Lightstorm Acquires Joe Abercrombie’s ‘The Devils’ with James Cameron To Co-Write Film Adaptation

James Cameron has announced that his production company, Lightstorm Entertainment, has acquired the rights to Joe Abercrombie‘s book The Devils and is planning to adapt the text into a feature film, co-written by Abercrombie and Cameron. The filmmaker, knee-deep into post-production on Avatar: Fire and Ash, will begin writing the movie once his third Avatar installment is completed.

In a statement written on his Facebook page, Cameron said, “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. The twists and turns come at a rollercoaster pace, and with Joe’s signature acerbic wit and style. The Devils showcases Joe’s jaundiced view of human nature, in all its dark, selfish glory, as told through some decidedly un-human characters. But of course, Joe always teases with the flickers of redemption that make it all worthwhile — and ultimately quite heartwrenching.

I’ve loved Joe’s writing for years, cherishing each new read, throughout the epic cycle of the First Law books, especially Best Served Cold (LOVE IT!) and the Age of Madness trilogy. But the freshness of the world and the characters in The Devils finally got me off my butt to buy one of his books and partner with him to bring it to the screen. 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.”

Additionally, Abercrombie had this to say, “James Cameron has been thrilling audiences, including me, by putting the impossible on film for over four decades. No one can balance mind-blowing action and spectacle with gut-wrenching personal stakes and story the way he does. I can’t think of anyone better to bring this weird and wonderful monster of a book to the screen.”

Source: James Cameron (Facebook)