Sony have been developing the project for over a year, but progress had slowed because Sony had failed to find a reliable network partner. Amazon were, according to rumour, close to signing a deal but backed off to pursue the Lord of the Rings TV prequel series instead. Other networks and streaming services have also been mopping up the rights to other fantasy series all over the shop, with Netflix developing The Witcher and Showtime nabbing the rights to a Name of the Wind prequel series, whilst Starz has Outlander and SyFy has The Magicians.
However, Apple TV are looking for a killer app, FX might be on the hunt for another prestige show and, most intriguingly, Disney have a new adult-oriented streaming service readying for launch in 2019 and money in the bank. There's also the possibility that Netflix or Amazon might decide to double-dip with a second fantasy show after all.
For themselves, Sony have also been bullish recently about developing a show by themselves for release on their PS Network or via Crackle. Radar's profile and financial firepower, which has been in the doldrums for years, have also been bolstered by the surprise success of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle at the box office (proving that once again in Hollywood, you're only as good or bad as your last release). Radar's boss, noted movie tycoon Ted Field, is apparently keen to move on with the Wheel of Time project and "big announcements" are on the way.
It'll be very interesting to see where Wheel of Time ends up, and how seriously the project is taken.
Thanks to Narg for the heads-up.
3 comments:
Your last sentence said it all: "It'll be very interesting to see....how seriously the project is taken". They can't cut any corners with this show. They have to be "all-in". If they try to do it on the cheap, or butcher the story in order to shorten the length (obviously there are some things that can be omitted), the show will flop regardless of who ends up creating it.
I think Amazon and Netflix is still in play. Netflix is trying to build their catalogue before studios like Disney start pulling all their shows for their own streaming services. I think WoT would be more successful than a LotR sequel series in my opinion especially if the script and budget is adequate.
Awesome news!
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