"What I Think Is Best": I Really Want A Stormlight Archive Adaptation, But Brandon Sanderson Is Right About The Timing
I can’t wait to see The Stormlight Archive in a live-action adaptation, but Brandon Sanderson is right that it’s better to wait for the best possible opportunity. Adaptations of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe have been a discussion topic among fantasy fans for years, especially after the boom that followed Game of Thrones. Despite Sanderson’s books being some of the most popular in contemporary fantasy, the Mistborn movie was announced as being scrapped, among other things the author spoke about in his annual State of Sanderson blog post.
The Stormlight Archive is by far my favorite series Brandon Sanderson has written, but like many others, I began my Cosmere journey with Mistborn, and I’m looking forward to seeing both in live action. In Sanderson’s blog post, he shared some thoughts on a Stormlight Archive prestige TV series, saying that he’s declined opportunities because he doesn’t “feel like it’s the right time for The Stormlight Archive.” This is saddening news, in a way, but I understand the thought process and think he’s absolutely right. Waiting for the opportune moment can unlock the full potential of a Stormlight adaptation.
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 see The Stormlight Archive on television just as much as anyone, but it’s not the right time. As someone who loves the Cosmere books but also closely follows the film industry’s trends, Sanderson is correct in saying 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 projects like The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time is no longer there. Streaming services are being far more cautious about the projects they’re willing to invest in.
After Game of Thrones, studios all hoped to emulate HBO’s success, but none of the subsequent fantasy series have come anywhere close to their expectations. I like The Rings of Power and House of the Dragon, so believe me when I say this isn’t to criticize those series, but they’re simply not on the level of Game of Thrones in quality or cultural presence. Every service insists that their shows are performing well with viewers, but I don’t believe they’re performing well enough to merit the budgets these studios dished out earlier in the decade.
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As for the angle of The Stormlight Archive, this is how I’ve been looking at it: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones are titles that have proven to be profitable successes in visual media. Because of that, they’ll continue to get a few more chances to rekindle the fantasy hype. The Stormlight Archive is a popular book series, but it’s nowhere near the level of those other titles in terms of general cultural awareness. It won’t be given the same consideration and opportunities. I’d say the series needs to wait for a better fantasy media climate.
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Mistborn Has To Come First
Aside from reasons relating to the current film and television landscape, The Stormlight Archive isn’t the opportune story to start Cosmere adaptations with. Honestly, I wouldn’t want anything but Mistborn to be the first series adapted if Sanderson’s intent is to create a shared universe across film and television akin to the MCU. Mistborn offers the perfect balance between a story that’s accessible enough to dive straight into and enjoy while also having addicting complexity and set-up for more.
Introducing audiences to concepts like the Shards and Investiture would be much easier to do in Mistborn.
The Stormlight Archive novels are some of Brandon Sanderson’s best books, 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 oeuvre with Mistborn, the live-action Cosmere universe could draw viewers in with a more straight-forward action/heist fantasy story rather than an epic ensemble project that requires some investment to understand. Introducing audiences to concepts like the Shards and Investiture would be much easier to do in Mistborn.
The Stormlight Archive Needs The Right Studio & Creators Behind It
Throwing Money At The Project Isn't Enough
I’m glad Brandon Sanderson is being selective with his choices in terms of whom to adapt his books with. There are studios out there with tons of money to throw at projects, but that doesn’t mean it will get the respect and effort it deserves to make an excellent television series. This is a complex story that needs to be handled with care, involving the best creatives available from top to bottom to write, direct, and create the world of Roshar as authentically as possible.
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The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time have huge budgets, but there have been so many divisive topics, whether it pertains to wigs, set design, or CGI, that prevent those interpretations from being their respective title’s definitive adaptation. The Stormlight Archive deserves a definitive adaptation like the Harry Potter or the Lord of the Rings movies, creating a visual interpretation of Roshar that exists in the vernacular. This is the fan base that helped put together a record-breaking Kickstarter project, and that scale and dedication deserve the utmost care.
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 adapt The Stormlight Archive seems good on paper, 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 trends come and go in waves all the time. We’ve seen two fantasy booms already in the 21st century, and there will undoubtedly be more, which isn’t even to say that the current one is finished; it might not be. That being said, I’d rather get no Stormlight Archive adaptation than get a bad one that doesn’t feel anything like the books.
I don’t hate the Wheel of Time show, but despite all that money, it just doesn’t really feel like Robert Jordan’s books. The Stormlight Archive would require even more CG to perfect, and I’d rather wait until a studio is willing to provide the budget and attention that would be needed. When The Stormlight Archive is brought to life on screen, I want it to feel like the Roshar that I imagined when I opened The Way of Kings for the first time, grinning from ear to ear as Kaladin and Bridge Four began to unite, or as Shallan had her lessons under Jasnah. I’m willing to wait for that.
The Stormlight Archive
- Created by
- Brandon Sanderson
- Character(s)
- Kaladin Stormblessed, Shallan Davar, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Jasnah Kholin, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Navani Kholin
