James Cameron, the acclaimed director known for his innovative filmmaking, has revealed his next project following Avatar: Fire and Ash. His new film adaptation will bring British author Joe Abercrombie’s recently published dark fantasy novel, The Devils, to the big screen.
Cameron’s production company, Lightstorm Entertainment, secured the rights to The Devils shortly after its release on May 6, 2026. Cameron will co-write the screenplay with Abercrombie, adapting a story about a special unit of monstrous creatures fighting to protect Europe from deadly flesh-eating elves.
James Cameron Describes The Devils’ Unique Blend of Fantasy and Horror
In discussing the adaptation, Cameron painted a vivid picture of the film’s tone and style. He called the story a “sharply witty horror adventure” that blurs the lines in the classic battle between good and evil. Cameron highlighted the setting as a dark, alternate medieval world where survival depends on the very monsters most would fear.
“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? This is Joe Abercrombie in absolute peak form, opening up a whole new world and an ensemble of delicious new characters,”
James Cameron said.
“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
What Sets The Devils Apart From James Cameron’s Avatar Series
In a recent interview with Empire, Cameron shared what initially attracted him to The Devils. Unlike the grand, conscientious themes of the Avatar movies, this project appealed to his desire for something unpredictable and wild. He described the story’s intense and chaotic nature as a major draw.
“It’s nuts. The whole thing is off its tits,”
Cameron said, adding that he found himself reading parts aloud to his wife, Suzy.
“I was literally reading parts of the book out loud to my wife Suzy. And it dawned on me: ‘I like this book so much, I should just buy it.’”
—James Cameron
The director emphasized that The Devils will diverge notably in tone from his previous work, being more of an adventurous romp than a serious commentary.
“It doesn’t have the kind of conscience that Avatar does, but I don’t know if that’s a bad thing. [Hiroshima] is a movie you do because you have to. The Devils is a movie you do for fun,”
Cameron explained.
The Significance of Bringing The Devils to Film
The Devils represents a fresh creative challenge for Cameron as he transitions from the epic science fiction landscapes of Avatar to a dark fantasy realm rich with morally complex characters. By adapting Abercrombie’s visually rich narrative, Cameron aims to explore new storytelling territory that balances horror, dark humor, and fantasy.
This project is expected to broaden Cameron’s artistic portfolio, potentially attracting audiences who enjoy intricate fantasy worlds and anti-heroic figures. As Lightstorm Entertainment progresses with the screenplay, fans eagerly anticipate how this wild, twisted tale will come to life on screen, marking a new chapter for the filmmaker beyond his signature franchise.
