Beloved 4.6-Star Fantasy Book Series Reportedly Getting a Major Hollywood Adaptation

by

A popular fantasy book series is being adapted into a major Hollywood movie. While many successful book series like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Twilight have already been made into films, studios are constantly searching for the next big book-to-movie success story.

Sony Pictures is potentially adapting James Islington’s popular fantasy novel series, Hierarchy, into a film franchise. This news comes as the second book in the series is expected to reach number one on the New York Times Best Seller List, and The Hollywood Reporter confirms Sony has secured the movie rights.

This book deal is expected to be one of the largest of 2025, happening just 13 days after the release of Robert Islington’s latest novel, The Strength of the Few.

Sony has acquired the rights to a popular fantasy series, adding a highly-regarded author to its collection. Robert Islington’s debut novel, The Will of the Many, has received excellent reviews, boasting a 4.6/5 rating on Goodreads with over 170,000 reviews.

The book was a finalist for Goodreads’ best fantasy novel of 2023, but Leigh Bardugo’s Hell Bent ultimately won.

Originally from Australia, Islington worked in technology before becoming a successful author. His debut book series, The Licanius Trilogy, has gained a large and passionate fanbase, quickly making him one of the most promising new fantasy writers of the 2020s.

The Hierarchy series is set in Caten, a made-up society heavily inspired by ancient Rome. In Caten, people with less social power are required to give up some of their personal agency – referred to as ‘Will’ – to those in positions of higher status.

The story follows Vis, a young man who joins the Catenan Academy hoping to climb the ranks and solve the mystery of a tragic accident that happened years before. But Vis is also hiding a secret, and it could jeopardize his search for the truth.

Why Adapting The Hierarchy Franchise Is a Perfect Idea

As a huge fan of the Hierarchy books, I know many of us get nervous when a beloved story is adapted for film. We always wonder how much will change, and if it will capture the spirit of the original. But honestly, I think this series is made for the big screen! It feels like it has the potential to be the next huge thing in fantasy, and I’m so excited to see it come to life.

Like popular series such as The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games before it, Hierarchy has a lot going for it. It boasts an intriguing setting, a captivating storyline, and – crucially – a pre-existing, dedicated group of fans.

As a huge fan of James Islington’s Hierarchy series, I’ve been thrilled to see the community really take off since The Will of the Many came out in 2023. It was amazing to see the second book hit number one on the New York Times Best Sellers list – a perfect example of how much this series is resonating with readers!

There’s a dedicated fanbase guaranteed to see this movie as soon as it’s released, regardless of reviews. They’re particularly drawn to stories with strong power dynamics. If the movie is well-made – and early signs suggest it will be, based on the source material – it should generate buzz and attract a wider audience through word-of-mouth.

The world of Caten is incredibly expansive and detailed, comparable to the scope of Game of Thrones, filled with its own unusual customs, laws, and secrets. Successfully bringing that world to life on screen would be a huge achievement. If the movie can also effectively tell the story of Vis within the Catenan Academy, it has the potential to be truly exceptional.

As a huge movie fan, I’m seeing a trend of popular books getting adapted for the screen – think Fourth Wing and Mistborn. It makes me think the Hierarchy series would be a perfect fit right now! It feels like the kind of story that would really work on the big screen, especially with this recent wave of literary adaptations happening.

Read More

2025-11-25 17:35