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• Apple TV+ taps Brandon Sanderson to lead Mistborn and Cosmere movie and TV adaptations

Apple TV+ has found its own George R.R. Martin in the shape of acclaimed fantasy Brandon Sanderson. The tech company turned streamer has signed a significant and far-reaching deal with fantasy author Brandon Sanderson to adapt his Cosmere books. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the streamer is eying the Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive books for both feature and TV adaptations. 

Sure, Hollywood adaptations of big fantasy series aren't rare, but the deal that Sanderson struck with Apple TV+ is remarkable. The Hollywood Reporter notes, "The deal is rare one, coming after a competitive situation which saw Sanderson meet with most of the studio heads in town. It gives the author rarefied control over the screen translations, according to sources. Sanderson will be the architect of the universe; will write, produce and consult; and will have approvals. That’s a level of involvement that not even J.K. Rowling or George R.R. Martin enjoys." 

As things currently stand, THR reports, Apple is looking at developing the Mistborn series for movies, and The Stormlight Archives into episodic television. As things currently stand, Mistborn has seven books to its name, while The Stormlight Archive is five novels (and three novellas) through a projected 10-book series. 

In today's streaming landscape, the relationship that authors have with streamers, new fans, and their existing fanbase has been reformed. For instance, The Witcher surged in popularity after the first season of the TV adaptation dropped on Netflix, but its fandom has remained splintered between Netflix fans, book purists, video game fans, and toxic people. Hopefully, this won't be the case for Sanderson's Apple adaptations, especially with Sanderson himself at the center of any future adaptations as part of this deal. 

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