I ca n’t wait to hum Stormlight Archivein a live - natural process adaptation , butBrandon Sanderson is right that it ’s better to hold off for the best possible opportunity . adaptation ofBrandon Sanderson ’s Cosmere universehave been a discussion topic among fantasy fans for years , especially after the boom that followedGame of Thrones . Despite Sanderson ’s books being some of the most democratic in contemporary phantasy , theMistbornmovie was announce as being junk , among other things the author verbalize about in his yearly State of Sanderson blog post .
The Stormlight Archiveis by far my favorite series Brandon Sanderson has written , but like many others , I began my Cosmere journey withMistborn , and I ’m look forward to seeing both in resilient action . InSanderson ’s blog post , he shared some thoughts on aStormlight Archiveprestige TV serial , saying that he ’s decline opportunities because he does n’t “ finger like it ’s the right clip for The Stormlight Archive . ” This is sadden newsworthiness , in a way , but I understand the thought outgrowth and suppose he ’s absolutely right . Waiting for the opportune moment can unlock the full potentialof aStormlightadaptation .
As Much As I Want A Stormlight Archive Adaptation, Brandon Sanderson Is Right To Wait
It’s Better To Wait For A Better Filmmaking Landscape
I want to seeThe Stormlight Archiveon boob tube just as much as anyone , but it ’s not the right clock time . As someone who love the Cosmere books but also intimately surveil the film manufacture ’s trends , Sanderson is correct in state that Hollywood is struggling right now . After the pandemic and the 2023 WGA and SAG - AFTRA strikes , the money that was flowing into studios for undertaking likeThe Rings of PowerandThe Wheel of Timeis no longer there . cyclosis services are being far more conservative about the projects they ’re unforced to invest in .
AfterGame of Thrones , studio all hoped to emulate HBO ’s success , but none of the subsequent fancy series have come anywhere close to their expectations . I likeThe Rings of PowerandHouse of the Dragon , so believe me when I say this is n’t to criticize those serial , but they ’re simply not on the storey ofGame of Thronesin quality or cultural presence . Every service insists that their shows are perform well with viewers , but I do n’t consider they ’re performing well enough to merit the budgets these studios dish up out originally in the tenner .
The next five books of The Stormlight Archive are die to be packed with moments I ’m delirious about , but there ’s one despiteful moment I ca n’t wait for .
Custom image by Ana Nieves and original cover art for The Way of Kings byMichael Whelan
As for the angle ofThe Stormlight Archive , this is how I ’ve been looking at it : Lord of the Rings , Harry Potter , andGame of Thronesare titles that have proven to be profitable success in visual metier . Because of that , they ’ll continue to get a few more chance to rekindle the fancy hype . The Stormlight Archiveis a pop book series , butit ’s nowhere near the level of those other titles in terms of general cultural knowingness . It wo n’t be make the same consideration and opportunities . I ’d say the series needs to wait for a better fantasy mass medium clime .
These Brandon Sanderson Books Need To Be Adapted Before The Stormlight Archive
Mistborn Has To Come First
Aside from reasons relating to the current picture show and video landscape , The Stormlight Archiveisn’t the opportune account to start Cosmere adaption with . Honestly , I would n’t want anything butMistbornto be the first series adapted if Sanderson ’s purpose is to create a divvy up universeacross film and television set akin to the MCU.Mistbornoffers the arrant balance between a story that ’s accessible enough to plunge direct into and bask while also having addicting complexity and set - up for more .
Introducing consultation to concept like the Shards and Investiture would be much easier to do inMistborn .
The Stormlight Archive novelsare some ofBrandon Sanderson ’s best book , but they ’re way more complicated and less approachable than his other titles . By following the path that I , and many others , have taken in starting his work withMistborn , the live - action Cosmere universe could pull viewer in with a more uncoiled - forward-moving natural process / heist fantasy fib rather than an epic ensemble labor that requires some investment to sympathise . Introducing audiences to concepts like the Shards and Investiture would be much easy to do inMistborn .
Custom image by Ana Nieves and original cover art for Wind and Truth byMichael Whelan
The Stormlight Archive Needs The Right Studio & Creators Behind It
Throwing Money At The Project Isn’t Enough
I ’m beaming Brandon Sanderson is being selective with his choices in term of whom to adjust his book of account with . There are studios out there with oodles of money to project at projects , but that does n’t intend it will get the respectfulness and drive it deservesto make an excellent tv set series . This is a complex level that needs to be handled with care , involving the best creatives available from top to bottom to write , direct , and create the domain of Roshar as authentically as potential .
The Stormlight Archive al-Qur’an 5 is filled with credit to other Cosmere novels , include one that readers are waiting on a continuation for .
The Rings of PowerandThe Wheel of Timehave huge budgets , but there have been so many factious topic , whether it pertains to wigging , set pattern , or CGI , that prevent those interpretations from being their several title ’s classic adaption . The Stormlight Archivedeserves a definitive adaptation like theHarry Potteror theLord of the Ringsmovies , creating a ocular rendering of Roshar that exist in the vernacular . This is the fan nucleotide that help put together a criminal record - fail Kickstarter project , and that scale and dedication merit the utmost care .
Custom image by Ana Nieves and original cover art for Wind and Truth byMichael Whelan
Not Getting A Stormlight Archive Adaptation Is Preferable To Getting A Bad One
Stormlight Fans Deserve A Worthy Adaptation
Waiting around for the right opportunity to adaptThe Stormlight Archiveseems expert on newspaper , but there ’s an obvious counterargument to it , which is , “ Well , what if it ’s never the right time ? ” First , I ’d say that Hollywood style come and go in wave all the time . We ’ve seen two fantasy boom already in the 21st century , and there will doubtlessly be more , which is n’t even to say that the current one is finished ; it might not be . That being aver , I’d rather get noStormlight Archiveadaptation than get a bad onethat does n’t feel anything like the books .
I do n’t hate theWheel of Timeshow , but despite all that money , it just does n’t really feel like Robert Jordan ’s books . The Stormlight Archivewould require even more CG to hone , and I ’d rather waitress until a studio is willing to provide the budget and attention that would be postulate . WhenThe Stormlight Archiveis bring to life on screen , I desire it to palpate like the Roshar that I imagined when I openedThe Way of Kingsfor the first fourth dimension , grinning from ear to ear as Kaladin and Bridge Four start to unite , or as Shallan had her deterrent example under Jasnah . I ’m willing to expect for that .
Summary
The Stormlight Archive is an epic phantasy series by Brandon Sanderson , set on the violent storm - ravaged world of Roshar . The serial publication follows multiple lineament , each with their unparalleled storylines , as they sail political intrigue , ancient prognostication , and powerful illusion . fundamental to the tale are the Knights Radiant , fabled warriors with witching abilities who must return to save their domain from impending destruction . The series explores theme of honor , leaders , and the burden of power .
Art byEkaterina Burmak/Brotherwise Games and Dragonsteel Entertainment
SHALLANby Michael Whelan
