ND Stevenson’s fantasy novel Scarlet Morning is heading to the big screen, giving young readers another opportunity to see the author’s imaginative storytelling brought to life. Amazon MGM Studios is developing a live-action adaptation of the illustrated middle-grade adventure, following the success of Stevenson’s Nimona.
Kate Herron, best known for directing Disney+’s Loki, is attached to direct and produce. Herron is also co-writing the screenplay with Kari Granlund, while Roy Lee and Darlene Caamaño Loquet are among the producers.
The project brings together an exciting creative team with experience adapting imaginative stories for the screen. Herron’s experience with fantasy and science fiction, combined with Stevenson’s distinctive characters and storytelling, could make the book an appealing family-friendly adventure.
The film is particularly promising for younger audiences because it combines pirates, fantasy, friendship and an exciting journey with themes of belonging, courage and responsibility. However, the project is still in development, and casting and a release date have not been announced.
What Is ‘Scarlet Morning’ About?
Published in 2025 by HarperCollins imprint Quill Tree Books, Scarlet Morning follows two orphans, Viola and Wilmur, who have spent 15 years waiting for their parents to return. When an unusual pirate captain arrives, the children negotiate a place aboard her ship and embark on an adventure that could save the entire world of Dickerson’s Sea.
The illustrated fantasy combines humor, emotional storytelling, and high-seas adventure. Its central themes of friendship, family, growing up and finding hope in a troubled world give the story appeal beyond its fantastical setting.
Stevenson’s previous adaptation, Nimona, showed that his imaginative storytelling can translate successfully to film. The Netflix animated feature earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, helping introduce his work to an even wider audience.
Who Is ND Stevenson?
Stevenson is an award-winning author, illustrator, cartoonist, and television creator. He graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art and first gained widespread recognition with his graphic novel Nimona, which became a National Book Award finalist.
He also co-created the popular comic series Lumberjanes and served as creator and showrunner of Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. His other published work includes the illustrated memoir The Fire Never Goes Out.
With Scarlet Morning, Stevenson brings another imaginative world to readers and potentially a new generation of movie audiences. Parents whose children enjoyed Nimona or adventurous fantasy stories may want to add the book to their family’s reading list.
