James Cameron is moving forward with a new project, diving into horror-fantasy as he prepares to direct and co-write an adaptation of Joe Abercrombie’s recent novel, The Devils. This bold move comes as Cameron winds down work on Avatar: Fire and Ash, generating excitement among fans anticipating his return to the horror genre for the first time since his 1982 debut.
Cameron Tackles a Dark New Adventure
The announcement signals a fresh direction for Cameron, who is renowned for blockbuster action and science fiction films. Now, he will join forces with author Joe Abercrombie to transform The Devils—a sharply witty, genre-blending tale—into a cinematic experience. Discussing the project, Cameron provided insight into his thoughts:
“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?”
—James Cameron, Director
Abercrombie’s novel, released just last month, is described as
“Mixing the central conceit of Suicide Squad with Hammer Horror vibes, as viewed via the lens of alternate history.”
The story unites an unlikely team—a librarian, a werewolf, a knight, and a vampire—facing an invasion of bloodthirsty elves. Cameron’s plan to adapt this layered narrative is set to blend gritty fantasy with horror in a way rarely seen on screen.
Creative Collaboration and Anticipation
Cameron’s enthusiasm for working with Abercrombie is evident, highlighting the collaborative spirit he intends to bring to the screenplay:
“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. 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.”
—James Cameron, Director
The Devils will be Cameron’s first foray into horror-fantasy since early in his career, which began with Piranha 2: The Spawning. This marks a significant turn for a filmmaker whose recent years have been absorbed by the ever-expanding Avatar franchise. While Avatar 3 is slated for release this year and additional sequels are scheduled through 2031, Cameron’s pursuit of The Devils suggests a desire to explore new creative territory beyond the world of Pandora.
What to Expect Next
No release date has been set for The Devils adaptation. However, anticipation is building, especially as Cameron is known for bringing big-budget spectacle to every project he touches. The story’s ensemble—featuring a librarian, werewolf, knight, and vampire—echoes influences from Suicide Squad and Hammer Horror, promising an unusual mix of dark humor and supernatural action. Fans of Cameron’s previous work with Disney, his collaborations with talents such as cult director Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Fassbender, and his passion for epic narrative will be watching this development closely. As James Cameron adapting horror-fantasy novel The Devils moves forward, genre fans and moviegoers can look forward to updates on this inventive vision soon.
The Devils is one of several highly anticipated horror and fantasy productions on the horizon, marking an exciting period for audiences eager for bold, imaginative stories.
