TheMistbornmovie could have been one of the most exciting fantasy projects coming down the pike, butBrandon Sanderson’s disappointing updatehighlights a harsh reality about such adaptations. In hisState of the Sandersonblog post for 2024, the author confirmed that theMistbornmovie is back at “square one"again. According to Sanderson, there was a script and even talent attached. However, because “the studio didn’t want to do it the way the producers did,” the project failed to land a production deal and enter development.
Thishappening to theMistbornmovieis disheartening, especially more than a decade after news of an adaptation first surfaced. Of course,Mistbornisn’t the only fantasy project to see an unfortunate outcome after being stuck in development hell. Many movies and TV shows don’t even get a clarifying update after they’re left there, and Sanderson’sMistbornmovie news doesn’t inspire hope that this will change any time soon.
The Mistborn Movie’s Fate Highlights A Harsh Truth About Fantasy Adaptations
Projects In This Genre Are Some Of The Hardest To Bring To Life
TheMistbornmovie’s fate may not be surprising after years of waiting, but it does confirm a harsh reality about fantasy adaptations. Even afterGame of Thrones’massive success, studios seem skeptical about moving forward with such projects. If even a series as big and beloved asMistbornisn’t prioritized, it’s no wonder that so many other fantasy books don’t make it to the screen. Of course,these stories are often difficult to bring to life, requiring hefty budgets and effects. And as Sanderson’s update suggests, there isn’t always agreement on the creative side.
There’s a reason so many fantasy shows are canceled after one or two seasons, even when theydomake it through development and production.
The latter is true of all adaptations, but fantasy ones, in particular, require studios and writers to make hard choices about the source material. Their stories are often too vast and complex to squeeze into a movie’s runtime — and sometimes even that of a TV show — necessitating changes. Making changes is risky, even without the larger budgets required for fantasy projects. This raises questions about whether it will pay off. There’s a reason so many fantasy shows are canceled after one or two seasons, even when theydomake it through development and production.
The Mistborn Movie’s Most Obvious Replacement Is A Better Starting Point For A Cosmere Adaptation
The Mistborn movie is scrapped for now, providing Brandon Sanderson the opportunity to begin the Cosmere universe with a different story.
Of course, the number ofongoing fantasy TV showsstill offers reason for hope. There have been many more additions to the genre sinceGame of Thronesended,so the fantasy landscape isn’t that bleak. ButMistborn’s disappointing update highlights how difficult getting adaptations off the ground can be, shedding light on why so many of them never happen, even when they’re officially announced.
Mistborn Isn’t The Only Fantasy Project Struggling To Be Adapted
Projects Like ACOTAR, Eragon, & The Poppy War Are Other Examples
The struggles of seeing fantasy adaptations all the way through are evident in the number ofmovies and TV shows currently in development hell. Some of them, likeA Court of Thorns and Roses,are based on books that are just as popular asMistborn.That’s why these stories are chosen for adaptations in the first place, but a shocking number of them never actually happen.Hulu’sACOTARshow has faced hurdles, and its status remains unclear. And Sarah J. Maas' other fantasy series,Throne of Glass,was also supposed tobecome a TV show, but it never did.
Mistborn Movie’s Disappointing Update Is A Chance To Fix The Biggest Flaw In Its Original Adaptation Plan
The Mistborn movie is back to square one, according to Brandon Sanderson. It’s disappointing, but it could be a blessing in disguise in the long-term.
AnEragonseries was also announced for Disney+ back in 2022, but there has been little news about the project since. A similar silence has surrounded thePoppy WarTV show announced back in 2020 (viaDeadline) andtheEarthseaseries announcedin 2019. It’s possible some of these fantasy projects are facing similar hurdles to theMistbornmovie — though hopefully, they’ll see better outcomes.
Source:State of the Sanderson,Deadline
Mistborn
TheMistbornseries, created by Brandon Sanderson, is a high-fantasy saga set in the world of Scadrial, where magic is powered by metals through a system called Allomancy. The series focuses on political intrigue, heists, and the battle between good and evil. The first trilogy,Mistborn: The Final Empire, follows the struggle to overthrow a tyrannical ruler, the Lord Ruler. Later books in the series, includingEra 2, take place hundreds of years after the events of the original trilogy, expanding the story into new settings with new characters, all while maintaining connections to the original storyline.Books:Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (2007)Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (2008)Mistborn: The Alloy of Law (2011)Mistborn: Shadows of Self (2015)Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning (2016)Mistborn: The Lost Metal (2022)
