The Stormlight Archiveis a series I’m dying to see adapted onto screen, and there are a number of specific things I’d want in the TV series or film. Author Brandon Sanderson has long been discussing the prospect of having hisCosmere book universedeveloped into a live-action film/TV universe, and while none of his stories are currently being produced by Hollywood, it seems like it’s only a matter of time, given their ever-growing popularity. AMistbornmovie adaptationhas been discussed for quite some time, andThe Stormlight Archivewould likely be the next project to follow suit.
When adapting a series as massive and sprawling asThe Stormlight Archive, there are numerous factors at play. My ideas and wishlist items won’t just be the elements of my dream show; they’re a collection of thoughts based on previously developed fantasy movies and shows that I either like or don’t like.With the recent fantasy boom in Hollywood, there are a ton of lessons to learn from the ways epic fantasy stories have been adaptedand from how fans have reacted. AdaptingThe Stormlight Archivewouldn’t be easy, but it’s incredibly fun to brainstorm about.
8The Stormlight Archive Should Have 10-Episode Length TV Seasons
Movie Format Wouldn’t Work For The Stormlight Archive
For the purpose of acknowledging either option as an ultimate possibility, I’m going to keep talking about this adaptation as either a film or a TV series. However, I strongly believe thatThe Stormlight Archiveshould be a TV show. I know Brandon Sanderson wantsMistbornto be a movie adaptation, and while I think that should be a TV series as well, it’s certainly more of a possibility. There’s no clean wayThe Stormlight Archivecould work as a feature film.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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Rhythm of War
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Let’s break down some other books that have been adapted for comparison.The Fellowship of the Ringis less than half the length ofThe Way of Kingsand was adapted into a three-hour film.The Deathly HallowsandDunewere both split into two films.A Game of Thronesis 3/4ths of the length and was adapted nearly 1:1 as a ten-episode TV season.The only way to doThe Stormlight Archiveas a movie would be to make multiple films for each book(which would take decades) or reduce a significant portion of the story.
7The Stormlight Archive Can’t Leave Out Its Supporting Characters
Supporting Characters Are Essential The Stormlight Archive’s Narrative
The reason whyThe Stormlight Archivecan’t just leave out chunks of its story is because that would most likely mean supporting characters being dropped almost entirely. There are two major components to this:the story’s emotional core and the overarching events, both of which need the supporting cast to move forward. For example,The Way of Kingsneeds Bridge Four and the cast of Kaladin’s flashbacks in order to elevate him and make his story so emotionally compelling.
I’m Desperate For One Stormlight Archive Story That Probably Won’t Happen Until The 2030s (At Best)
I can’t wait for one particular Stormlight Archive arc, but according to Brandon Sanderson’s plans, it’s still potentially over a decade away.
As for overarching events, I’ve described certain figures inThe Stormlight Archiveas X-factor characters. These are guys like Elhokar, Amaram, and Moash. They’re below the main characters in their prominence in the series, and they’ll often disappear from the story for long stretches, only to arrive and unpredictably push events forward. They’re not as prominent as the leads, nor are they as vital as the main antagonists, but it’s equally important that they’re defined and impactful.
Brandon Sanderson’s Novel Structure Wouldn’t Work For Episodic Format
RHYTHM OF WARby Michael Whelan
A TV series' pacing might be thrown off by an episode that’s filled with a cascade of interludes, so finding a way to balance the flow of characters and interlude chapters is crucial.
Brandon Sanderson utilizes an interesting formatting system, witheach book being broken into separate parts with interludes. That sometimes means the audience will go a few hundred pages without seeing their favorite character if they haven’t been included in that part. A TV series could pass for leaving Adolin out of an episode now and then, but there’s less freedom to have him disappear for a stretch of two or three episodes at a time.
Not to mention, a TV series' pacing might be thrown off by an episode that’s filled with a cascade of interludes, so finding a way to balance the flow of characters and interlude chapters is crucial.The Lord of the Ringsfilms would be an interesting model here, as the way events play out in the second and third movies is entirely different from the format of the books. Rather than breaking down the films into two parts like in Tolkien’s novels, the events are spliced together as they might have occurred in real time.
5Roshar Should Be A Vibrant World That Feels Like A Character Of Its Own
Roshar Needs To Be Constructed Thoughtfully As A Major Narrative Element
Bringing Roshar to life seems to be one of the most common concerns forThe Stormlight Archive’sadaptation, and I want to address the technical aspect of that. First, I’d like to talk about the importance of Roshar as a character in the narrative. Sanderson is known for his unique magic systems and world-building, with each system of the cosmere offering something uniquely compelling. Elements like thestorms, spren, flora, and landscape of the planet are all visual elements that must be addressed.
