In one of the biggest pure book-to-screen acquisitions of the year, Sony Pictures has acquired film rights to James Islington’s breakout Hierarchy series in a preempt that sources say crossed the seven-figure threshold, capping a frenzied bidding war just days after the second volume, The Strength of the Few, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list.
The announcement, first reported exclusively by The Hollywood Reporter, underscores Sony's aggressive push into high-concept fantasy adaptations amid a landscape dominated by established universes like The Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time. With the first book, The Will of the Many, already a critical darling—having clinched the 2023 Aurealis Award for best fantasy novel, a nomination for the Goodreads Choice Award in the reader's favorite fantasy category, and a spot on Audible's Best of 2023 list—the series has captivated readers worldwide. Islington, whose works have now sold more than 2.5 million copies and been translated into 17 languages, is cementing his status as a go-to voice in epic fantasy.
Overseeing the project for Sony are Peter Kang, president of Columbia Pictures, and executive Louie Provost. The studio envisions a cinematic rollout that captures the intricate world-building and high-stakes intrigue at the heart of Islington's narrative. Details on directors, writers, or casting remain under wraps, but industry insiders suggest the adaptation could align with Sony's recent successes in genre fare, such as the Spider-Man universe extensions and the Uncharted film.
Islington, a former tech industry professional from Australia, first burst onto the scene with his debut series, The Licanius Trilogy, a sprawling tale of time manipulation, prophecy, and moral ambiguity that garnered a devoted following and praise for its philosophical depth. That trilogy, published between 2014 and 2019, laid the groundwork for Islington's signature style: dense, intellectually rigorous fantasies that blend political machinations with visceral action. Transitioning to the Hierarchy books, he has refined this approach, drawing on influences from classical history and speculative fiction to craft a world that feels both ancient and urgently modern.
The timing of the deal is particularly fortuitous. The Strength of the Few, the second volume in the Hierarchy series, rocketed to the No. 1 spot on the New York Times list upon its November 11 release, propelled by word-of-mouth buzz and Islington's growing international profile. Published by Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the book continues the saga's exploration of power, identity, and rebellion, building on the foundation laid by its predecessor. This rapid ascent mirrors the trajectory of other fantasy juggernauts like Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, which have translated page-turning prose into blockbuster screen potential.
As negotiations progressed, representatives for Islington—handled by Paul Lucas at Regal Hoffmann & Associates—emphasized the author's commitment to preserving the series' thematic integrity. While specifics of the agreement, including financial terms, were not disclosed, the acquisition reflects a broader trend in Hollywood: studios seeking out original IP with built-in audiences to counter the fatigue around reboots and sequels. Sony's move positions the Hierarchy adaptation as a potential tentpole, possibly eyeing a theatrical release in the late 2020s to capitalize on the genre's enduring appetite.
The World of the Hierarchy Series
At its core, the Hierarchy series unfolds in the sprawling Catenan Republic, a dystopian empire reminiscent of a magic-infused Roman antiquity where society is stratified into rigid tiers of power and privilege. This pyramidal regime, known simply as the Hierarchy, sustains itself by harvesting the "Will"—a metaphysical essence comprising the mental and physical energies of its lower-class subjects. Those at the apex wield godlike abilities, their dominance enforced through a web of surveillance, indoctrination, and brutal enforcement.
The narrative centers on Vis Telimus, a cunning young fugitive masquerading as a lowborn student at the elite Catenan Academy. Orphaned and stripped of his royal heritage after his homeland's conquest by the Republic, Vis harbors a devastating secret that could unravel the entire system if exposed. Thrust into a deadly investigation surrounding a suspicious death, he must navigate treacherous alliances, unravel ancient conspiracies, and infiltrate the upper echelons of the Hierarchy—all while concealing his true identity and true intentions.
Infused with elements of progression fantasy, where characters level up through cunning and arcane mastery, the series masterfully balances pulse-pounding set pieces with profound questions about free will, exploitation, and the cost of ambition. The Will of the Many introduces Vis's precarious ascent, blending schoolyard rivalries with empire-shaking intrigue, while The Strength of the Few escalates the stakes, delving deeper into the Republic's shadowy underbelly and the fragile coalitions forming against it. Islington's prose, lauded for its clarity and momentum, propels readers through a labyrinth of twists that echo the likes of Dune and The Name of the Wind, yet carve out a distinctly original voice.
Reflecting on the prospect of adaptation in a 2023 Reddit AMA—well before Sony's interest materialized—Islington shared a measured enthusiasm tempered by creative caution:
Part of me thinks how amazing it would be for them to produce something off my stories—but on the flip side, the most successful ones tend to be those who have a really singular vision for what they’re doing. And if there was an adaption of my work, even understanding that it’s a very different medium, I’d want some level of input into how it was done too… so without sitting down and discussing specifics with them, it’s actually really difficult to say who’d be a good choice!
This sentiment underscores Islington's hands-on ethos, honed through years of self-publishing his early works before breaking into traditional markets. As the Hierarchy films take shape, fans of the genre—and newcomers alike—can anticipate a visually stunning translation of this ambitious world, one that honors the author's vision while unleashing its epic scope on the silver screen.
