney Franchise

At this moment, Disney has not announced a firm release date for the first Impossible Creatures movie. The studio appears to be taking a thoughtful approach, allowing Katherine Rundell the necessary time to complete her screenplays. Only after the scripts are polished will the search for a director begin, followed by the exciting process of assembling the cast and crew. This means fans will likely need to exercise patience, as the film's premiere is still several years away. However, there's fantastic news for audiences: Disney intends for Impossible Creatures to be a theatrical release, rather than a direct-to-streaming title. This commitment means viewers will get to experience Christopher's incredible adventures and the breathtaking visuals of Gilmouria on the largest screen possible, truly bringing its magic to life.

Building a Sprawling Fantasy Universe to Delight Audiences for Generations

Even though the first Impossible Creatures film is still some time away, Disney and Rundell are thinking big. They envision a sprawling, multi-film franchise. With the second book, The Poisoned King, already available, the studio has a clear path for the initial installments. Rundell has planned a total of five main books in the series. Moreover, she has openly discussed broadening the franchise even further, with plans for spin-off stories and possibly prequel books set within the same rich universe. The long-term success of this ambitious project will naturally hinge on how well the books continue to perform and, crucially, how successfully the film adaptations resonate with audiences in theaters.

Should everything align, this could provide Disney with a powerful new hit series to cultivate and explore for many years. Given the youthful nature of Christopher and Mal, and the inherent themes of discovery and growing up in the story, Disney could even take a page from the successful playbooks of Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. They might choose to produce the movies in relatively quick succession, allowing their young cast to mature alongside their on-screen characters. If this strategy proves fruitful, Impossible Creatures truly stands poised to become the next defining fantasy movie franchise, ready to spark the imaginations of a new generation.

This article is based on information available as of October 7, 2025.