Robert Jordan’s high fantasy novels The Wheel Of Time have been crying out for screen adaptation for years – since 2000, in fact, when a first attempt first went into development. However, that and every attempt since then has run into problems, or just faded out completely.
But there’s finally some good news; a studio is finally attached to turn the saga into a TV series, with Sony producing alongside Red Eagle Entertainment and Radar Pictures.
Rafe Judkins, who has previously worked on hit genre shows like Agents Of SHIELD, Hemlock Grove and Chuck, is writing, as well as serving as a executive producer with Darren Lemke, Red Eagle’s Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon (good name), and Radar’s Ted Field and Mike Weber. Jordan’s widow Harriet McDougal is also involved with the series, stepping into the role of consulting producer.
This is the first update since April 2016, when McDougal posted the following on the series’ Google+ page:
“Update: Wanted to share with you exciting news about The Wheel of Time. Legal issues have been resolved. The Wheel of Time will become a cutting edge TV series! I couldn’t be more pleased. Look for the official announcement coming soon from a major studio — Harriet.”
Jordan started work on the first book in the Wheel Of Time series, The Eye Of The World, in 1984 and it was eventually published in 1990. He managed to write and release 11 books before he died in 2007.
Jordan had been working on the twelfth and final book at the time of his death. In order to complete the saga, fantasy author Brandon Sanderson used Jordan’s extensive notes to write the final story, which then ended up being split into three parts, The Gathering Storm, Towers Of Midnight and A Memory Of Light, due to how massive the book would have been if it had remained as one.
The Wheel Of Time doesn’t yet have an air date. You can buy the first book in The Wheel Of Time series, The Eye Of The World, for £6.99 from Amazon. Get all the latest fantasy news with every issue of SciFiNow.
