Disney Buys the Rights to Impossible Creatures in Massive Seven-Figures Deal

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I remember when Warner Bros. picked up the rights to this property, honestly, nobody thought it would be a big deal. But wow, were we wrong! It exploded into a global phenomenon, becoming one of the most successful franchises ever. And even with all the controversies – including those surrounding the author, J.K. Rowling – it’s still incredibly popular today. It’s a testament to the story’s staying power, really.

Disney has acquired the rights to adapt Katherine Rundell’s popular children’s fantasy series, *Impossible Creatures*. According to reports, Disney won a competitive bidding war against other major entertainment companies for the project. Rundell will also write the screenplay based on the first two books, and the deal is worth a substantial seven-figure sum.

Katherine Rundell began a five-book series with the publication of *Impossible Creatures* in September 2023. The second book, *The Poisoned King*, followed in 2025. The titles and release dates for the final three books are yet to be announced.

The book series quickly became a bestseller, achieving a level of success comparable to popular franchises like *Harry Potter* and *The Hunger Games*. Like those series, it has the potential to become a billion-dollar brand. After the release of *The Poisoned King*, Katherine Rundell became the first British children’s author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously top the bestseller charts in both the UK and the U.S. The series has already sold over four million copies worldwide. In 2024, *Impossible Creatures* won Children’s Book of the Year at The British Book Awards, and Rundell was named Author of the Year.

Originally intended as a three-book series, *Impossible Creatures* grew into a five-book saga due to its success. The author is now planning additional books, including spin-offs and prequels. Katherine Rundell secured significant publishing agreements with Bloomsbury and Knopf, worth seven figures each.

Because the book series is so popular, many Hollywood studios have been competing to obtain the rights to adapt it into movies, related products, and even potential theme park experiences. The author shared that she was open to a deal after finishing the second book.

As a huge movie fan, I was fascinated to hear who was vying for the rights to this story! Disney ultimately won, reportedly paying a seven-figure sum. It wasn’t just them though – Warner Bros. and Netflix were also in the running. From what I understand, the deal was spearheaded by David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, alongside Daria Cercek, Allison Erlikhman, and Clare Reeth, all from Disney. And it’s great that the author, Rundell, is staying on with her creative partner, Charles Collier – that’s a really positive sign for the future of the project.

What Is Impossible Creatures About?

In *Impossible Creatures*, two young heroes embark on a quest to protect the last remaining magical realm. The story centers around Christopher Forrester, who goes to live with his grandfather in Scotland, only to discover a hidden portal to the Archipelago – a fantastical world populated by creatures from various myths and legends. His path crosses with that of Mal Arvorian, a native of the Archipelago.

I’m really excited about the upcoming *Impossible Creatures* adaptation, but it’s frustrating that we haven’t heard anything about who’s directing, who’s going to be in it, or when we can actually expect to see it! It’s totally a mystery right now.

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2025-10-07 19:12