Disney Adapts Katherine Rundell's 'Impossible Creatures' into Live-Action Films

Disney announced in 2025 its plans to develop live-action films based on Katherine Rundell's popular children's fantasy series, 'Impossible Creatures'. This enchanting series draws inspiration from 'The Odyssey' and has captivated a wide readership. Rundell, author of the recently released third installment, 'The Neverfear', is taking a two-year hiatus from writing new books to dedicate her efforts to crafting the screenplay for this exciting adaptation. She expressed her enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the opportunity to translate the rich inner worlds of her novels into visually stunning cinematic experiences, complete with epic battle and dance sequences.

Rundell reflected on her creative journey, stating that the screenwriting process has been an incredibly rewarding experience. She noted the unique strengths of both novels and films, with the former offering deep dives into characters' thoughts and the latter excelling at visual spectacle. The fantastical creatures populating her books will demand high-quality special effects, a challenge Rundell confidently entrusts to Disney's extensive experience in bringing imaginative worlds to life. She believes the core emotional truth, power, and humor of her stories will resonate strongly with audiences, regardless of the special effects involved.

The author meticulously gathers ideas for her fantastical bestiary, accumulating notes across various platforms since 2016. These inspirations range from the truly bizarre, like the bonnacon described by Pliny the Elder, to creatures that embody ancient Roman humor. This blend of the academic and the playful is central to Rundell's success in attracting readers of all ages. She finds joy in exploring serious themes such as power, dread, evil, and greed within a children's narrative, while also ensuring her stories are filled with laughter and wit. For Rundell, humor is a vital tool for connecting with young readers and establishing a shared understanding.

Rundell acknowledges her more academic influences, such as a 17th-century John Donne poem that inspired a character who safeguards human knowledge. Her second book, 'The Poisoned King', draws heavily from Shakespeare's Hamlet, similar to Disney's 'The Lion King'. The latest installment, 'The Neverfear', finds its roots in the Labors of Hercules, a figure Rundell admired for his complex heroism and compelling tales. She aims to infuse her stories with the same vividness and excitement she found in these ancient myths.

While initially envisioning a trilogy, Rundell has since expanded 'Impossible Creatures' to five books, having already outlined the ending and several pivotal scenes. She plans to release the final two books approximately a year apart, continuing the journey of her protagonist, Christopher, as he deepens his connection with animals and bridges different worlds. Rundell describes this narrative arc as deeply personal, reflecting her own childhood desires and those of many children she knows who dream of communicating with animals. She intentionally leaves some plot points open, valuing the process of discovery and surprise in her writing, which fuels her creative drive.