Tim Burton bought the rights to the book in the 1990s. The story, about a traveling circus that uses chemicals to create genuine freaks, seemed perfect for Burton, but there has been no word about it since. In an interview with Dunn, she stated "He's got the rights. That's half the battle right there. Though it no longer seems like something he'd do. It's a little too horror for him now in my opinion. Though I would love to see this film get made." The Wachowskis also have expressed interest in adapting it for the screen, and Warner Bros. decided to purchase the adaptation rights "indefinitely".