How the Ideal Replacement for the Mistborn Movie Might Pave the Way for a Stormlight Archive Adaptation

Note: This article includes minor SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive!

The anticipated Mistborn movie currently remains in limbo. However, an excellent alternative could materialize through The Stormlight Archive and the broader Cosmere universe being transitioned into live-action adaptations. Given the surge in Hollywood fantasy adaptations and interconnected storytelling, it is surprising that Brandon Sanderson’s rich Cosmere, known for its intricate narratives and expansive world-building, has not been transformed into a film or television series yet. While the Mistborn series is his most recognized work, recent efforts to adapt it have stalled.

In his annual State of Sanderson blog post, Sanderson disclosed that a Mistborn adaptation was on the verge of being realized but was hindered by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. With Mistborn currently shelved, this creates an exciting opportunity to explore other potential pathways for adaptation. Notably, The Stormlight Archive is widely considered Sanderson’s magnum opus, making it an ideal candidate for live-action representation. Nevertheless, this series presents a higher degree of complexity as a starting point for the Cosmere saga. In lieu of Mistborn, Sanderson’s inaugural novel, Elantris, might serve as a fruitful initiation.

Could An Elantris Adaptation Pave The Way For The Stormlight Archive?

Elantris: A Strategic Launchpad for the Cosmere

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson — Art by Alain Brion

Despite not being Sanderson’s most commercially successful book, Elantris holds significant potential for adaptation. As Sanderson’s debut novel, it has been critiqued for not showcasing his polished writing style. Nonetheless, the narrative’s world-building and imaginative ideas remain captivating, making it a viable backdrop for a cinematic venture.

Anticipation surrounding new Elantris books coinciding with a film or series launch could effectively usher in a new audience to the Cosmere. Sanderson has announced two sequels for this beloved story, slated for release in the later part of the 2020s. This timing could serve as a strategic marketing opportunity, harmonizing the promotion of fresh literary works with the buzz generated from a Hollywood adaptation.

Planned Elantris Books	Release Dates
Elantris 2	Summer 2029
Elantris 3	Summer 2030

Exploring Elantris’ Relations to The Stormlight Archive

Connections Between Elantris and The Stormlight Archive

Elantris Brandon Sanderson Cover Art showing characters looking up at a gray-green sky.

The links between Elantris and The Stormlight Archive are noteworthy, featuring character crossovers and references that could serve as vital plot points. For instance, a character from Elantris appears in the alternate realm of Shadesmar, while another character makes a tangible appearance on the planet Roshar. The Ghostbloods, a significant organization in the Cosmere, utilizes a seon—an ethereal, magical entity from Elantris—to facilitate communication across worlds. Although these connections are minimal, they possess the potential for meaningful implications in the broader narrative of the Cosmere, establishing a compelling foundation for a cinematic universe.

Furthermore, the concepts of Investiture and Shards introduced in Elantris are critical to Sanderson’s overarching storytelling. Similar to the use of Infinity Stones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these elements will help viewers recognize the interconnectedness within the Cosmere, adding depth to the viewing experience.

The Necessity of a Mistborn Adaptation Before The Stormlight Archive

Why Mistborn is Essential as a Precursor

Transitioning straight from an Elantris adaptation to The Stormlight Archive would feel abrupt.Mistborn, set earlier in the timeline, serves as a critical bridge for audiences prior to exploring Roshar, particularly as the narrative intricacies deepen in later Stormlight Archive volumes. This series has resonated with readers globally, striking a balance between the epic scope of The Stormlight Archive and the accessible storytelling found in standalone novels like Elantris.

Readers benefit from Sanderson’s approach to progressive storytelling, allowing them to engage with less complex narratives such as Elantris or Tress of the Emerald Sea before delving into the more demanding Mistborn trilogy and finally embracing the immense scope of The Stormlight Archive. Similarly, adaptations should follow this strategic escalation.

How Adapting Elantris First Could Enhance the Cosmere Cinematic Universe

A Less Daunting Commitment for Studios

By focusing on Elantris, studios could attract a broader audience without the overwhelming commitment that comes with adapting Mistborn. This strategy mirrors the gradual introduction of readers into Sanderson’s works, setting the stage for bigger projects down the line. The singular nature of Elantris simplifies production challenges for studios, whereas adapting Mistborn entails a multi-film commitment right from the outset.

This approach provides an opportunity to demonstrate the potential viability of Sanderson’s universe, making it more palatable for studios to fund further adaptations. A successful launch with Elantris could excite audiences and pave the way for more ambitious adaptations within the expansive Cosmere.

Source & Images