Katherine Rundell's 'Impossible Creatures' Lands Seven-Figure Disney Deal
Children's author Katherine Rundell, 39, has secured a seven-figure deal with Disney for a film franchise based on her bestselling fantasy series 'Impossible Creatures.' The first film is estimated to cost $100 million to produce. Rundell will write the screenplays and produce alongside her partner, agent Charles Collier. The third book in the five-book series, 'The Neverfear,' publishes next month. Rundell has sold over a million copies and is the first UK children's author since J.K. Rowling to simultaneously top children's book charts in the UK and US. She draws inspiration from John Donne's poem 'Metempsychosis' and addresses climate change as a central theme. Rundell grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, and her foster sister Alison died when Rundell was 10, an experience she calls the 'shaping incident of my childhood.' She has released 15 books to date.
Key facts
- Katherine Rundell secured a seven-figure Disney deal for the 'Impossible Creatures' franchise.
- The first film is estimated to cost $100 million.
- Rundell will write screenplays and produce with partner Charles Collier.
- 'The Neverfear,' book three of five, publishes next month.
- Rundell has sold over a million copies.
- She is the first UK children's author since J.K. Rowling to top children's book charts in both UK and US simultaneously.
- The series is inspired by John Donne's poem 'Metempsychosis'.
- Rundell's foster sister Alison died when she was 10.
- She grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe.
- She has released 15 books.
Entities
Artists
- Katherine Rundell
- J.K. Rowling
- Philip Pullman
- John Donne
- Charles Collier
Institutions
- Disney
- All Souls College, University of Oxford
Locations
- Primrose Hill
- Harare
- Zimbabwe
- United Kingdom
- United States