Brandon Sanderson’s New Apple Deal Includes Incredible Creative Control

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Popular fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson is partnering with Apple TV to bring his expansive Cosmere universe to the screen. This is huge news for fantasy lovers!

Brandon Sanderson Has Historic Creative Control of His New Cosmere Adaptations

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brandon Sanderson has made a deal with Apple TV to adapt his popular Cosmere book series, starting with Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive.

We’ve definitely seen huge deals for fantasy properties like Game of Thrones before, but this one feels different. What really makes this deal historic, as a fan, is the incredible amount of creative control Brandon Sanderson negotiated for himself. The Hollywood Reporter pointed this out, and it’s a massive win for him and for fans who want to see his vision fully realized.

Sources say this agreement gives the author an unusual amount of control over how their work is adapted for the screen. Brandon Sanderson will not only write and produce, but also serve as a consultant and have final approval on all translations. This is a higher level of creative control than even authors like J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin have over their own adaptations.

Authors often see having creative control over film and TV adaptations of their work as the ultimate goal. This is because it ensures their stories stay true to the original vision, preventing unwanted changes. Fans also usually appreciate this, as they want to be sure the adaptations will stay faithful to the books they enjoy.

Custom image by Yailin Chacon and original cover art for The Way of Kings Wind and Truth by Michael Whelan

J.K. Rowling is famous for closely guarding the creative direction of her Harry Potter series, so it’s remarkable that Brandon Sanderson has achieved even greater control over his work. This is especially noteworthy because Sanderson writes fantasy, a genre where productions often face budget constraints. Streaming services are usually eager to minimize costs, sometimes by altering stories and removing expensive features.

How Brandon Sanderson Struck Such a Powerful Deal with Apple

As a huge fantasy fan, it’s really exciting to see Brandon Sanderson in such a powerful position. He’s built this incredible career – over fifty million books sold, and a truly dedicated fanbase that’s broken crowdfunding records! It’s given him the leverage to make choices that benefit his work and his readers. In fact, he’s resisted selling his stories to streaming services for a while now, because he didn’t think they were ready to do justice to the scope and detail of epic fantasy – and I totally get that!

Apple TV+ is gaining popularity, but it doesn’t have as many subscribers as competitors like Netflix. It’s clearly hoping to create a hit show – something like Game of Thrones – that will both generate revenue and attract a large audience to the service.

Let me tell you, Brandon Sanderson isn’t just any author – he’s got a dedicated fanbase and a ton of books already out, so he’s in no rush to jump into a TV adaptation. But Apple TV? They could really benefit from Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. It’s not just about one hit show or movie; this could be a game-changer for them, establishing Apple as a serious player in the streaming world for years to come. It’s a smart move with potentially huge, long-term payoff.

Everything was in place for a fantastic agreement, and Sanderson probably picked the streaming service most willing to compromise on things besides just the financial aspects. Because of this, Apple TV will soon be announcing new projects based on Brandon Sanderson’s work, and Sanderson will have an unprecedented level of creative control – more than even major franchises like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter enjoyed.

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2026-02-02 15:28