Recent years have seen a plethora of fantasy book adaptations, and there’s one phenomenal grimdark series that I’m shocked hasn’t been made into a film or TV series. Since Game of Thrones ended, I’ve been waiting for the next great fantasy TV series to lure me into its world and capture my imagination in a similar way. I was really excited about shows like The Witcher and The Wheel of Time, but I couldn’t get over the production value in comparison to what HBO had offered with Game of Thrones or what Peter Jackson developed with The Lord of the Rings movies.

There are still so many great fantasy books that deserve adaptations, and I’ve begun diving into many of these expansive series to fill the void left by GoT and A Song of Ice & Fire. From modern authors like Brandon Sanderson and Samantha Shannon to older fantasy books by Guy Gavriel Kay and Tad Williams, there’s so much great material that I’d love to see brought to life on screen. That is, if they’re going to be brought to life with the resources and respect that these stories deserve.

I’m Surprised & Disappointed That The First Law Trilogy Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet

The First Law Could Be The GoT Answer Hollywood Is Looking For Without Damaging Its Story

Joe Abercrombie is one of the most exciting contemporary fantasy authors, with a witty sophistication to his prose that matches the strength of his character work and world-building. The First Law trilogy, which is the first section of a larger saga with standalone novels, short stories, and another book trilogy, is perfect for adaptation. I’ve made comparisons between The First Law and Game of Thrones before, in how I could see them offering a similar cultural appeal as gritty fantasy stories that subvert genre norms.

With shows like The Boys, there’s undoubtedly a market in Hollywood for material that offers a generally more cynical approach to classical archetypes and narrative structures. Even more so than Game of Thrones, The First Law is a series that examines characters with questionable morals, challenging the reader to sympathize with their situations in an often cruel world. The First Law is packed with dark humor, it’s raunchy, it’s violent. It’s the perfect trilogy to make into an R-rated, adult fantasy, Lord of the Rings counterpoint.

Why Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Books Would Make Ideal Adaptations

The First Law Isn’t As Expansive As Other Fantasy Epics, Meaning It Could Fit The Movie Format

As mentioned, The First Law can appeal to modern audiences’ desires for morally gray characters and darker fantasy worlds. One of the main reasons many fantasy shows are struggling is that many streaming services have piled money onto shows in hopes of achieving the next Game of Thrones when not every story is Game of Thrones. Of course, The First Law isn’t Game of Thrones either, but it doesn’t require as vast of a tonal shift as a fantasy world like The Wheel of Time, which is far more magical and vibrant.

One of my biggest points for The First Law is that each volume is concise enough to work as a movie. TV budgets seem to be an issue for several fantasy shows, giving them an aesthetic that feels cheesy and inauthentic. Three average-length movies could cover the vital material in The First Law trilogy, while other fantasy books simply can’t be condensed into film format without sacrificing crucial elements. Joe Abercrombie’s books have the ideal tone and the ideal length to result in marketable Hollywood movies.

Best Served Cold News Offers Hope For The Fantasy Series (But I’m Still Skeptical)

A Movie Was In Development, But There’s Been No Updates For Almost A Year

There was news about an adaptation of Best Served Cold in 2023, with Rebecca Ferguson attached to star and Deadpool director Tim Miller reportedly on board to helm the project (via Deadline). Best Served Cold is a standalone novel in The First Law universe that’s packed with riveting action and strong character work, making it ideal for a one-off trial movie. If the movie were to happen and be a success, it certainly seems plausible that The First Law trilogy could see adaptations following shortly behind.

However, this news was before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and it seems like many Hollywood studios have shied away from big-budget fantasy projects. None of the fantasy TV shows that launched have had success anywhere close to the cultural appeal of Game of Thrones, and they’re massive investment risks. There’s been no news about Best Served Cold following the strikes. While I hope it’s still moving forward, I’m skeptical about it. Hopefully, The First Law universe will find a new path forward soon, but at least there are plenty of great books to read in the meantime.

Sources: Deadline