The Next Wave of Fantasy TV: Why Authors Are Speaking Out Against Adaptation Changes

Fantasy authors are increasingly speaking out against television adaptations that deviate from their source material, creating a growing tension between creators and studios as expensive new fantasy series prepare for release.

According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and other verified sources, fantasy authors including Brandon Sanderson and David Jaffe have publicly criticized adaptations for failing to remain faithful to the original works. Sanderson specifically cited concerns about Amazon’s The Wheel of Time and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, stating that despite significant financial investment, these shows have not met expectations for quality or audience reach.

Sanderson expressed skepticism about the current state of streaming fantasy adaptations, noting that he has not seen truly great epic fantasy television since the early to mid-seasons of Game of Thrones. He argued that high budgets alone have not solved the problem, saying, “Fifty million dollars per episode has not done it, so it’s not a matter of the money they’re throwing at it.”

The criticism extends beyond television to video game adaptations, with David Jaffe, creator of the God of War franchise, denouncing early promotional images from Prime Video’s upcoming adaptation. Jaffe described the first-look photos as “so bad in so many ways,” questioning whether the characters appeared interesting or appealing and suggesting the adaptation resembled a “God of War: Dumb and Dumber edition.”

Despite his critiques, Jaffe acknowledged his trust in producer Ronald D. Moore to deliver a quality final product, indicating that while early material may disappoint, there remains hope for improvement during development.

This growing authorial pushback comes at a time when multiple high-profile fantasy adaptations are nearing release, including A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a Disney+ series based on Eragon, and a Prime Video adaptation of Fourth Wing. As these projects prepare to debut, studios face increasing scrutiny from the original creators whose works form the foundation of these productions.

Sanderson also revealed that his own efforts to adapt his Mistborn series for television have encountered setbacks, with a long-simmering adaptation falling through and leaving him “back to square one” in bringing his Cosmere universe to screen. He cited a lack of confidence in the current streaming market’s ability to handle epic fantasy effectively as a reason for his hesitation to entrust his work to adaptations.