Apple TV Develops Fantasy Shared Universe
Apple TV is developing a new shared universe of interconnected fantasy series to compete with Amazon's *The Rings of Power* and HBO's *Game of Thrones* spinoffs. The move signals Apple's intent to create the kind of deep, immersive storytelling that has become the hallmark of modern fantasy adaptations. The specific franchises or titles involved have not been disclosed.
- The shared universe will be based on the "Cosmere" books by best-selling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, which encompasses more than 20 novels. - The initial adaptations will be a movie series based on the *Mistborn* saga and a television series based on *The Stormlight Archive*. - Author Brandon Sanderson will have an unprecedented level of creative control, serving as a writer, producer, and consultant with approval rights on the projects. He is slated to write the screenplay for the first *Mistborn* film himself. - This move positions Apple to compete with other major fantasy franchises, such as HBO's *House of the Dragon*, which had a budget of nearly $200 million for its first season, and Amazon's *The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power*, which cost approximately $465 million for its debut season. - Sanderson has sold over 50 million books worldwide, and a 2022 Kickstarter campaign for four new novels became the most successful in the platform's history, raising over $41 million, demonstrating the large, built-in audience for the "Cosmere" universe. - The deal is part of a larger trend of streaming services investing heavily in established fantasy intellectual property to attract and retain subscribers in a competitive market. - Apple TV has previously found success with high-concept science fiction series like *Severance* and *Foundation*, and this acquisition signals a major push into the epic fantasy genre. - The production company Blue Marble, which was behind the Apple TV+ series *Pachinko*, is attached to executive produce *The Stormlight Archive* television adaptation.
