Last week, The Hollywood Reporter announced one of the most exciting pieces of fantasy adaptation news in quite a while: Apple TV has reached a deal with genre heavyweight author Brandon Sanderson to adapt his Cosmere universe for the screen. That means that not only is Apple making a screen adaptation of Mistborn, but also of Sanderson's opus series The Stormlight Archive and more besides. The Cosmere is a vast, interconnected universe of more than 20 books, and Apple is poised to commit for the long run.
Best of all, Sanderson will remain heavily involved as the "architect" of this on-screen universe, with writing and producing duties as well as approval on creative decisions. That's a level of control that is nigh unheard of for an author getting an adaptation, but it shouldn't be too surprising, considering how much of a megastar Sanderson is in the space and how dilligent he's been over the years about getting just the right screen deal for himself.
We're still sorting through the implications of this far-reaching deal, but thankfully, Sanderson isn't one to leave fans hanging. He jumped onto Reddit shortly after the deal with Apple was announced to weigh in directly with his readers, and revealed a few exciting things that are in store.
Why Brandon Sanderson went with Apple TV for the Cosmere
Sanderson revealed that he flew out to Hollywood in May for an extensive slate of studio meetings. By the author's recollection, this was the first time he had gone to Hollywood to ply the Cosmere for adaptation deals since 2016, and unlike past attempts, this time he met with "the real decision makers" at studios, rather than "just producers or low level executives." It sounds like Sanderson had multiple options on the table, saying he received "the red carpet treatment" as he went from studio to studio looking for the best option. Eventually, he found it in Apple TV.
"The decision to pick Apple was due to two factors," Sanderson wrote. "First, the level of approvals and control. Apple wants to be a true partner with me, and they feel like they really get what I want to do. Second, their track record. Apple does fewer things, but with higher quality, than some other studios. I find virtually every thing of theirs I watch is excellent and creator driven."
It's hard to argue with that assessment; it's part of why I made the argument back when Prime Video canceled The Wheel of Time that Apple would have been the best option of the streamers to save the series. But let us not go too far down that road, for it leads only to heartache.
Brandon Sanderson will write the Mistborn movie
The creative control Sanderson mentioned is key. As of this writing, we know that Apple is planning to start its Cosmere adaptation with Mistborn movies and a Stormlight Archive television show. Sanderson stated that he will be hands-on with the Mistborn movie, which likely means it's the first thing the studio will get moving.
"I will be writing the Mistborn screenplay myself over the next 5 months, as my full time work. Goal is for a theatrical Mistborn, then Stormlight show after. Focus on doing it carefully and right," Sanderson said.
Now, if you've lived through Game of Thrones and the subsequent eternal wait for George R.R. Martin's next book, The Winds of Winter, Sanderson's talk about being so involved might raise some alarm bells. He may be one of the most prolific authors in the field right now, but how would that change, with him working directly on these adaptations? After all, he still has five books left in The Stormlight Archive, and he isn't even due to start writing on the next one for a few more years while he finishes up Mistborn Era 3.
If any author deserves the benefit of the doubt that he can pull this off without dropping the ball on his books, it's Sanderson. But he understands the fear. "I promise not to get too distracted to do books," he said. "However, if I want this done right, I need to give some real attention and heart to it now."
Personally, I'm all for Sanderson being as involved as possible in Apple Cosmere franchise. We're talking about the fantasy book equivalent of the MCU here. Having the author present is going to be key to make sure that none of the individual projects drop plotlines or elements that will be relevant down the road. For fans who've been waiting many years to see series like Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive make the leap to the screen, it's a sign that we may actually get the films and shows we've been dreaming of.
We'll have our ear to the ground for updates about Sanderson's Cosmere adaptation, but fortunately, you don't have to wait that long to return to the Cosmere. The Tor edition of Brandon Sanderson's latest Cosmere Secret Project book, Isles of the Emberdark, hits bookstore shelves this Tuesday, February 3.