Apple TV is releasing a new fantasy series that many are already comparing to Game of Thrones. However, those involved believe it will actually be even more expansive. For years, studios have been searching for another hit like Game of Thrones, hoping to recreate its success. So far, though, no fantasy show from the past few years has quite measured up.
While several fantasy projects are on the horizon, Apple’s newest purchase stands out as the most promising. It’s planned to be even more expansive than HBO’s Game of Thrones, and if executed well, could become the largest fantasy world ever seen on screen. Surprisingly, the source material is just as popular as George R.R. Martin’s books, giving these new films and series a unique advantage that Game of Thrones lacked.
Apple TV’s Cosmere Adaptation Could Be Bigger Than HBO’s Game of Thrones Franchise
Apple TV has made a groundbreaking deal to adapt the vast Cosmere universe created by author Brandon Sanderson. While they’re starting with a film series based on Mistborn and a TV show based on The Stormlight Archive, almost any of Sanderson’s Cosmere books could be made into a film or series. This is a huge project with the potential to become a franchise as large and interconnected as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Cosmere consists of over 20 books, each with its own story, but featuring shared characters and themes. Because these stories all take place within the same universe, spanning multiple worlds, Apple has more creative freedom than they did with Game of Thrones and Westeros.
The Cosmere universe is already larger in scale than Game of Thrones. Even if all the planned Game of Thrones spinoffs are made, they’ll still only cover one continent, unlike the Cosmere’s many worlds, intricate politics, and diverse magic systems. Plus, the upcoming Cosmere adaptation on Apple TV will include both movies and TV series, offering even more possibilities and potentially exceeding Game of Thrones in terms of variety and scope.
Brandon Sanderson’s Books Give the Cosmere 1 Advantage Game of Thrones Didn’t Have
Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy series are more expansive than Game of Thrones, giving his upcoming Cosmere franchise a key advantage. Game of Thrones struggled when the TV show moved beyond the available books, which remain unfinished. While Sanderson’s Cosmere isn’t fully complete either, there’s significantly more finished material for Apple TV to adapt. Specifically, the first two Mistborn eras and the initial story arc of The Stormlight Archive are already finished, and Sanderson has several standalone novels that are perfect for adaptation. This means Apple TV won’t have to worry about running out of source material anytime soon.
As a long-time fan, I’ve come to trust Brandon Sanderson to consistently deliver new work, and he’s pretty upfront about potential roadblocks – like when adapting his books for TV might slow down his writing. But honestly, I’m not worried about him running out of source material anytime soon. He’s already got so much in the pipeline that even as Apple TV starts tackling Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, he’ll have plenty more to draw from. This is huge because it means the adaptations are less likely to outpace the books and potentially disappoint fans. In fact, I think these series have the potential to be even bigger and better received than Game of Thrones.
Apple TV’s Mistborn & Stormlight Archive Adaptations Can Still Learn From Game of Thrones
The upcoming Apple TV series based on Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe has the potential to be even bigger than Game of Thrones, but it would be wise to study what made the HBO series so successful. Game of Thrones attracted a broad audience, including many who hadn’t been drawn to other fantasy shows, because it was easy to follow and expertly developed its characters and political storylines. The big action scenes and plot twists felt earned because the show prioritized strong storytelling. While Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive are already known for their exciting moments, building a similar foundation of accessibility and character depth will be crucial if they want to compete with one of the greatest fantasy shows ever made.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Read More
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Stephen Colbert Jokes This Could Be Next Job After Late Show Canceled
- 7 Home Alone Moments That Still Make No Sense (And #2 Is a Plot Hole)
- DCU Nightwing Contender Addresses Casting Rumors & Reveals His Other Dream DC Role [Exclusive]
- 10 X-Men Batman Could Beat (Ranked By How Hard It’d Be)
- Is XRP ETF the New Stock Market Rockstar? Find Out Why Everyone’s Obsessed!
- ANIIMO Brings Adorable RPG Action to Xbox and PC As Second Beta Signups Go Live
- Star Trek 4’s Development Hell Just Got So Much Worse
- 10 Most Brutal Acts Of Revenge In Marvel Comics History
2026-02-01 01:11