James Cameron Turns Dark Medieval Riff on Suicide Squad into Epic Film

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Summary

  • James Cameron to direct The Devils movie, based on Joe Abercrombie’s novel, known for dark, fantastical tone.
  • The Devils follows a team transporting a valuable item in middle-ages Europe, led by a young female pope.
  • Cameron’s adaptation may focus on character depth and less on plot, aiming for an adult-oriented franchise.

The film adaptation for Joe Abercrombie’s book, titled “The Devils,” is being directed by James Cameron. This book was released on May 13, 2025, and has received widespread acclaim, with Hollywood’s top storyteller quickly securing the rights to it. The story takes place during the Middle Ages and centers around a group of monstrous characters tasked with transporting a highly valuable, yet devilishly dangerous, artifact safely.

This year on December 19, Cameron’s latest production titled “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is scheduled for release. Following this sci-fi film, Cameron plans to shift his focus to a project that’s more grounded in reality and suitable for families – a stark contrast from the grisly, gothic style often associated with it, as described by Forbes and other sources as being akin to “Suicide Squad” in its violence and atmosphere.

What Is The Devils About?

The aforementioned Forbes critique stated that the book is ineffective. However, Cameron expresses his dissenting opinion in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, stating that he believes otherwise.

For a long time, I’ve admired Joe’s writing… However, the unique charm of the setting and characters in “The Devils” was what ultimately motivated me to purchase one of his books and collaborate with him on adapting it for the big screen.

The story of The Devil certainly seems like a refreshing twist on a classic plot device, often referred to as a MacGuffin. The intricate visual style and propensity for grandeur that James Cameron is known for are sure to enhance the thrilling narrative.

In a captivating alternate tale of medieval Europe, I find myself drawn to “The Devils,” where the leader is none other than a young girl, not a woman, but a girl, gracing the mantle of Pope. With her female clergy by her side, she embarks on an extraordinary journey. Having inherited her position legitimately, she proclaims another young girl as princess of an Eastern empire following the demise of its empress. To escort this girl to the east and crown her as empress, they rely on The Devils – enchanted beings tasked by the Pope for their invaluable services.

This team includes an extremely old vampire whose advanced age is evident, a war general who never dies but continues to bear his wounds, an elf from the most reviled faction in the world, and an individual who practices necromancy. The elf’s unique ability is to become invisible when she holds her breath. A necromancer accompanies them, but he can only be effective if there are dead bodies nearby.

As a movie aficionado, I find myself in agreement with many reviewers – this film’s strength lies primarily in its captivating characters and exceptional writing style. The prose is indeed a joy to behold, even if the plot might seem a bit lean. For a director like Cameron, known for his visionary approach to storytelling through visual mediums, this could be an ideal project that allows him to showcase character development and stunning visuals to their full potential.

How Is James Cameron Equipped To Handle The Book?

The Devil” is the initial installment in a potential series, implying that audiences may expect a more mature James Cameron film franchise. With the relatively simple plot from Abercrombie’s book, Cameron can potentially develop a two-to-three-hour film that maintains a concise storyline without feeling overly condensed or lacking detail.

As a movie enthusiast, I believe James Cameron has the knack for truly bringing a story to life, rather than just recounting it. Instead of delivering a condensed or summarized version of the book, he can skillfully translate its richly developed characters and pivotal events from the page to the screen. This way, he can create scenes that resonate emotionally, much like Abercrombie’s words come alive visually in our minds.

It can be trusted that Cameron is the right choice for adapting Abercrombie’s work. Not only does he boast a distinguished background as a filmmaker, but also his past projects have been heavily influenced by literature. In fact, Cameron himself has acknowledged that ‘Avatar’ was substantially impacted by the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs and H. Rider Haggard, authors renowned for their adventure and science fiction novels. He is certainly no novice when it comes to bringing books to life on the big screen.

How Big Of A Departure Will The Devils Be From Avatar 3?

The upcoming movie titled “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is predicted to be more somber compared to other films, but not as grim as “The Devils.” In “Avatar 3,” we can expect a focus on the emotional turmoil of Zoe Saldaña’s character as she grapples with grief following a significant death depicted at the end of the second film.

The title of the film, “Fire and Ash,” suggests a darker, more intense tone compared to the tranquil setting of the franchise’s initial movie and the serene environment of the second. Interestingly, James Cameron is gearing up to tackle the challenging themes and brutal content of Abercrombie’s “The Devils” with “Fire and Ash.

The film titled “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is expected to earn a PG-13 rating, while “The Devils” might struggle to get past the first chapter without an R-rating. Contrary to popular belief, comparing “The Devils” to “Suicide Squad” isn’t entirely accurate. Instead, “The Devils” delves into a much darker and more fantastical realm compared to the humorous, superpowered world of DC’s “Suicide Squad”. In essence, it shares a similar spirit with James Gunn’s “Creature Commandos”, a project known for its unyielding and gruesome depiction.

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2025-06-05 21:35