Harry Potter fanfic by non-binary writer SenLinYu gets multi-million dollar movie deal

Alchemised, the upcoming dark romantasy novel by non-binary writer SenLinYu, which began its life as Harry Potter fan fiction, has been snapped up in a seven-figure movie deal.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Legendary Entertainment – known for its work on The Dark Knight, 300, and Inception – purchased the movie rights for more than $3million, one of the highest prices ever paid for book-to-movie rights.

In a statement, SenLinYu, who uses they/them pronouns, appeared to confirm a deal had been made.

“I’m honoured by Legendary’s incredible enthusiasm for the project and can’t wait to see the world of Paladia come to life,” they told THR.

Alchemised is yet to hit shelves, and will be published by Penguin Books offshoot Del Rey UK on 23 September. Yet the author is already a known name in the Harry Potter fan space, becoming famed for their “Dramione” fan fiction work, which chronicled the forbidden romance between Potterverse staples, Hermoine Granger and Draco Malfoy.

Their first published work, Manacled, began as a Harry Potter meets The Handmaid’s Tale story, set in a world in which Harry Potter is dead. Hermoine is enslaved, Draco is an executioner, and their enemies-to-lovers tale is the centrepiece. The book has received more than 100,000 five star reviews on GoodReads.

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SenLinYu, the non-binary author behind the viral Harry Potter fanfiction ‘Manacled,’ has reworked the story into an original fantasy novel titled ‘Alchemised,’ set for release in September 2025 from Penguin Random House division Del Rey. The story is set in an alternate world of necromancers and corrupt guild families, and centres on Helena MarinoLegendary has secured the movie rights to ‘Alchemised’ in what reports suggest was a seven-figure deal, exceeding $3 million. The sale is being hailed as one of the largest book-to-movie deals of the year, which especially notable for a book that was still unpublished at the time of the deal. #harrypotter #Alchemised #senlinyu #fanfiction#nonbinarytiktok

♬ Harry Potter – The Intermezzo Orchestra

THR reports that Alchemised, SenLinYu’s first official novel, also began its life as Dramione fan fiction, before being spun into a world of its own. It’s set in the land of Paladia and centres a protagonist and “promising alchemist” turned prisoner named Helena Marino. Now, Alchemised and Harry Potter share no direct link.

“In this riveting dark fantasy debut, a woman with missing memories fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy – and the man tasked with unearthing the deepest secrets of her past,” reads the book’s official synopsis.

“In the aftermath of a long war, Paladia’s new ruling class of corrupt guild families and depraved necromancers whose vile, undead creatures helped bring about their victory, holds Helena captive.

“Trapped on his crumbling estate, Helena’s fight – to protect her lost history and to preserve the last remaining shreds of her former self – is just beginning. For her prison and captor have secrets of their own, secrets Helena must unearth, whatever the cost.”

Alchemised is set to become one of the most talked about novel releases of the autumn, with THR reporting that 750,000 copies have been printed ahead of its 23 September release date, plus translations in 21 languages.

The “epic and engrossing” fantasy novel has been listed by numerous publications as a must-read, while Legendary Entertainment’s movie deal will likely ascend interest even higher.

Alchemised is one of a growing number of novels with roots in fan fiction to become Hollywood movie hits.

E. L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey, which started as Twilight fanfic, is perhaps the most notable example, but recent rom-coms including The Idea of You and Red, White & Royal Blue began as celebrity and royal fan fiction stories.

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