Amazon is going on the attack in the streaming wars, and one of its most significant projects — an adaptation of Robert Jordan’s 14-volume Wheel of Time series, “is well underway.”
That comes from Amazon co-head of TV Vernon Sanders, who was speaking on the Television Critics Association press tour. Just how far along? In honor of the 30th anniversary of the publication of The Eye of the World, the first novel in the series, showrunner Rafe Judkins posted this on set-photo of the series’ main character, Rand al’Thor (Josha Straowski), standing atop a mountain:
If I remember correctly, Rand and company don’t visit a mountain until the climax of the novel, so we could be looking at an image from the season 1 finale.
Whatever the specifics, it’s great to see the cast and crew at work. “We love what we’ve seen so far,” Sanders added. “These big world building shows take some time to craft,” Sanders added. “There will be news as the year progresses on the series. But we feel incredibly optimistic about the show.” The source material is very rich and could certainly make for a great show, so it’s good to hear Amazon is taking its time with the series.
Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke chimed in as well. “We haven’t seen the first cut, but the material coming out of production looks incredible.” Do these comments imply that a first cut is close? Discuss.
When pressed for an exact release date, Sanders would say only, “I have a quarter I’m thinking of (in regards to its launch) but it’s too soon to say right now.” Ugh. Just once it’d be great to have an executive just spill all the beans, but this is not that time.
In addition to Straowski, the cast also includes Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, Madeleine Madden as Egwene Al’Vere, Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybara, Barney Harris as Mat Cauthon and Zoë Robins as Nynaeve.
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h/t Deadline