Brandon Sanderson’s Epic Fantasy Universe Is Finally Coming to TV

Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson has signed an unprecedented deal with Apple Studios to bring his bestselling novels to the screen, with his Mistborn trilogy scheduled to be adapted into feature films and his Stormlight Archive series making its way to television.

THR reports that the streaming giant has closed the deal with Sanderson following an intense bidding war with several other major studios. Apple reportedly came out on top thanks to their concession to let Sanderson be the "architect of the universe". This means he will have final say over all creative decisions made in production.

The author will reportedly serve as head writer and producer on a Mistborn trilogy of films and a Stormlight Archive television series. Blue Marble will serve as producers on the latter.

Brandon Sanderson's Books Have Been Waiting A Long Time For An Adaptation

In recent years, Sanderson has become one of his generation's most acclaimed and successful fantasy authors. His books have sold over 50 million copies across the world, and he runs his own convention every year that repeatedly sells out tickets. He has also raised over $100 million through Kickstarter campaigns and crowdfunding, which broke records for the website.

It's thanks to this loyal fanbase that Sanderson has been able to land such a lucrative deal with Apple TV. The author has long said that creative control is something very important to him, and that's why it's taken so long for his books to be brought to the screen.

Sanderson has clearly learnt from other fantasy authors like George R.R. Martin, who notoriously felt betrayed by the lack of creative influence he was given over Game of Thrones.

THR reports that Sanderson met with "most of the studio heads in town" before agreeing to go into business with Apple, suggesting that other studios weren't quite as willing to give him so much control. But the author has seen first-hand just how much fans can turn against a project when it doesn't meet their expectations from the book (note Game of Thrones again), and clearly wants to avoid this at all costs.

Further details of Sanderson's on-screen projects are expected in the coming months; Mistborn is expected to be the first adaptation. The novel trilogy follows a group of metal-powered sorcerers who come together to overthrow the dictatorial Lord Ruler, an immortal God-like figure with a mysterious past.