Apple Lands Massive Adaptation of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere Fantasy Universe

The expansive Cosmere universe of books will be adapted into movies and TV shows for Apple TV+.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Brandon Sanderson's acclaimed fantasy Cosmere universe, which includes popular book series like Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, is being adapted for the screen in a landmark deal with Apple TV+. The tech giant has acquired the rights to Sanderson's interconnected worlds, with plans for multiple film and television projects. Sanderson will maintain an unprecedented level of creative control, serving as a writer, producer, and consultant on the adaptations while retaining final approval.

Why it matters

The Cosmere adaptations represent a major coup for Apple, which has been aggressively expanding its slate of high-profile science fiction and fantasy projects. Sanderson's works have a massive global fanbase and have not yet been adapted for film or television, making this a potentially lucrative opportunity. The author's level of creative oversight is also noteworthy, as even renowned fantasy writers like George R.R. Martin and J.K. Rowling have not enjoyed such control over screen adaptations of their work.

The details

Under the deal, Apple will develop feature films based on Sanderson's Mistborn series, which is set in a world covered in volcanic ash where a group of heroes battles a tyrannical empire. The streamer is also exploring a potential TV series adaptation of The Stormlight Archive, an epic fantasy saga about a world ravaged by magical storms. Both series take place within Sanderson's interconnected Cosmere universe, which features crossover characters and shared rules of magic across different planetary settings.

  • In 2026, Apple acquired the rights to adapt Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe.
  • The first Cosmere adaptations, including a Mistborn film and a potential Stormlight Archive TV series, are currently in development.

The players

Brandon Sanderson

A bestselling American fantasy author known for his Cosmere universe of interconnected book series, including Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive. Sanderson will maintain an unprecedented level of creative control over the screen adaptations of his works.

Apple TV+

The streaming service owned by tech giant Apple, which has acquired the rights to adapt Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe into multiple film and television projects.

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What’s next

Apple is currently in the early stages of developing the first Cosmere adaptations, with a Mistborn film and a potential Stormlight Archive TV series in the works. Fans will have to wait for further updates on casting, production timelines, and release dates for these highly anticipated projects.

The takeaway

The Cosmere adaptations represent a major milestone for Brandon Sanderson and his devoted fanbase, as well as a significant investment by Apple in the lucrative science fiction and fantasy genre. The author's unprecedented creative control over the screen versions of his works is a testament to his commercial clout and the perceived value of his interconnected fantasy worlds.