The media has been in an uproar since Disney lost the rights toChildren of Blood and Boneand the IP landed at Paramount. Tomi Adeyemi’s boundary-breaking YA fantasy book series is finally getting the screen adaptation it deserves, but Disney isn’t going to reap the rewards. After losing out on this project,it would make sense for Disney to cling to the rights it still has to iconic fantasy books.In recent years, interest in speculative fiction has been growing, and it’s clear there’s a demand in the market for great fantasy movies and TV shows.
TheChildren of Blood and Bonemovie adaptation is excitingfor many reasons, as it has the potential to be the biggest fantasy franchise of the 2020s. However, this was far from Disney’s only intellectual property that would’ve filled this niche. Unfortunately, the studio has repeated its decision to set another iconic novel series loose. Fans ofChildren of Blood and Bonewho watched Disney let the story sit on its shelf, never bringing it to life, might be shocked to learn thatDisney is repeating this misstep, which the studio might come to regret.
Disney Is Repeating The Same Mistake It Made With Children Of Blood & Bone With ACOTAR
This isn’t the first time Disney has let go of a potential blockbuster hit
Though it’s a bit confusinghow Disney lost the rights toChildren of Blood and Bone, the studio has been more than happy to do the same withA Court of Thorns and Roses. ThoughChildren of Blood and Bonefalls within the YA genre andACOTARis a romantasy series intended for adult readers, the fantasy series have followed similar trajectories in their potential screen adaptations.When the news came out that Disney wasn’t going to continue with its highly anticipatedACOTARTV show, it was a major blow to the fandom and disappointing for the studio.
While it would’ve been difficult to get the story right and meet audience expectations, it doesn’t make sense that Disney wouldn’t rise to the challenge.
Sarah J. Maas’A Court of Thorns and Rosesbook series has made its mark on the fantasy genre. Since the first book was released in 2015, it’s been one of the definitive additions to the romantasy genre of the 21st century, frequently referenced and discussed within fantasy circles. This kind of press and popularity would’ve all but ensured the popularity of a screen iteration of the story. While it would’ve been difficult to get the story right and meet audience expectations, it doesn’t make sense that Disney wouldn’t rise to the challenge.
Children of Blood and Bone
2018
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
2019
Children of Anguish and Anarchy
2024
The ACOTAR Show’s Fate Proves Disney Hasn’t Learned From Losing Its Big Fantasy Franchise
Disney is repeating the past with its ACOTAR decision
Now that it’s been confirmed thatHulu’sA Court of Thorns and Rosesshow isn’t happening, it’s frustrating to see that Disney is setting a precedent with these big fantasy franchises. While it’s true that Disney has had no trouble making money and landing the rights for plenty of great books and original scripts, it’s surprising that the studio is so willing to let go of two massive franchises. Within the YA and romantasy genres,there are very few series with the following and name recognition ofChildren of Blood and BoneandACOTAR.
Now thatChildren of Blood and Bonehas been making a splash in the media since it moved to Paramount, Disney might be rethinking its decision to let the rights expire. Instead of learning from this mistake, the studio has done the same withACOTAR, which could’ve easily found a place in the contemporary fantasy genre on TV. Television is still in the middle of a fantasy renaissance, andACOTARwould’ve easily stood out thanks to the romance angle and the popularity of Maas' work.ACOTARisn’t the only series by Maas that has garnered international attention.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
2015
A Court of Mist and Fury
2016
A Court of Wings and Ruin
2017
A Court of Frost and Starlight
2021
Children Of Blood & Bone’s Progress At Paramount Offers Hope For A Court Of Thorns & Roses
Fans shouldn’t give up on the possibility of an ACOTAR show
Although it’s inconvenient for those who have been waiting for theACOTARscreen adaptation for a long time, the future ofChildren of Blood and Boneis great news forACOTAR. Since Paramount picked up theChildren of Blood and Bonemovie, there have been huge strides forward in bringing the project to life.With Gina Prince-Bythewood attached to direct and an all-star cast confirmed to be starring,it seems as though moving to Paramount was what the upcoming film needed. While Adeyemi’s series was with Disney, little forward momentum was made to propel the project.
This Long-Awaited Fantasy Adaptation Offers Hope For The ACOTAR Show After Disney Scrapped Both
Though the recent updates surrounding the ACOTAR TV show have been disappointing, other fantasy adaptations provide some hope for its future.
It’s not uncommon for studios to let intellectual property rights expire, and it’s better for the overall longevity ofA Court of Thorns and Rosesshow if it lands with the right production company. Though it means the series is back to square one and is going to be shopped around to other studios, there’s likely a great company waiting to snap up the rights and giveA Court of Thorns and Rosesthe same treatment as the upcomingChildren of Blood and Bonemovie. It will be interesting to see where Maas' beloved story lands.
Children of Blood and Boneis slated to be released in 2027.
