Hollywood, CA – With Avatar: Fire and Ash still six months from lighting up cinemas, visionary filmmaker James Cameron is already gearing up for his next creative chapter. The Titanic and Terminator director confirmed via his official social media platforms yesterday that his production company, Lightstorm Entertainment, has acquired the rights to adapt Joe Abercrombie’s latest fantasy novel, The Devils — and Cameron himself will co-write the screenplay alongside Abercrombie.
Described as a gritty and darkly comedic fantasy epic, The Devils is Abercrombie’s most recent work — released just last month — and is already being hailed as a standout entry in the genre. The story follows a ragtag crew of literal demons thrust into a desperate mission to prevent an apocalypse. Think The Dirty Dozen meets The Witcher, but with more chaos, sharper wit, and morally grey creatures who just might be the world’s last hope.
Cameron, who has long been an admirer of Abercrombie’s work, expressed unfiltered excitement about the project in a statement that read like a fan letter.
“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.”
He continued, praising Abercrombie’s knack for crafting layered characters and unpredictable narratives:
“The twists and turns come at a rollercoaster pace, and with Joe’s signature acerbic wit. The Devils showcases his jaundiced view of human nature in all its dark, selfish glory — as told through some decidedly un-human characters. But Joe always teases redemption in the most unexpected corners. It’s deeply cynical and yet — somehow — heart-wrenching.”
A Match Made in Dark Fantasy Heaven
For Cameron, the collaboration marks a long-awaited dream. He shared how Abercrombie’s earlier novels, particularly Best Served Cold and the Age of Madness trilogy, have left a lasting impression on him as a storyteller.
“I’ve loved Joe’s writing for years, especially the First Law series. The freshness and cinematic flair of The Devils finally pushed me to take the leap. Joe writes in scenes — with a strong visual rhythm and a cinematic structure. It’s a screenwriter’s dream.”
Although there’s no official word yet on whether Cameron will also direct the adaptation, fans of both creators are already buzzing with anticipation. The pairing of Abercrombie’s brutally poetic prose with Cameron’s world-building genius promises something truly unique — and potentially genre-defining.
Cameron’s Busy Post-Avatar Slate
Cameron’s announcement adds The Devils to an already packed slate of future projects. Alongside the final two Avatar sequels, he’s also attached to adapt Charles Pellegrino’s The Last Train From Hiroshima, a sobering historical epic that has lingered in his development pipeline for years.
With Avatar: Fire and Ash expected to premiere in December 2025 and The Devils still in early development, Cameron shows no signs of slowing down. As his storytelling scope shifts from the bioluminescent forests of Pandora to the war-torn, demon-infested landscapes of Abercrombie’s world, audiences can expect nothing less than another bold, immersive cinematic experience.
So, whether you’re a fan of high fantasy, deep character studies, or Cameron’s trailblazing spectacle — one thing’s certain: The Devils is shaping up to be one hell of a ride.
