I Can’t Believe My Favorite V.E. Schwab Book Hasn’t Been Adapted During The Anti-Superhero Era

There are many fantasy books that deserve adaptations but aren’t getting them — but I’m particularly surprised my favorite V.E. Schwab story hasn’t been adapted yet. Schwab is a well-known author in fantasy spaces, and their books have gotten a lot of attention on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Several have even been picked up for movie and TV adaptations, including The Secret Life of Addie Larue and A Darker Shade of Magic. Sadly, these movies seem to be stuck in development hell, just like many other looming fantasy projects.

And my favorite Schwab book was also picked up for an adaptation back in 2013, but a Vicious movie never materialized. I’m not surprised it didn’t come to fruition back then, but I’m a bit disappointed it hasn’t been revisited during the age of anti-superhero projects. With more and more alternative superhero stories coming to the screen, Vicious would fit right in. It’s a shame no studio is planning to adapt it, as it would be an impressive addition to the category.

Related

10 Great Fantasy Books With Settings That Aren’t Based On Western Europe

So many fantasy books base their settings on Western Europe, but there are great additions to the genre that draw inspiration from elsewhere.

I Can’t Believe V.E. Schwab’s Vicious Hasn’t Been Adapted In The Anti-Suphero Era

Victor & Eli’s Story Would Do Well As An Edgy Superhero Series

Edgy superhero shows are incredibly popular these days, with hits like The Boys and Invincible dominating the genre. This is largely because these series take a dark approach to traditional superhero media, breaking the mold and going against viewer expectations. V.E. Schwab’s Vicious does this as well, which makes me believe Victor and Eli’s story would do quite well if it were adapted today. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be on studios’ radars — even though it was slated to become a movie about a decade ago (via Deadline).

Vicious is my favorite V.E. Schwab book, as it explores how superpowers intersect with issues like morality, masculinity, and unchecked ambition. The 2013 novel follows two college roommates who research whether humans can obtain extraordinary powers — and under what conditions. They realize they must push themselves to the brink of death to achieve what they’re hoping for. And when they put their theory into practice, their lives take a dark turn. Victor and Eli then become enemies, with the former seeking revenge against his old friend.

The best part of V.E. Schwab’s Vicious is that neither Victor nor Eli are morally upstanding characters. They paint a dark but realistic picture of what would happen if ordinary humans got their hands on superpowers. For this reason, I can’t help but think this novel would appeal to audiences who love shows like The Boys and The Umbrella Academy.

Related

15 Most Popular Books On BookTok

BookTok has become the go-to place to find book reviews and recommendations, but what are some of the most popular novels on the platform?

Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Bring Vicious To The Screen

The Demand For Dark Superhero Stories Would Give The Book Adaptation A Boost

Vicious would make a great screen adaptation regardless of when it’s released, but the popularity of anti-superhero stories makes now the ideal time to adapt this book. Audiences are clearly seeking darker superhero narratives, whether it’s through television shows like Invincible or R-rated superhero movies like Logan and Deadpool 3. That demand would help Vicious become a hit as a TV series or movie. Schwab’s fantasy books are just as worthy of making that jump. However, because of current media trends, I think this one has the most potential as a modern-day adaptation.

Source: Deadline