Sony secures rights to James Islington’s New York Times best-selling book series, and the hype is too real
As Hollywood slows down for its annual holiday exodus, Sony Pictures has made one of the final, and flashiest, industry moves of the year. The studio has secured the screen rights to James Islington’s explosive ‘Hierarchy’ fantasy series, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The acquisition arrives at a perfect moment for Islington’s growing empire. The series’ second novel, ‘The Strength of the Few,’ has stormed the publishing world since its US release on November 11 through Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book entered the New York Times best-seller list at No 1, an impressive feat on its own, but its international impact has been equally staggering.
Propelled by viral enthusiasm on TikTok, BookTok, and long-form reviews across YouTube’s fantasy community, the novel also debuted at No 1 in Canada and landed in top-ranking positions in both the UK and Australia within its first week. Sony’s deal marks one of the most high-profile book-to-film purchases of 2025. However, insiders note that the project is still in its infancy: the studio has not yet announced a writer, director, or producing team. The ‘Hierarchy’ novels are set in a sprawling civilization modeled loosely on the ancient Roman Empire, if Rome had been built on powerful magic and brutal metaphysical exploitation.
At the core of the story is Vis, a young man harboring a deadly secret, who becomes entangled in a dangerous investigation after a mysterious death. His mission thrusts him deep inside the elite ruling system known as the Hierarchy. It’s a near-unstoppable power structure sustained by draining the mental and physical energy, called “the Will,” from ordinary citizens. As Vis digs deeper into the palace’s darkest corners, he uncovers a chain of lies and machinations that ignite a rebellion with the potential to overturn the entire regime. What begins as a desperate quest to stay alive transforms into a sweeping revolution that questions morality and the true cost of a society built on subjugation.
Author James Islington’s road to international success has been anything but conventional. Based in Australia, Islington spent years working in the tech industry before turning to writing full-time. His debut series, ‘The Licanius Trilogy,’ began as a self-publishing venture with ‘The Shadow of What Was Lost.’ Its success quickly drew the attention of major publishers, leading to traditional releases for the subsequent books and establishing Islington as one of fantasy’s rising stars. The first ‘Hierarchy’ book, ‘The Will of the Many,’ released in 2023, became a breakout hit and has only continued to grow in popularity.
Nearly 170,000 Goodreads ratings, including more than 115,000 five-star reviews, showcase just how passionately readers have embraced the world. The novel won the 2023 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel, earned a nomination for the Goodreads Choice Awards, and was named one of Audible’s Best Fantasy Books of 2023. To date, Islington’s works have collectively sold more than 2.5 million copies and been translated into 17 languages. At Sony, executives Peter Kang and Louie Provost will helm the project’s early development, with the studio expected to begin assembling creative leadership in the coming months.
