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.
- 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*.
