SF Studios and REinvent has boarded the feature film adaptation of the Villain of Villains, based on the best-selling book series by the Swedish YouTube group IJustWantToBeCool. The film is directed by Alain Darborg with a screenplay by Jessika Jankert. Strive Stories produces the film in collaboration with SF Studios and SVT. The film is expected to premiere in Swedish theaters in January 2026. SF Studios will distribute the film across the Nordic region. REinvent handles international sales.
The Swedish YouTube group IJustWantToBeCool, comprising of Joel Adolphson, Emil Beer, and Victor Beer, has been active for over a decade, creating comedy sketches on YouTube and amassing over 1 million subscribers. In 2022, they released the first book in the Villain of Villains novel series, which since then has sold over 300,000 copies.
“Bringing the Villain of Villains to the big screen is a dream come true for us”, says
IJustWantToBeCool. “We never imagined anyone in Sweden would be crazy enough to try to convert the world we’ve built in the books to film. But if anyone can do it, it’s Alain Darborg,
who will direct the film. His understanding of our humor and his vision will make it into
something truly unique in Sweden, and we’re incredibly excited.”
“SF Studios is immensely proud and excited to back this phenomenal IP and bring it to a
broad audience. The world of the Villain of Villains promises a fresh cinematic universe for adventure-lovers both young and old. We foresee many film adventures with this team in the coming years”, says Yaba Holst, Head of Nordic Acquisition at SF Studios.
“IJustWantToBeCool’s monumental success on platforms like YouTube is virtually
unmatched. With their best-selling the Villain of Villains book series, they’ve proven to be
brilliant storytellers. Adapting their books into a major theatrical release feels fantastic,” says
Nicklas Wikström Nicastro, producer at Strive Stories.
The Villain of Villains follows 12-year-old rebellious Stephanie, who dreams of becoming a superhero like her late mother but fails the entrance exam to the Hero School. She gets a
second chance if she infiltrates the Villain School to retrieve a powerful artifact that’s been
stolen. At the Villain School, her loyalty is tested, and her search leads her to the Villain of
Villains, a malevolent creature threatening the future of both heroes and villains.
The film is directed by Alain Darborg (The Master Plan) and written by Jessika Jankert
(Forever). Joel Adolphson, Emil Beer, and Victor Beer from IJustWantToBeCool will appear as actors and executive producers. The film is produced by Nicklas Wikström Nicastro (A Man Called Ove) for Strive Stories inc collaboration with SF Studios and SVT, and is backed by the Swedish Film Institute.
REinvent handles international sales.