Apple TV is all set to bring an acclaimed book franchise to the big and small screen, proving that it is finally leveling up its fantasy game.
When it comes to science fiction, Apple TV is already the top streaming service right now, not only because it delivers one epic sci-fi show after another, but avoids canceling most of its ambitious projects. Shows like Severance, Silo, Foundation, and Pluribus are expected to get even better as they progress, which could further cement Apple TV’s reputation as the best streaming service for sci-fi fans.
However, as Apple TV solidifies its sci-fi reign, it seems like it will also soon become a solid rival to other streaming services in the fantasy genre with its upcoming universe.
After Setting 2 Successful Shared Universes, Apple TV Is Bound To Get Its Third One Right
Apple TV has already set a solid foundation for two franchises by growing them into bigger universes. Both Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and For All Mankind have exciting spinoffs in the works, which grow their franchises in new, exciting directions. While Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is being followed up by a Cold War spy thriller, For All Mankind will extend its lore with a spin-off titled Star City.
As exciting as these growing sci-fi universes may seem, however, Apple TV’s upcoming take on Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere Universe deserves even more hype.
The streaming service has acquired rights to Brandon Sanderson’s high fantasy books and is all set to give them both big and small-screen treatments. As reports suggest, the Mistborn books will get movie adaptations while The Stormlight Archive will be turned into a TV show.
So far, Apple TV has primarily focused on expanding its sci-fi catalog with little emphasis on the fantasy genre. With the Cosmere Universes, Apple TV is not just dipping its feet into the genre but potentially becoming the definitive home for prestige fantasy. If it gets it right, it could potentially rival and even beat some of the greatest big and small-screen fantasy franchises, like Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings.
The streaming service’s success with setting up other fictional universes spells an optimistic future for the Cosmere Universe. However, what further increases the odds of its success is how Apple TV’s upcoming take is approaching the adaptations.
Apple TV’s Take On Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere Universe Has 1 Fantasy Advantage
Owing to their commercial and critical success, Brandon Sanderson’s literary works have been considered for TV and movie adaptations for a long time. However, the author has always been apprehensive about giving away rights to his books. Sanderson also previously expressed his dissatisfaction with how Wheel of Time’s creators largely ignored him during the show’s production despite having him as a consulting producer.
Apple TV, however, is changing the game by giving Sanderson unprecedented control over the upcoming take on his Cosmere Universe.
Sanderson is penning the script of the first Mistborn movie and will also serve as The Stormlight Archive show’s co-showrunner. By giving the original author so much control over his adaptations, Apple TV is doing something that has rarely been done before. Even fantasy authors like J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin did not have so much control over their respective franchises.
This move seems to give Apple TV a significant advantage over other fantasy franchises from rival streaming services and also guarantees the success of its take on Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere Universe.
