Disney Secures Rights to Bestselling 'Impossible Creatures' Fantasy Series

In a major deal, Walt Disney Studios has acquired the film rights to British author Katherine Rundell's award-winning fantasy book series, 'Impossible Creatures.' As part of the agreement, Rundell will write the screenplays for the first two movies in the franchise and produce alongside her creative partner Charles Collier.

The 'Impossible Creatures' series, which debuted earlier this year, is set in the fictional world of the Glimouria Archipelago. The most recent installment, 'The Poisoned King,' became an immediate global bestseller, making Rundell the first U.K. children's author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously reach the No. 1 position on the children's book charts in both the U.K. and the U.S.

Disney has secured theatrical film and ancillary rights to the 'Impossible Creatures' series, with Rundell playing a central role in the creative vision and development of the franchise. Impossible Films, Rundell's production company, will also begin a first-look development relationship with Disney, including Rundell's current and upcoming literary properties.

The author expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, "I'm absolutely thrilled to be linking arms with Disney. It's a privilege to be writing these screenplays and developing these first movies in the franchise." Disney CEO Bob Iger echoed the sentiment, saying, "When I read 'Impossible Creatures,' I knew it belonged here at Disney. I was immediately drawn into the vibrant world Katherine imagined and the possibilities of what we could do together with this story."