The Stormlight Archiveadaptation needs to be created not only with details in mind but also with an understanding of why every detail matters for the story.
More than most fantasy series, Brandon Sanderson’s books run on the engines of his worlds.Events of the series progress as characters begin to understand elements of his magic system or the ecosystem, and it’s paramount that no stone be unturned in enveloping the viewer in Roshar’s environment.The Stormlight Archiveadaptation needs to be created not only with details in mind but also with an understanding of why every detail matters for the story.
4Brandon Sanderson Should Co-Write The Script
The Author Needs To Be Involved In The Production
While it might seem obvious that Brandon Sanderson should be involved, I’d like to talk about what the nature of that involvement should look like. With shows likeThe Rings of PowerandThe Wheel of Time, the divisiveness about the shows being faithful to the source material is hard to avoid, given that the authors have passed away. InHouse of the DragonandThe Witcher, fans have speculated about the original authors being ostracized from the production.
To avoid those issues, Brandon Sanderson needs to have a substantial role, which seems like something he’d be inclined to do. Having him as a co-executive producer, directly involved in writing the scripts, casting, and developing the series, is ideal, but he’d need to be balanced with industry professionals who can understand the logistics of how decisions might translate to screen. He needs to have power, but there alsoneed to be checks and balances to blend authenticity to the books with Hollywood practicality.
3The Stormlight Archive Should Use The Mandalorian’s StageCraft Technology
The Mandalorian Shows How Roshar Can Be Brought To Life
Now for the technical aspect. Bringing Roshar to life seems like an immense obstacle for a TV series.Game of Thronesreceived an enormous CGI budget to perfect the look of things like dragons, but that’s partially because most of its world could be filmed outside in Belfast.To perfect an alien planet like Roshar, a sci-fi show likeThe Mandalorianis the better model, and their advanced StageCraft Technology is fascinating to read about.
Essentially,StageCraft is a replacement for a typical green screen that utilizes a curved LED screen that plays computer-generated visuals. Rather than those visuals being edited in after the fact, they’re present on set, allowing actors, cinematographers, and everyone else on set to immerse themselves in the world. Brandon Sanderson has mentioned regions of Utah that would be great for filmingThe Stormlight Archiveoutside, but this would be an exciting embellishment to bring Roshar to life as it exists in the books.
2Shardbearers & Parshendi Should Be Handled With Practical Effects
CGI For Character Designs Should Be Used Sparingly
Shardbearers and Parshendi are just two examples of things inThe Stormlight Archivethat one might not think would translate well to screen. I mean, knights with vibrant blue armor and giant swords are highly fantastical, but I was admiring some of the art from the new Cosmere RPG, and it doesn’t seem like much of a stretch that a suit of armor like that could be made to look realistic. As for the Parshendi, it might take more time, buthaving the effects done with make-up and prosthetics seems like it would be far more visually pleasing.
Every Radiant Order In The Stormlight Archive & What They Do, Explained
Brandon Sanderson has developed a complex magic system in The Stormlight Archive. Here’s our breakdown of the Knights Radiant orders and their powers.
What I’m mostly worried about is the overuse of CGI and ending up with something that looks like 2016’sWarcraftmovie. Computer effects have come a long way since then, but everything about the film looked cartoon-like and off-putting in a bizarre way. Prosthetics on alien or fantasy creatures have almost always worked out better than CG character designs in franchises likeStar WarsorThe Lord of the Rings.
1The Stormlight Archive’s Script Needs To Be Faithful To Its Core Character Arcs
Nailing The Characters Is The Key To The Stormlight Archive
I’ve spent a significant amount of time specifically thinking aboutThe Way of Kingsand how it would translate to a TV season. When considering an adaptation, especially with a television budget, it seems fair to say that the amount of action and battle sequences would be toned down. It’s likely impossible to get a 1:1 adaptation with the sheer amount of war happening in that first book, and that’s just one example of the changes that would be made to fit a new medium. However,what needs to remain are the character arcs of Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, and Adolin.
The most important thing to me in an adaptation is that the characters I’m watching on screen feel representative of the words on the pages.
At its core,The Stormlight Archiveis a character-driven series. I’m fascinated by the series' lore and world-building, but I’m in love with the series for its characters. The most important thing to me in an adaptation is that the characters I’m watching on screen feel representative of the words on the pages. The show can make changes to the formatting, pacing, action sequences, and even alter the timeline of events to have a more succinct television narrative, but the characters need to feel like they belong inThe Stormlight Archive.
The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.
