Harry Potter Meets The Odyssey in the Most Highly-Anticipated Fantasy Book of the Summer
Disney has acquired the film rights to Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures series, positioning it as a successor to the Harry Potter franchise in children’s fantasy literature. Rundell recently became the first author since J.K. Rowling to top children’s bestseller lists in both the U.S. and U.K., signaling significant commercial appeal.
Rundell initially pitched the series as a trilogy but signed a seven-figure publishing contract to deliver five books, reflecting strong publisher confidence in the franchise’s potential. The first book, released in 2023, introduces the Glimouria Archipelago, a hidden world filled with mythological creatures. Like classic fantasy realms such as Narnia and Neverland, it serves as a wondrous yet dangerous setting for young British protagonists to explore. Rundell drew creative inspiration from her own childhood experiences, including time spent in Harar.
Disney’s investment demonstrates the studio’s efforts to develop its next major children’s entertainment IP, seeking to replicate the multigenerational appeal and commercial success of the Harry Potter phenomenon. The acquisition signals expectations for significant film and television adaptation opportunities within Rundell’s fantasy universe.