Cosmere picked up by Apple TV

[AdmundfortGeographer]

What may be Apple TV’s first fantasy adaptation rights (was See fantasy?), Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere was grabbed by Apple TV.

Reporting says Brandon has immense creative control.

Brandon Sanderson’s Literary Fantasy Universe ‘Cosmere’ Picked Up by Apple TV (Exclusive)

It's an unprecedented deal for the author, whose 'Mistborn' series and 'The Stormlight Archive' are being eyed for film and television adaptation, respectively.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Zaukrie]

That's a lot of control. When would he find time to do this, and write novels?

 

[Parmandur]

That's a lot of control. When would he find time to do this, and write novels?

He is very regimented in his work schedule. He was projecting that he would publish around six or seven Cosmere novels in the next five years, but now we may only get four based on his recent updates.

 

[TwoSix]

He is very regimented in his work schedule. He was projecting that he would publish around six or seven Cosmere novels in the next five years, but now we may only get four based on his recent updates.

Sanderson is pretty much the anti-Martin when it comes to deadlines. Dude's a machine.

My only actual concern for the Cosmere is if he'll be able to keep up the pace into his 50s and 60s, especially since Stormlight probably won't end until about 2040.

 

[Parmandur]

Sanderson is pretty much the anti-Martin when it comes to deadlines. Dude's a machine.

My only actual concern for the Cosmere is if he'll be able to keep up the pace into his 50s and 60s, especially since Stormlight probably won't end until about 2040.

By Sanderson's own estimation, the slowdown for authors is by about 70, but I think he will keep going a bit longer than some because he has built a very robust system of writing habits. About 2040 is probably right for Stormlight, this is the schedule he projected a few weeks ago for the rest of this decade, White Sand and two Elantris sequels are what he has put off for Hollywood busoness:

"Okay, this is the place where I update the schedule. These are never very set in stone, as things bounce around a lot in publishing. However, I’ll try to indicate which are more firm and which are not."

• March 2026: Hoid's Storybook Collection/The Fires of December crowdfund. (Fulfillment expected end of 2026.)
• Summer 2026: Songs of the Dead (not a Dragonsteel book, but still worth your time).
• Early Fall 2026: Brotherwise Stormlight Board Game crowdfund.
• Fall 2026: Blightfall, Book One of Riftwake. (New Cytoverse series.)
• Winter/Nexus 2026: The Fires of December commercial edition.
• Summer 2027: Book Two of Riftwake.
• December 2028: Ghostbloods 1
• December 2029: Ghostbloods 2
• December 2030: Ghostbloods 3

*Biggest changes from last year are pushing the new Cytoverse novels to start in 2026 instead of 2025, and me being uncertain where Elantris fits right now. I’d love to do the books in between Ghostbloods novels, but with so much Hollywood work this year (and coming up next year) I’m hesitant about committing to getting those ready at the speed I thought likely last year. We’ll see. I also am already starting to feel the call to return to Stormlight, so Horneater (and maybe early work on Book Six) are likely in the next few years."

 

[Parmandur]

Sanderson posted the following on Reddit:

"Hey, all! News has broken. Rather than post on all the threads, I figured I would do a new post here with some info and thoughts."

"In May I flew to Hollywood to start looking for a new partner on the Cosmere. This is something I've done before, but this time it was different. I'd been off the market for many years, working with Epic and my friends there."

"That means this was my first time being in Hollywood with my Cosmere rights since...oh, 2016?"

"This time, I got to meet the real decision makers. Not just producers or low level executives. And this led to some really tough choices. I got the red carpet treatment, and liked everyone I met."

"The decision to pick Apple was due to two factors. First, the level of approvals and control. Apple wants to be a true partner with me, and they feel like they really get what I want to do. Second, their track record. Apple does fewer things, but with higher quality, than some other studios. I find virtually every thing of theirs I watch is excellent and creator driven."

"Join me for a livestream on Friday, probably 6pm mountain. I'll talk more then. But I will be writing the Mistborn screenplay myself over the next 5 months, as my full time work. Goal is for a theatrical Mistborn, then Stormlight show after. Focus on doing it carefully and right."

"I promise not to get too distracted to do books. However, if I want this done right, I need to give some real attention and heart to it now."

"Brandon"

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Well, this is excellent news. Apple has actually been cutting back on greenlighting new shows, so they must have really liked this pitch. And given that their existing shows range from "pretty good" to "omg, this was amazing," there's a very good chance that this will be a really satisfying show.

 

[sevenbastard]

I feel overwhelmed thinking about a series of books that wont be completed until after 2040.

Also realizing 2040 is closer than 2010 makes me feel ancient.

 

[Parmandur]

I feel overwhelmed thinking about a series of books that wont be completed until after 2040.

Also realizing 2040 is closer than 2010 makes me feel ancient.

Journey before destination, as they say.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

That seems ... ambitious.