Mistborn Movie Update: An Opportunity to Address Major Flaws in Original Adaptation Plans

The recent news concerning the Mistborn movie adaptation, shared by author Brandon Sanderson, may initially seem discouraging. However, this situation may present an unexpected opportunity to reassess the project’s direction. Since discussions about bringing Mistborn to the big screen began more than ten years ago, particularly following the rise of fantasy series after HBO’s Game of Thrones, there has been a persistent interest in utilizing Sanderson’s expansive Cosmere universe. With a desire among streaming platforms to replicate the immense success of such series, adapting Mistborn appears to be a promising venture, yet tangible progress remains elusive.

Prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023, Sanderson had achieved significant momentum towards the Mistborn adaptation. In his annual State of Sanderson blog post for 2024, he described the project as nearing its launch with well-known actors attached to the lead roles, albeit without disclosing names. Regrettably, the project has since stalled, placing Cosmere adaptations back at square one. While this news is disheartening, it might serve as a hidden advantage.

A Chance to Rethink The Adaptation

The Argument for Mistborn as a Prestige TV Series

Brandon Sanderson maintains a reputation for transparency, regularly updating his followers about the progress of his literary works via his website, YouTube channel, and podcast. However, the world of Hollywood adaptations tends to introduce a veil of secrecy regarding what can and cannot be publicly discussed. Despite these challenges, Sanderson has been clear about his vision for adapting Mistborn. He has long favored the idea of a feature film, even amidst the prevailing trend of successful fantasy adaptations produced for television. In a 2020 livestream, he expressed:

I do have to warn you, there isn’t a lot of time in the screenplay for the crew. If I’m gonna do this as a film… Which it’s not set in stone; it’s possible that I’ll move to a show. But right now, what I’m planning is: film, television show for Well of Ascension, film… And I think that will work really well in television show format. And that’s where we can get into some of the things with OreSeur and TenSoon and character arcs for some of the crew members, really get to know Ham and Breeze and everybody.

This statement, though years old, illustrates Sanderson’s steadfast commitment to a film adaptation. Still, given the recent setbacks, one might speculate whether his perspective has evolved regarding a potential transition to a television format. Sanderson has previously remarked about his financial stability affording him greater creative freedom than many other writers, providing him the leverage to reject various Hollywood offers. It remains uncertain for how long he will persist in pursuing a film adaptation if challenges continue to arise.

An Opportunity for Television Adaptation Awaits

Reassessing Mistborn’s Potential in Visual Media

The U.K. covers of The Way of Kings and Mistborn: The Final Empire — Custom Image by Ana Nieves | Cover art for The Way of Kings and Mistborn: The Final Empire by Sam Green

With the Mistborn movie currently at “square one,”now is an ideal moment to explore the possibility of adapting the Cosmere into a television series. While Sanderson’s narratives lend themselves well to cinematic storytelling, recent trends show that television can deliver visual splendor and captivating storytelling with the right execution. The migration from feature films to television series has proven fruitful for franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, both of which already have a significant cultural presence.

Focusing on a televised format could enable a richer exploration of the complex narratives within Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, two cornerstones of the Cosmere universe. Adapting these works as a long-term television project, akin to the strategies employed by HBO with Game of Thrones and Netflix with The Witcher, could better align with Sanderson’s intricate storytelling style.

Why Mistborn Would Shine as a TV Series Over a Film

The Limitations of a Feature Film Adaptation

The covers of the original Mistborn trilogy — Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore

There are several reasons why a television series could be more suitable for adapting Mistborn. While word count may not be the sole criterion for adaptation, it provides a meaningful perspective. For instance, The Final Empire has a word count exceeding 200,000, which is longer than The Fellowship of the Ring, a three-hour film, and even Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which was split into two film adaptations. Comparatively, it is shorter than A Game of Thrones, which translated well into a ten-episode television season.

Fantasy Books	Word Count
The Final Empire	210,103
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows	198,227
The Fellowship of the Ring	177,227
A Game of Thrones	292,727

Given these figures, if Mistborn were to be adapted into a movie, it would likely require significant cuts or a runtime of over three hours—something that Hollywood may shy away from. Concentrating on key characters is sensible; however, adapting a beloved story like Mistborn demands a commitment to fidelity to the source material. Instead, an eight-episode TV series could provide an optimal narrative space.

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