A Major Fantasy Movie Was Just Announced, and It Could Be the Next Big Franchise

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If you’ve been hoping for a new, popular fantasy series, you’re in luck! A major movie adaptation has just been announced that could be the next big hit, filling the void left by shows like Game of Thrones. While bringing fantasy to the screen can be tricky, Hollywood is improving. Many projects have tried to match the success of franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones, but haven’t quite made it. Usually, you need a strong story and an existing fanbase to reach that level of popularity. Luckily, Sony Pictures’ latest project has both.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony Pictures has obtained the rights to adapt James Islington’s Hierarchy series, which began with The Will of the Many in 2023. The books have generated significant excitement in the fantasy genre recently, and the second installment, The Strength of the Few, was released on November 11th to positive reviews. It currently has a 4.48 rating on Goodreads and reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list. This film adaptation is expected to further increase the series’ popularity, potentially establishing it as a major franchise. While no actors or filmmakers have been announced yet, there’s hope the project will attract prominent talent.

The Hierarchy Series Is A Great Choice for a Theatrical Release

As a huge film buff, I genuinely think the Hierarchy series would make an incredible movie. It’s already super popular with readers, which is a great start, but it’s more than that. The story across The Will of the Many and The Strength of the Few just feels made for the big screen. I can already picture the visuals – the Roman-inspired setting is amazing, and that energy-based magic system? Seriously cinematic! Plus, the political scheming and constant plot twists would keep anyone on the edge of their seat, even if they haven’t read the books – maybe especially if they haven’t, because the surprises would be totally unexpected.

The Will of the Many follows Vis Telimus, a detective investigating a murder while also hiding secrets of his own. To solve the case, he must infiltrate the powerful, controlling empire that ruined his family, joining their elite training school, the Academy. The story cleverly mixes fantasy, mystery, and dystopian themes, creating a unique and welcome addition to the genre.

The Fantasy Genre Is Overdue for Something as Fresh as Islington’s Story

Despite using familiar elements from popular fantasy stories, The Will of the Many offers a fresh perspective, which is something we really need in 2025. It would be great to see a new fantasy series succeed that isn’t based on an existing, well-known story. While we’re excited about the upcoming Game of Thrones spinoffs and new projects based on Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, they highlight a larger issue in Hollywood: truly original stories are becoming rare and struggling to gain traction. Hopefully, Sony Pictures’ Hierarchy adaptations can help shift this trend.

Looking forward to the new Hierarchy series from Sony Pictures? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-25 04:12