The monster-filled world of The Last Kids on Earth is getting a live-action makeover, with Disney officially ordering a pilot based on Max Brallier’s bestselling children’s book series.
The project marks the latest attempt to bring the wildly popular post-apocalyptic adventure franchise to a new generation after the success of the animated Netflix adaptation, which ran from 2019 to 2021 and earned praise for its blend of comedy, action, horror and heart.
According to reports, the live-action adaptation is being developed for Disney Branded Television, with veteran television writers and producers Chad Fiveash and James Stoteraux attached to write, executive produce and serve as showrunners.
The duo previously collaborated on series including The Vampire Diaries, Batwoman and Gotham Knights. Acclaimed director Kevin Tancharoen, whose credits include The Book of Boba Fett and The Brothers Sun, will direct and executive produce the pilot.
The Book Series That Led To Animation
Originally published in 2015, Brallier’s The Last Kids on Earth books follow orphan Jack Sullivan and his friends as they transform the monster apocalypse into the ultimate playground.
Living in a fortified treehouse, battling zombies and giant creatures, and searching for adventure instead of surrendering to fear, the series has sold millions of copies worldwide and expanded into multiple novels, graphic novels and the Emmy Award-winning animated series.
While Disney has not yet announced casting, reports indicate that the production is searching for teenage actors to portray Jack Sullivan, June Del Toro, Quint Baker and Ruby Del Toro, with filming on the pilot expected to begin in Chicago during the summer of 2026.
The Pilot Order Is Just The Start
The pilot order represents an important first step, but it does not yet guarantee a full series. A premiere date has not been announced, industry observers suggest that, should the project receive a series pickup, a release sometime in late 2027 or 2028 would be a realistic target given the production timeline.
For fans of the books and the animated adaptation, the announcement offers an exciting opportunity to see Jack’s monster-infested world recreated with practical sets, visual effects and live actors.
With an experienced creative team behind the camera and one of children’s publishing’s most successful action-comedy franchises as its foundation, Disney is betting that The Last Kids on Earth can find new life in live action while introducing the beloved story to an entirely new audience.
