Simon Barry’s path back into the Warrior Nun world is taking shape again — but not as a simple revival of the canceled Netflix series.
Barry and his Vancouver-based banner Reality Distortion Field are in final negotiations to license some of the underlying rights to the original comic book series and related intellectual property, a library that spans more than 100 issues and specials. The plan is to use that material as the foundation for a broader film and television universe.
The talks are with Perfect Circle Productions, led by Dean English, which holds the live-action adaptation rights to Warrior Nun Areala, the manga-style American comic book series created by Ben Dunn and published by Antarctic Press.
For fans who have been watching the property’s uncertain screen future, the development marks the most concrete sign in some time that Warrior Nun may have another life beyond its Netflix run. However, the current effort is not being positioned as a direct continuation of that series. Reality Distortion Field says there are no current discussions with the original cast to return.
A new approach to the franchise
Reality Distortion Field, co-founded by showrunner Barry and executive producer Stephen Hegyes, originally developed and produced the Netflix series. That show starred Alba Baptista, Kristina Tonteri-Young and Lorena Andrea, and followed an orphaned teen who learns she has superpowers as the chosen Halo Bearer for a secret sect of demon-hunting nuns.
The Netflix series was canceled after two seasons, despite having scored high audience approval ratings. In the period after its cancellation, there had been hope among fans that the property might continue through movies. Barry previously believed a trilogy of films based on the series could happen, but that deal never came to fruition.
At that point, the rights were with another company. That pact has since expired, opening the door for the current negotiations with Perfect Circle Productions.
According to Reality Distortion Field, securing the available rights to the comic series would allow the company to develop elements of the Warrior Nun universe that have not yet been explored on screen. The company is also looking at expanding parts of the franchise across films, television and other media platforms.
Barry, whose credits also include Netflix’s Bet, Showcase’s Continuum and Syfy’s Van Helsing, said returning to the property has been on his mind since the original series aired.
“Returning to the Warrior Nun universe is something I’ve been thinking about since the original series aired,” Barry said. “We have a fabulous opportunity not only to dive into more fantastic stories from elements of the Warrior Nun universe, but also to bring our incredible global fanbase of nunkind more of what they loved from the comic book series.”
What happens next?
Reality Distortion Field is expected to be at the Toronto market this week to discuss its plans with potential partners. The company also has the movie Whatcha Want debuting at the festival.
For now, the key point is that the Warrior Nun screen future remains contingent on the rights deal being completed. If the negotiations close, Barry and Reality Distortion Field would be positioned to build from the underlying comic book IP rather than simply trying to restart the Netflix version of the show.
That distinction matters: the effort currently being discussed is broader than a single-series comeback, and it is not tied to confirmed cast returns. Instead, the focus is on using the comic book foundation to develop a larger slate of potential stories across multiple formats.