Disney has secured the rights to adapt Katherine Rundell's acclaimed children's fantasy book series, "Impossible Creatures," into live-action films, with a projected release in 2025. The series, which draws significant inspiration from Homer's The Odyssey, features a rich tapestry of fantastical creatures and tackles complex themes accessible to young readers. Author Katherine Rundell is set to write her first screenplay for the adaptation.
Rundell expressed her enthusiasm for the transition from novel to film, highlighting the unique storytelling capabilities of each medium. "I love the way novels give you access to someone's inner monologue. But I also love that film can create the visual delight of battle scenes and dance scenes," she told Polygon. While the series' imaginative creatures present a challenge for special effects, Rundell is confident in Disney's extensive experience in bringing such visions to life.
The "Impossible Creatures" series is known for its introduction of a wide array of imaginative beings, some drawn from ancient texts like Pliny the Elder's "Naturalis Historia." One such creature is the bonnacon, a bull capable of defending itself with noxious gas and burning excrement, a detail Rundell incorporates to add a layer of ancient Roman humor that appeals to a broad audience.
Rundell's writing often balances profound themes with accessible humor. She noted the unique position of writing for young people, stating, "When you write for children, you owe them jokes. It’s a way of meeting a child eye to eye and saying ‘You and I are in this together.’" This approach allows her to explore serious subjects such as power, dread, and greed, while maintaining an engaging narrative.
Her literary inspirations are diverse, ranging from classical mythology and literature to modern animation. Rundell admits that underlying themes in her work, such as a reincarnating immortal safeguarding human knowledge, are influenced by a 17th-century John Donne poem. Furthermore, her second book, "The Poisoned King," is heavily influenced by Shakespeare's "Hamlet," a parallel she likens to Disney's own "The Lion King." Her most recent book, "The Neverfear," takes cues from the Labors of Hercules, a figure she admired for the complexity and strangeness of his myths.
Rundell initially planned for a trilogy but has expanded the "Impossible Creatures" saga to five books to fully realize the story. She has already outlined the ending and key scenes, with the fourth and fifth installments expected to be released about a year apart. The narrative continues to focus on the protagonist Christopher's connection with animals and his role as a bridge between different worlds. Rundell emphasizes that not all plot points are rigidly mapped out, preserving the element of discovery in her writing process.
