Prime Video abruptly canceled The Wheel of Time just when it was starting to get good. While its return seems unlikely, Apple TV‘s upcoming fantasy franchise can perfectly fill the void it left behind.
Because of the strength of its source material, The Wheel of Time‘s Prime Video adaptation was expected to become the next “big thing” in fantasy TV. It even had the potential to rival Game of Thrones‘ legacy. Robert Jordan’s original The Wheel of Time book series also had enough content for the show to last for at least five seasons.
Unfortunately, despite having a lot going in its favor, The Wheel of Time initially stumbled before getting canceled after three seasons. While it is still hard not to wonder how incredible the show could have been, Apple TV’s new fantasy franchise can make up for its pitfalls.
Despite Having Immense Potential, Prime Video’s Wheel Of Time Failed To Live Up To Its Books
Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time book series unfolds a solid, slow-burning narrative that gradually subverts the “chosen one” trope and reveals a rigid gender-based magic system. The strength of the source material made it hard not to believe it would translate incredibly well to TV’s serialized format. However, Prime Video’s adaptation turned it into a quick-paced ensemble drama that often struggled to honor the original books.
The result, as The Wheel of Time‘s early audience reception suggests, was polarizing.
In more ways than one, Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time was marred by an identity crisis, where it struggled to strike the right balance between selling itself a loyal adaptation and a modern take on the books. Owing to this, in some of its best moments, it came off as an incredible translation of Robert Jordan’s words. However, in others, it seemed like a confused reinvention that drastically changed characters like Rand, Egwene, and Perrin.
It also gave too much screen-time to original show-only characters like Stepin when many beloved characters from the books were starved for development.
In season 3, though, The Wheel of Time suddenly showed significant improvements and finally moved one step closer to reaching its true potential. Unfortunately, Prime Video canceled it just when it was starting to get better.
Prime Video Canceled Wheel Of Time Too Soon, But Apple TV’s Brandon Sanderson Adaptations Can Fill Its Void
Apple TV has acquired the rights to Brandon Sanderson’s “Cosmere” universe. Sanderson had always been apprehensive about giving away rights for his books. Owing to this, the fact that he has finally agreed to partner with Apple TV signals an unusual level of trust and creative confidence. Reports confirm that Sanderson will get immense creative control over the franchise and has secured final approval power.
This kind of creative involvement from an original author is almost unheard of and even authors like George R.R. Martin and J.K. Rowling did not retain this level of authority over their respective adaptations.
Apple TV already has a solid reputation for delivering some of the most incredible sci-fi TV adaptations, like Silo and Foundation. By giving Sanderson so much creative control, the streaming service has almost ensured that its adaptations of his work will not disappoint his fans.
While more details about Apple TV’s plans for the “Cosmere” universe’s adaptations are yet to emerge, reports suggest The Stormlight Archive books will get a TV adaptation while the Mistborn series will be considered for the big screens.
Considering the scales of both book series, this approach seems ideal. A lot already seems to be in Apple TV‘s favor, suggesting that its foray into hard fantasy will not meet the same fate as Prime Video‘s The Wheel of Time.
