Update, 6/19/2019 – After a long stretch of no-news about Amazon’s developing Wheel of Time series adaptation, we have word on a principal bit of casting for the project. Rosamund Pike—whom readers may know best for her starring role in Gone Girl, but whose résumé also includes memorable entries like the Bond film Die Another Day, Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice, and Edgar Wright’s (no relation) The World’s End—will be adopting the series’ headlining role, per Variety.
Pike will reportedly play Moiraine, an Aes Sedai of the the Blue Ajah, who serves as a lead character in the first novel and a guide for three young adventurers on a journey to evade the grip of the Dark Ones. No word yet on who’ll be joining Pike on the show.
10/2/2018 – Despite reportedly throwing down millions of dollars for the Lord of the Rings TV series, Amazon is bringing another high fantasy aboard. Deadline reports they’ve ordered an adaptation of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time to series for Amazon Prime Video. The first book, The Eye of the World, was published in 1990, and the sprawling series extends over 14 books released over a span of 22 years. Yep. No word on whether the series will tackle the first season and introduce the epic to come, or whether it will try to tell a complete tale of the story about the Aes Sedai Moiraine and the Dragon Reborn Rand al’Thor.[/nerdist_section]
4/28/2018 – Thirty-six years after the first book in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time high fantasy series was published, a real television adaptation may finally be on the horizon.
io9 reports that Jordan’s widow and editor, Harriet McDougal, had some very encouraging news regarding the long rumored Wheel of Time TV series on Google+: “Wanted to share with you exciting news about The Wheel of Time. Legal issues have been resolved. The Wheel of Time will become a cutting edge TV series! I couldn’t be more pleased. Look for the official announcement coming soon from a major studio.”
Of course, one important question concerns which network will land The Wheel of Time. We can probably safely rule out HBO because the network is still producing Game of Thrones, but there are plenty of other networks that would probably be interested in having a fantasy series with a dedicated following like The Wheel of Time. Don’t be too shocked if Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix also emerge as potential homes for the series.
You may recall that Red Eagle Entertainment had a Wheel of Time TV pilot air in the late hours on FXX last year, just as the rights to the property were about to revert to the Bandersnatch Group. That triggered a legal fight between the two sides, which has apparently now been resolved.
Another question that needs to be addressed is how to adapt the story for television. Jordan wrote 11 books in the series and a prequel, with the final three novels completed from his notes by author Brandon Sanderson. The TV adaptation is likely to condense the story, but which points should earn the focus?
Where do you think The Wheel of Time TV series should begin? And which network or streaming service would give it the best home? Let us know in the comment section below!
Images: Tor Books[/nerdist_section]
