Apple Adapts Brandon Sanderson’s Epic Fantasy: Mistborn & Stormlight Archive Series

In late January, Apple officially acquired the rights to create movies and TV shows based on the works of author Brandon Sanderson, a hugely successful fantasy writer whose books have been ripe for adaptation for years. Sanderson himself explained that he’d had previous discussions with Hollywood studios about bringing his novels to the screen, but those efforts never materialized. “This feels really different this time. I think this one is really going to happen,” he said.

What Exactly Is Apple Adapting?

They’re Starting With Brandon Sanderson’s Two Best-Known Series

Sanderson is an exceptionally prolific author, consistently publishing numerous books and short stories. This contrasts sharply with authors like George R.R. Martin, who has spent 15 years working on his next novel, The Winds of Winter. While the full extent of Apple’s adaptation plans remains unknown, they are initially focusing on two of Sanderson’s most prominent series: Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive.

Mistborn is set in a world dominated by the seemingly immortal Lord Ruler. The story follows a group of heroes who vow to overthrow him. Sanderson has written multiple Mistborn series, each taking place in a different era of the world, but Apple is likely to begin with an adaptation of the original trilogy. Meanwhile, The Stormlight Archive is a sprawling epic set on a world ravaged by powerful storms. The fifth book in the series, Wind and Truth, was released in 2024, with Sanderson planning further installments.

Apple’s decision to adapt Mistborn as a series of films and The Stormlight Archive as a TV show appears strategic. Mistborn’s relatively contained narrative lends itself well to a traditional movie trilogy format, while the expansive scope of The Stormlight Archive demands the extended storytelling capacity of television.

Apple Has Become a Genre Powerhouse

Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive Will Fit Right In

Since entering the original content market in 2019, Apple has demonstrated a strong affinity for science fiction and fantasy. Apple TV+ boasts a growing library of compelling sci-fi series, including For All Mankind, Severance, Pluibus, Silo, Dark Matter, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Invasion, See, and Murderbot. While other studios may have a longer history of producing sci-fi/fantasy content, Apple Studios has rapidly established itself as a significant player in the genre within just a few years.

Beyond simply producing these shows, Apple has shown a willingness to continue investing in them even if they don’t become massive ratings hits. For All Mankind, an alternate history series about the space race, hasn’t achieved the widespread popularity of Severance or Pluribus, but it remains one of the best sci-fi shows on television and is set to air its fifth season. Similarly, Foundation, Apple’s adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s classic sci-fi series, hasn’t been a ratings blockbuster, but Apple is currently developing a fourth season.

Sanderson noted that his recent meetings with several studios felt different with Apple, describing them as a “partner” he could trust. Their commitment to long-term genre series likely played a role in this assessment. Netflix has a reputation for canceling shows after a few seasons if they don’t achieve significant viewership, as seen with series like The OA, 1899, and Warrior Nun. HBO, meanwhile, is shifting its strategy towards smaller-scale productions, such as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and The Pitt.

However, a Stormlight Archive adaptation cannot be small in scale. it requires a substantial commitment. Apple has demonstrated a willingness to make that commitment, recognizing that a show based on The Stormlight Archive will be a multi-year undertaking.

Apple Will Respect Brandon Sanderson’s Input

The Author Will Maintain Control Over the Story

Sanderson also highlighted Apple’s careful approach to content rollout and their diverse film portfolio, ranging from mainstream successes like F1 to critically acclaimed films like Killers of the Flower Moon and the Oscar-winning CODA. This suggests Apple is well-suited to handle the Mistborn film adaptations.

Crucially, Sanderson will have significant creative control over the adaptations. He is currently writing the Mistborn screenplay and will serve as a co-showrunner on The Stormlight Archive series. This level of authorial involvement contrasts with the experiences surrounding HBO’s adaptations of George R.R. Martin’s works. The second season of House of the Dragon deviated significantly from Martin’s source material, leading to public criticism from the author, who described his relationship with showrunner Ryan Condal as “abysmal.”

This public dispute could have been avoided had HBO prioritized a faithful adaptation of Martin’s work. Apple appears determined to avoid a similar outcome.

The Waiting Begins

Sanderson acknowledges that the adaptations are still in the early stages: “We still aren’t very far along. These aren’t coming out next year.” However, he emphasizes the importance of finding the right partner, even if it means a longer wait. A high-quality adaptation of Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive is worth the time, and Apple appears to be that partner.