Disney Lands Film Rights to Divine Rivals
The studio took over the adaptation of Rebecca Ross' bestselling romance-fantasy novel after Paramount's rights lapsed.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Books
Disney has acquired the film rights to Rebecca Ross' romance-fantasy novel Divine Rivals after Paramount's rights lapsed. Paramount had won the rights in a June 2025 bidding war before the lapse occurred during its merger with Skydance.
Why it matters
The move gives Disney a title with a large existing readership, as Divine Rivals has sold over one million copies. For U.S. readers and moviegoers, it signals another book-to-screen adaptation moving into development.
Divine Rivals has sold over one million copies, according to the extraction, though no sales period or comparison figure is given. The screenplay has no confirmed writer, and the production is still in early development.
The players
Disney
The Walt Disney Company is a major American entertainment conglomerate known for its film studio, streaming services, and theme parks.
Paramount
Paramount Pictures is a Hollywood film studio whose rights to the novel lapsed during its merger with Skydance.
Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross is an author best known for the romance-fantasy novels Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows, part of her Letters of Enchantment duology.
Sofia Alvarez
Sofia Alvarez is a screenwriter who was attached to adapt Divine Rivals while Paramount held the film rights.
The details
Sofia Alvarez was attached to write the screenplay while Paramount held the rights, but her commitment ended when the rights lapsed. Disney is now looking for a new writer, and the project is in the early stages of production.
Timeline
April 2023: Divine Rivals was published.
December 2023: Ruthless Vows, the sequel, was published.
June 2025: Paramount won the rights in a bidding war.
November 7, 2026: Disney's acquisition of the rights was reported.
Industry Dynamics
Studios competing for popular romance-fantasy titles reflect a broader push to adapt bestselling young-adult and genre fiction. Rights changing hands after an earlier deal lapses is a recurring pattern in book-to-film development.
Viewers will not see Divine Rivals on screen until a screenplay is finished and a release date is set, which has not been announced. Readers can still access the novel and its sequel in the meantime.
The takeaway
Rights deals in book-to-film development can change hands quickly when earlier agreements lapse. Readers of Divine Rivals can expect any film version to remain in early development for some time.
Further reading
For more on book adaptations, browse the Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Collider.
