Studios Seek Next 'Game of Thrones' Franchise
What happened
Following the success of recent fantasy adaptations, studios are intensifying their search for the next major book-to-screen franchise. Brandon Sanderson’s *Mistborn* series is frequently cited as a leading contender due to its intricate magic system and interconnected universe. The trend is bolstered by the critical success of HBO's new six-part fantasy series, which is being hailed as a model for high-quality, concise fantasy storytelling.
Why it matters
- The new HBO series is *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, a prequel to *Game of Thrones* based on George R.R. Martin's "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novellas. The show, which stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, has been a critical success, with its fourth episode earning a 9.7 IMDb user rating, placing it in the top 10 of all episodes in the *Game of Thrones* franchise. - In January 2026, Apple TV acquired the screen rights to Brandon Sanderson's entire "Cosmere" fictional universe. The deal plans for the *Mistborn* series to be adapted into feature films, while *The Stormlight Archive* is slated to become a television series. - As part of the agreement, Sanderson will have an unusually high level of creative control, serving as a writer and producer with consulting and approval powers rarely granted to authors of major adapted properties. - Studios see a built-in audience with Sanderson's work; he has sold over 50 million books worldwide and holds the record for the most successful publishing Kickstarter, which raised nearly $100 million. - The trend of adapting popular intellectual property is not limited to books. HBO is also developing a series based on the video game *Baldur's Gate 3*, which was named Game of the Year at the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards. - Other major fantasy adaptations in the pipeline include Tomi Adeyemi's *Children of Blood and Bone*, starring Viola Davis and Idris Elba, and a series based on Stephen King's eight-book saga *The Dark Tower*, developed by Mike Flanagan for Prime Video. - The financial viability of the genre continues to be proven by recent successes, such as the live-action remake of *How to Train Your Dragon*, which earned $636.4 million at the worldwide box office. - Universal has also tapped screenwriters Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse to adapt Alexandra Bracken's *Lore*, a novel described as a mix between *Percy Jackson* and *The Hunger Games*.
Key numbers
- The show, which stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, has been a critical success, with its fourth episode earning a 9.7 IMDb user rating, placing it in the top 10 of all episodes in the *Game of Thrones* franchise.
- In January 2026, Apple TV acquired the screen rights to Brandon Sanderson's entire "Cosmere" fictional universe.
- Studios see a built-in audience with Sanderson's work; he has sold over 50 million books worldwide and holds the record for the most successful publishing Kickstarter, which raised nearly $100 million.
- HBO is also developing a series based on the video game *Baldur's Gate 3*, which was named Game of the Year at the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards.
What happens next
- The deal plans for the *Mistborn* series to be adapted into feature films, while *The Stormlight Archive* is slated to become a television series.
- As part of the agreement, Sanderson will have an unusually high level of creative control, serving as a writer and producer with consulting and approval powers rarely granted to authors of major adapted properties.
- Following the success of recent fantasy adaptations, studios are intensifying their search for the next major book-to-screen franchise.
Quick answers
What happened in Studios Seek Next 'Game of Thrones' Franchise?
Following the success of recent fantasy adaptations, studios are intensifying their search for the next major book-to-screen franchise. Brandon Sanderson’s *Mistborn* series is frequently cited as a leading contender due to its intricate magic system and interconnected universe. The trend is bolstered by the critical success of HBO's new six-part fantasy series, which is being hailed as a model for high-quality, concise fantasy storytelling.
Why does Studios Seek Next 'Game of Thrones' Franchise matter?
The new HBO series is *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, a prequel to *Game of Thrones* based on George R.R. Martin's "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novellas. The show, which stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, has been a critical success, with its fourth episode earning a 9.7 IMDb user rating, placing it in the top 10 of all episodes in the *Game of Thrones* franchise. In January 2026, Apple TV acquired the screen rights to Brandon Sanderson's entire "Cosmere" fictional universe. The deal plans for the *Mistborn* series to be adapted into feature films, while *The Stormlight Archive* is slated to become a television series. As part of the agreement, Sanderson will have an unusually high level of creative control, serving as a writer and producer with consulting and approval powers rarely granted to authors of major adapted properties. Studios see a built-in audience with Sanderson's work; he has sold over 50 million books worldwide and holds the record for the most successful publishing Kickstarter, which raised nearly $100 million. The trend of adapting popular intellectual property is not limited to books. HBO is also developing a series based on the video game *Baldur's Gate 3*, which was named Game of the Year at the 2024 BAFTA Game Awards. Other major fantasy adaptations in the pipeline include Tomi Adeyemi's *Children of Blood and Bone*, starring Viola Davis and Idris Elba, and a series based on Stephen King's eight-book saga *The Dark Tower*, developed by Mike Flanagan for Prime Video. The financial viability of the genre continues to be proven by recent successes, such as the live-action remake of *How to Train Your Dragon*, which earned $636.4 million at the worldwide box office. Universal has also tapped screenwriters Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse to adapt Alexandra Bracken's *Lore*, a novel described as a mix between *Percy Jackson* and *The Hunger Games*.
