James Cameron Dives into Dark Fantasy with ‘The Devils’ After ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’
James Cameron is stepping away from the vibrant world of Pandora for his next big project. The acclaimed director, known for blockbusters like ‘Titanic’ and ‘The Terminator’, is set to tackle a chilling new venture. He’s adapting ‘The Devils’, a novel by Joe Abercrombie, into a film that promises a grim and thrilling ride. This move comes right after he wraps up ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, the third chapter in his sci-fi saga.
‘The Devils’ is a dark fantasy tale set in an alternate medieval Europe. It follows a ragtag group of monsters, criminals, and outcasts tasked with saving the continent from flesh-eating elves. Think of it as a gritty, gothic version of ‘Suicide Squad’, blending horror with sharp wit. The story centers on Brother Diaz, a priest expecting a holy mission, only to find himself leading a crew of murderers and magical misfits. Their quest demands brutal choices, and the line between good and evil stays blurry.
Cameron is teaming up with Abercrombie to co-write the script. The author, a fantasy heavyweight behind the ‘First Law’ series, brings a cinematic style that Cameron admires. I’m excited about this partnership, as Abercrombie’s knack for vivid characters and twisted plots seems like a perfect fit for Cameron’s bold storytelling. The novel, released in May 2025, hit number one on the UK’s Sunday Times bestseller list and cracked the top five on the New York Times list.
James Cameron is adapting ‘THE DEVILS’ after ‘AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH’
— ScreenTime (@screentime) June 3, 2025
▪️Set to be a “dark horror adventure”
▪️Original novel described as “gothic Suicide Squad”
▪️Cameron will co-write the script with author Joe Abercrombie pic.twitter.com/8g48NfLNHy
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ hits theaters on December 19, 2025, and it’s keeping Cameron busy in post-production. The film, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña, introduces the Ash clan, a darker Na’vi group led by Oona Chaplin’s antagonist, Varang. It’s the longest ‘Avatar’ movie yet, pushing past the three-hour mark of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. Cameron’s been pouring his energy into this, but he’s already eyeing ‘The Devils’ as his next creative leap.
This isn’t Cameron’s only non-‘Avatar’ project. He’s also working on ‘Ghosts of Hiroshima’, based on Charles Pellegrino’s book about a survivor of both atomic bombings. That film, still in early stages, shows Cameron’s urge to explore real-world history alongside fantasy. With ‘Avatar 4’ slated for 2029 and ‘Avatar 5’ for 2031, he’s juggling a packed slate, but ‘The Devils’ feels like a fresh challenge.
Abercrombie’s work has been adapted before. His novel ‘Best Served Cold’ is in pre-production as a film starring Rebecca Ferguson, directed by Tim Miller. Abercrombie also wrote for Netflix’s ‘Love, Death & Robots’, showing he’s no stranger to the screen. His dark humor and morally gray characters should mesh well with Cameron’s ability to craft epic, emotional stories.
I can’t help but wonder how Cameron will bring this gothic world to life. His early work on ‘Piranha II: The Spawning’ dipped into horror, but ‘The Devils’ feels like a return to those roots with a bigger budget and sharper edge. The story’s mix of vampires, werewolves, and necromancers facing off against elves sounds wild, and Cameron’s visual flair could make it unforgettable.
No release date for ‘The Devils’ has been set, and it’s unclear if Cameron will direct or just write. Given his track record, though, this project is one to watch. After decades of pushing cinematic boundaries, he’s still finding new worlds to conquer.