Amid the score of fantasy adaptations in the works, Mistborn is one of the biggest. Brandon Sanderson’s epic that spans multiple time periods and a score of amazing characters has been stuck in development hell for over a decade and a half. Thankfully, Apple TV has stepped in with plans to adapt Mistborn as a movie series while also having Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archives prepped for a TV show.
In his usual YouTube update, Sanderson shared the latest on the Mistborn screenplay and how it seems quite close to being done per his self-imposed five-month time limit when he began work.
“Let's get to our update. Mistborn screenplay is at, bing, 90%. We're getting close, though I've been asked to, they haven't really looked at much of it yet, but there are some things they want me to revise as they've seen the outline.”
One of the most important elements of Sanderson’s deal with Apple is that he has full creative control over the Mistborn and Stormlight scripts and other creative input. That’s to avoid the horror stories of other authors who have seen their works butchered by Hollywood.
Sanderson continued that “There's still going to be some revision, so the next few weeks might be slow. Also, I will be going soon on vacation with my wife for our 20th anniversary. I may not be working on the screenplay during that, but I also might.”
It would be like Sanderson to continue doing some tweaks even on an anniversary trip. It appears the movie will adapt the first novel in the saga, The Final Empire, which introduces fans to this world and its unique magical elements. Sanderson has to face the usual challenges of cutting his work down for a two-hour-plus movie and making it more accessible to non-fantasy fans.
Some fans may be worried about these revisions and that Apple is trying to interfere too much. A concern can be how they may be falling into a trap of Netflix and other streamers by explaining what’s happening to the audience who may be only half-watching at home. No doubt, fans are also worried about Apple trying to make this more “commercial” and ignore the depths of the tale that makes it such a hit.
Thankfully, Sanderson’s deal means he still maintains final say on how the screenplay turns out. Having him adapt his own work is far better than someone else doing it, so fans can be assured that this version of Mistborn on screen is just what Sanderson intended.
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