Described as “unprecedented,” the deal spans film and series adaptations and could mark Apple’s first true fantasy franchise. Here are the details.

Per , Apple has secured the rights to Sanderson’s “Cosmere” books in what it described as “a competitive situation which saw Sanderson meet with most of the studio heads in town”.

From the :

“[The deal] gives the author rarefied control over the screen translations, according to sources. Sanderson will be the architect of the universe; will write, produce and consult; and will have approvals. That’s a level of involvement that not even J.K. Rowling or George R.R. Martin enjoys.”

Sanderson’s work spans multiple series set across different worlds and eras within the Cosmere, which he as “the fictional universe [he] created for many of [his] fantasy novels to take place within”

that “the first titles being eyed for adaptation are the series, for features, and series, for television,” with the latter already having producers attached.

The speculation that this could be Apple’s first major fantasy franchise is justified. Sanderson has an engaged fanbase that has bought more than 50 million copies of his books, raised more than $140 million for crowdfunded publishing projects, and sells out his own yearly fantasy convention, Dragonsteel Nexus, which Sanderson also headlines.

So far, there’s no release timeline for the projects announced as part of the deal. But with the next Dragonsteel Nexus scheduled for December 3 through December 5, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple and Sanderson use the event to share updates and start building hype.

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