In September 2010, it was revealed that Sony Pictures Animation will adapt The Familiars into a 3D animated feature film, with Doug Sweetland set to direct it.[5] According to the books' authors, the film was scheduled to be released in 2014 but it got cancelled.[6] Fergal Reilly joined Sweetland to co-direct the film,[7] but in 2013, he left to co-direct The Angry Birds Movie.[8] In January 2013, when it was announced that Sweetland will direct a 2015 film for Warner Bros. (that would eventually become Storks from Warner Animation Group in 2016), Sony Pictures Animation responded that "The Familiars is cancelled."[9] Epstein and Jacobson said in September 2013 in an interview.[10]
In March 2016, Adam Jay Epstein confirmed that the film will be made at another studio.[11]
