Epic Fantasy Adventures: Apple TV’s Adaptation of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive

The success of sci-fi series such as For All Mankind, Severance, Foundation, Silo, and Pluribus has inspired Apple TV to make a bold move. The platform has acquired the rights to the Cosmere universe, created by the renowned fantasy author Brandon Sanderson.

Apple intends to bring the Mistborn novels to the big screen and develop a TV series based on The Stormlight Archive series. What sets this project apart is that Sanderson will have extensive creative control over the adaptations – serving as the writer, producer, and advisor, making it a passion project for him.

Apple’s approach may be a response to the decline in quality often seen in later seasons of popular series like HBO’s Game of Thrones or Netflix’s The Witcher, which suffered from deviating from the original source material without the author’s input. This level of involvement from Sanderson is great news for his vast fanbase, as his books have sold over 50 million copies, and his annual fantasy convention always sells out.

While Apple TV+ may not hold a significant market share compared to giants like Netflix or Disney, it has built a reputation for ambitious and high-quality series. The platform aims to maintain this standard while creating a franchise that can compete with the likes of Warner Bros’ Harry Potter, Amazon’s Rings of Power, and Disney’s Star Wars.

Details about Apple’s upcoming films and series are scarce at this point. However, we will provide an overview of Sanderson’s universe to give you a glimpse of what to expect from the Mistborn movies and The Stormlight Archive TV show.

Exploring The Cosmere Universe

The Cosmere is a vast universe comprising several planets that serve as the backdrop for many of Brandon Sanderson’s novels. These novels span various genres, including high fantasy, urban fantasy, and upcoming cyberpunk stories.

At the core of the Cosmere universe lies Adonalsium, a mysterious entity that once resided on the world of Yolen. After Adonalsium’s demise at the hands of conspirators, its power fragmented into twelve elements known as Shards, each embodying an Intent such as Honour, Harmony, or Odium. These Shards were taken by Vessels, who traveled to new worlds and shaped them with their powers.

Works set in the Cosmere universe by Sanderson include:

• Elantris (2005), a novel
• Mistborn, a series of novels
• Warbreaker (2009), a novel
• The Stormlight Archive, a series of novels
• Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection (2016), a collection of short stories
• White Sand (2016-2019), a graphic novel series
• Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023), a novel
• Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023), a novel
• The Sunlit Man (2023), a novel
• Isles of the Emberdark (2025), a novel

Unveiling the Mistborn Film Franchise

Apple is set to bring Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series of novels to life on the big screen, set on the planet Scadrial within the Cosmere universe. Currently spanning two eras, with plans for a total of four, the series delves into:

ERA ONE

• The Final Empire (2006)
• The Well of Ascension (2007)
• The Hero of Ages (2008)
• Secret History (2016), a novella

ERA TWO

• The Alloy of Law (2011)
• Shadows of Self (2015)
• The Bands of Mourning (2016)
• The Lost Metal (2022)

Scadrial, shaped by the Shards of Preservation and Ruin, is a dystopian world where magic reigns through three metallic systems: Allomancy, Feruchemy, and Hemalurgy. The First Era novels follow a group of Allomancers striving to overthrow the oppressive Lord Ruler.

The Second Era, blending urban fantasy and steampunk, takes place years later, focusing on lawman Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian and his deputy Wayne as they combat the criminal organization known as The Set.

Dragonsteel Books

Exploring The Stormlight Archive Series

In addition to the films, Apple is developing a TV series based on Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive, a high fantasy series set in the Cosmere universe on the planet Roshar.

The current series comprises:

• The Way of Kings (2010)
• Words of Radiance (2014)
• Edgedancer (2016), a novella
• Oathbringer (2017)
• Dawnshard (2020), a novella
• Rhythm of War (2020)
• Wind and Truth (2024)
• Horneater (2026), a novella

Roshar, with its unique geography and flora, is home to the Knights Radiant, a magical military order. The novels in the series feature diverse viewpoints and interludes, each focusing on a different order of the Knights Radiant.

Dragonsteel Books

Anticipating the Premiere of Mistborn Films and The Stormlight Archive TV Series

Apple has not disclosed the release dates for these projects yet. Given the scale of these endeavors, audiences can expect a wait of several years before the films and series debut.

The adaptation process, from scripting the vast source material to visualizing the worlds of Scadrial and Roshar, casting, costume design, set creation, and post-production, presents a significant challenge that will require time and meticulous planning.

Potential Cast for the Films and Series

No actors have been announced for Apple’s projects as of now, as the adaptations of the Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive series are still in the early stages of development.

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