Sanderson's 'Cosmere' Universe Expands to Screen
Author Brandon Sanderson confirmed that 10% of the screenplay for the *Mistborn* film adaptation is complete, signaling progress on the long-awaited project. Separately, Apple TV is reportedly developing a shared universe based on Sanderson's broader 'Cosmere' novels, mirroring the strategy of interconnected storytelling used by Marvel.
- The "Cosmere" is a shared fictional universe for many of Sanderson's fantasy novels, with the first, *Elantris*, published in 2005. The universe to date includes 24 books. - The deal with Apple TV grants Brandon Sanderson an unprecedented level of creative control, a factor he has long insisted on after previous unsatisfactory experiences with Hollywood. He will write, produce, and have approval over the adaptations, a level of involvement that exceeds that of authors like J.K. Rowling or George R.R. Martin with their respective franchises. - The current plan is to adapt the *Mistborn* series as feature films, while *The Stormlight Archive*, another major series within the Cosmere, is slated to become a television show. The *Stormlight Archive* series already has the production company Blue Marble, run by producer Theresa Kang, attached. - Sanderson's insistence on creative control stems from a desire to ensure the adaptations remain faithful to the source material, a concern that has led him to turn down previous offers. He has stated he will be personally writing the screenplay for the first *Mistborn* film. - The author's significant leverage in negotiations was bolstered by his massive commercial success, including selling over 50 million books and holding the record for the most successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised over $41.7 million for four new novels in 2022. - The *Mistborn* series itself is comprised of two distinct eras so far, with a third and fourth planned. The first trilogy follows a group of thieves overthrowing a dark empire, while the second is set 300 years later in a more technologically advanced society. - Sanderson is a famously prolific writer, a trait that sets him apart from other fantasy authors like George R.R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss, who are known for long delays between books. He is also known for creating detailed and logical "hard magic" systems, which are a key feature of the Cosmere novels. - Before this deal, there were multiple unsuccessful attempts to adapt *Mistborn*. Sanderson has been working to get a film made for over a decade, with one previous iteration of the project being scrapped due to creative differences.
