Renowned filmmaker James Cameron is juggling multiple high-profile projects, particularly beyond the vast universe of his Avatar franchise. One of his exciting new ventures includes the adaptation of Ghosts of Hiroshima, alongside recently securing the rights to Joe Abercrombie’s acclaimed fantasy novel The Devils. Cameron has expressed his intent to co-write the screenplay for this captivating story with Abercrombie himself after completing work on Avatar: Fire and Ash. He shared insights with Empire about why he found this particular project irresistible and a must-do for his career.
“It’s absolutely outrageous. The entire narrative is wildly imaginative,” Cameron remarked. “I found myself reading passages from the book out loud to my wife, Suzy, and it hit me: ‘I love this book so much, I need to own it.’”
The Devils presents a gripping tale centered around a notorious group of anti-heroes, featuring a diverse cast that includes a monk, a cursed knight, a pirate, a werewolf, a vampire, a magician, and an elf. Together, they embark on a darkly humorous and blood-soaked adventure. “Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he anticipates receiving a prestigious commendation and a significant holy mission,” the book’s synopsis reveals. “However, his new congregation is composed of unrepentant criminals, practitioners of sinister magic, and monstrous beings. The task he faces will demand ruthless actions from everyone involved to achieve its noble purpose. Elves lurk at the fringes, eager for human flesh, while avaricious princes care only for their own power and comfort. With treacherous challenges ahead, Brother Diaz can count on the devils to aid him.”
The Devils marks a departure from the themes typically explored in Cameron’s works, which adds to its allure. “This story lacks the moral complexity that characterizes Avatar, but I don’t necessarily view that as a negative aspect,” he explained. “While Hiroshima is a project driven by necessity, The Devils is a project fueled by pure enjoyment.”
The highly anticipated first trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash premiered just yesterday, stirring excitement among fans. This sequel continues the epic journey of Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (portrayed by Zoe Saldaña) as they face a daunting new adversary, the Ash People, commanded by Varang (played by Oona Chaplin). The film is scheduled for release on December 19, followed by Avatar 4, which is set to debut on December 21, 2029, and Avatar 5, arriving on December 18, 2031. Cameron is also exploring the concept of a potential animated anthology series, though this idea is still in its early development stages.
