Warner Bros.’ 6-Part Fantasy Novel Adaptation Gets Bold Franchise Plans for the Future

A franchise plan takes shape

The Lunar Chronicles adaptation was first announced three years ago. The Wrap reports that executives are planning for the movie to serve as the first installment in a franchise.

The report describes the plans as evidence of Skydance’s confidence in the property, even after Paramount acquired Warner Bros. Noëlle Raffaele is directing, and Industrial Light & Magic is handling the animation.

Fairy tales in a future world

Melissa Meyer’s series reworks familiar fairy-tale characters in a futuristic setting. Its first book, Cinder, arrived in 2012 and follows a cyborg protagonist in a story inspired by Cinderella.

The series also includes Scarlet, based on Little Red Riding Hood; Cress, a Rapunzel reimagining; Fairest, about Snow White’s Evil Queen; and Winter, tied to Snow White. The wider collection includes Stars Above and the Wires and the Nerve graphic novels.

A busy animation calendar

Animated movies have drawn large audiences in 2026, including Toy Story 5, reported at $1.15 billion, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at $1.01 billion, and Minions & Monsters at $529 million. The 2027 slate includes Ice Age: Boiling Point, The Bluey Movie, Pixar’s Gatto, Shrek 5, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, The New Simpsons Movie, The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania, and Frozen 3. Shrek spinoff Donkey and Incredibles 3 are set for 2028.

Theatrical release date set

The Lunar Chronicles is scheduled for theaters on Friday, November 3, 2028. The project joins a slate that includes established properties and fairy-tale stories.