Disney Is Missing Out on a Huge Fantasy Series That Could Run for 8+ Seasons (& Define TV’s Next Big Genre)

by

Disney is overlooking a major opportunity with romantasy – a blend of romance and fantasy – which has the potential to become the next big thing in television, potentially running for eight seasons or more. Since the end of Game of Thrones in 2019, fantasy shows have become increasingly popular. However, romantasy, which is hugely popular in books – like Fourth Wing – hasn’t really taken off on screen. While adaptations of books like Fourth Wing are in development, along with projects like Netflix’s Quicksilver and Prime Video’s Powerless, most are facing lengthy delays or are stalled in development.

Honestly, things aren’t looking great. That one Hulu show everyone was excited about? It fell apart, and it’s been over a year since they canceled it. As a fan, I still think Disney’s making a mistake letting the rights slip away. It would’ve brought a built-in audience to the platform, and more importantly, it had the potential to be a huge, long-running franchise. It’s frustrating to see them miss out, because that show really could have launched the next big thing in television.

Hulu’s Cancelled ACOTAR Show Is a Huge Missed Opportunity

Hulu initially acquired the rights to adapt Sarah J. Maas’ popular Court of Thorns & Roses book series into a TV show in 2021. These books were among the first to gain huge online traction, helping to define the now-popular romantasy genre, making them a promising choice for an on-screen adaptation. However, the project faced numerous problems and delays. When Variety reported that Hulu had cancelled the series, it wasn’t a surprise to many. Despite this, it still feels like a lost chance, given how incredibly popular Maas’ books are.

Hulu didn’t just shelve plans for an ACOTAR series; they also abandoned a Throne of Glass adaptation. They secured the rights to Sarah J. Maas’s original fantasy series back in 2016 (according to Variety), but it never happened, leaving fans disappointed twice over. It’s particularly surprising considering A Court of Thorns & Roses had the potential to run for eight seasons or more.

A Court of Thorns & Roses Series Could Last 8+ Series & Kickstart a Franchise

Beyond creating a hit fantasy show, A Court of Thorns & Roses could have been a long-running success for Hulu. With five books already available and three more on the way—the next two releasing on October 27th and January 12th—there’s plenty of source material. Given the length of Sarah J. Maas’ novels, and assuming typical streaming seasons of 8-10 episodes, the series had the potential to become a major fixture in the fantasy genre.

The popularity of A Court of Thorns & Roses could lead to a larger franchise opportunity. Sarah J. Maas’s books share a connected universe, particularly with her Crescent City series, meaning Hulu could adapt more of her work if ACOTAR is successful. This would give Disney a major fantasy franchise to compete with others, and a chance to become a leader in bringing romantasy—fantasy with a strong romantic focus—to television and streaming, as few platforms are currently prioritizing this genre.

Disney Could Have Defined Romantasy on TV With Hulu’s ACOTAR Show

Romantasy novels are gaining popularity, and it’s only a matter of time before we see major adaptations on screen. While it’s been a slow process, projects like Fourth Wing and Powerless are moving forward. A single hit series could convince Hollywood to invest more in the genre. Hulu’s planned A Court of Thorns & Roses adaptation had the potential to lead the way, but it appears other projects will reach audiences first. Still, any streaming service would be smart to acquire the rights to Sarah J. Maas’ books, as they offer more opportunities for continued storytelling than many other romantasy series.

Read More

2026-05-11 00:41