James Cameron, a filmmaker best known for redefining cinematic worlds with ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar’ has now set his sights on something far more infernal: Hell itself. Cameron revealed his next project will be an adaptation of Joe Abercrombie’s new novel, ‘The Devils’.
The book’s mix of dark fantasy, twisted humor, and monster-laden missions was so compelling, it “finally got Cameron off [his] butt,” in his own words.
‘The Devils’ Could Be The Dark, Gritty Fantasy Epic We’ve Been Waiting For
James Cameron has long been a fan of Abercrombie’s First Law series, but ‘The Devils’ ignited a particular creative spark. It isn’t just another fantasy tale, it’s genre-blending. Announced via a Facebook post, Cameron described it as a “sharply witty horror adventure” and “a twisted, stylish, alt-universe middle-ages romp,” where monsters might just be the most reliable allies.
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That’s not a metaphor. These aren’t misunderstood antiheroes, these are literal monsters with bloody pasts and grim futures, all recruited for a hellish mission. And for Cameron, that’s exactly the kind of story that makes his directorial heart race. So what is ‘The Devils’ really about? According to its official description, the novel follows Brother Diaz, a religious figure summoned to a supposedly divine mission.
The world Abercrombie creates is crumbling, corrupt, and full of creatures and kings who hunger for power, flesh, or both. Yet despite its bleakness, ‘The Devils’ is laced with pitch-black humor, brutal action, and moments of real, raw human connection, even if those humans are barely recognizable beneath the blood and scars. And that’s what drew Cameron in.
“Joe writes very visually, almost in scenes,” Cameron said. “With a very cinematic structure.” For a director who thrives on spectacle and soul, this makes the adaptation an ideal challenge. Additionally, the story exactly requires the kind of narrative complexity that made ‘The Terminator’, ‘Aliens’, and ‘Avatar’ stand out in their genres.
‘The Devil’ Will Serve As A Creative Break For James Cameron
James Cameron isn’t going at it alone, either. He’ll be co-writing the script with Abercrombie himself. This rare collaboration between filmmaker and author suggests the adaptation will stay faithful to the novel’s tone and spirit. Abercrombie is just as thrilled, stating, “James Cameron has been thrilling audiences, including me, by putting the impossible on film for over four decades… I can’t think of anyone better to bring this weird and wonderful monster of a book to the screen.”
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That enthusiasm is contagious. You’d think after wrapping ‘Avatar 3: Fire and Ash’, due in theaters December 19, 2025, Cameron would want a breather. Instead, he’s gearing up for ‘The Devils’ before ‘Avatar 4’ arrives in 2029. While the Avatar franchise has required years of technological innovation and world-building, ‘The Devils’ offers a different kind of fantasy. It’s more grit than grace, more shadows than sunlight.
It’s dark, it’s chaotic, and it’s weirdly beautiful, and that change of pace might be exactly what Cameron needs before diving back into Pandora. Fans shouldn’t worry, though. This detour doesn’t mean he’s abandoning Avatar. Think of ‘The Devils’ as a creative pit stop. In fact, the project might rejuvenate his vision for the final Avatar installments. Plus, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to see what James Cameron does with a cast of demonic misfits and blood-splattered politics?
