Summary
- Mistborn offers a fresh take on fantasy with a unique magic system and heist premise.
- The series has the potential for broad appeal as an action-packed adventure with relatable heroes.
- Brandon Sanderson’s involvement could ensure a faithful adaptation, supported by his massive fanbase.
Many fantasy adaptations are reportedly in development in Hollywood, but a film based on Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn is the most exciting. Mistborn is a beloved modern fantasy series, standing out as one of the centerpieces of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, a fictional universe connecting various series and standalone novels like The Stormlight Archive and Tress of the Emerald Sea. With seven books out already, Sanderson has two more trilogies planned in the Mistborn world, covering centuries of time and dozens of complex, well-developed characters.
A Mistborn movie adaptation has been in development for years, with the project apparently progressing further than it’s ever been in 2023. It’s since been delayed due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, but Sanderson seems hopeful that it’s only a matter of time before his books are adapted. Given current trends in the film industry, there are plenty of reasons why Mistborn would work excellently as a movie or TV series, but it’s better they tread carefully and approach the material with the respect it deserves.
10 Mistborn Offers A Unique Take On The Fantasy Genre
Mistborn Has A Magic System And Narrative Format Unlike Anything Else In Fantasy
Considering the best fantasy movies, like the Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings films, or TV series like Game of Thrones, one of the benefits of adapting Mistborn is that it offers something totally fresh. Brandon Sanderson weaves a unique story with a premise based on the narrative foundation of the Ocean’s movies, with the idea of a “fantasy heist” against an oppressive government. In that sense, Mistborn draws from dystopian film archetypes more than typical fantasy, which could create an exciting appeal for filmgoers.
The magic system in Mistborn is also unlike anything else in the fantasy genre. In its aesthetic, it would appear in film more similarly to the action in wire-fu movies like The Matrix or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Again, this creates a fun juxtaposition for the average film viewer’s expectations of fantasy movies.
9 Mistborn Can Appeal To A Broad Audience
Mistborn Is An Action-Packed Adventure That Can Appeal To Non-Fantasy Fans
In film & television, the 21st century has seen fantasy projects become more mainstream, though they’re still few and far between compared to the vast amount of excellent fantasy literature available. Not to mention, many great fantasy books have been adapted and have struggled to find that broader attention. Mistborn has a unique advantage in that it can double as an action/heist movie set in a fantasy universe.
A Mistborn movie should focus primarily on the character-driven narrative that Sanderson sets up, but action sells, and the unique combat of allomancy could be appealing. In a similar sense, the A Court of Thorns and Roses books have such a broad market because they lean heavily into the romance genre. Meeting the audience halfway on something they already know they like is a great way to get viewers hooked, leading to brand new fantasy lovers.
8 Brandon Sanderson’s World Can Be Adapted Into A Cinematic Universe
The Cosmere Could Be As Massive And Epic As Any Fictional Universe In Movies
One of the most rewarding aspects of reading Brandon Sanderson’s various series is that his books are all part of a fictional universe. In movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has laid the blueprint for almost every modern franchise, and it must be appealing to studios that Sanderson’s stories naturally follow this format. While each of the author’s series and novels can be read individually, it’s undoubtedly beneficial to progress through them as a collective.
If Sanderson’s books are adapted faithfully, they could become a huge franchise.
There are seven Mistborn books, and though the original trilogy is relatively insular, further novels grow more connected with the grander story arc of the Cosmere universe. If a Mistborn movie becomes a hit, the studio behind it has access to a well of great fantasy books to adapt next, constructing a massive cinematic universe audiences can obsess over. If Sanderson’s books are adapted faithfully, they could become a huge franchise.
7 The Mistborn Books Are Already Cinematic
Mistborn’s Pacing And Action Make It Easy To Translate To Film
Adapting fantasy can be tricky, as not all stories translate well to screen. While there have been some great fantasy adaptations, other books haven’t worked as movies and shows or have required such significant changes that they lose their identity in the process. Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn could work excellently as a movie or series without having to change much from the source material.
The action is a primary component of Mistborn’s screen translation, but there are other elements that make it cinematic. While many fantasy novels have sprawling casts, Mistborn features an already movie-sized set of characters, with four main heroes (Vin, Kelsier, Elend, Sazed), a central antagonist, and varying supporting players who don’t require much examination. Not to mention, Vin and Elend’s romance creates a natural B plot for the film version.
6 Mistborn Has Relatable Heroes Audiences Can Connect With
Mistborn’s Heroes Have Complex, Relatable Struggles For Modern Audiences
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Brandon Sanderson’s novels is that his characters are expressly relatable to modern readers. With stories like The Lord of the Rings, there are ways in which audiences can attach themselves to certain characters, but generally speaking, the problems they face are of a physical nature. This is akin to many mythological tales. However, modern people’s conflicts are more mental than physical, and that’s reflected in Sanderson’s fantasy.
modern people’s conflicts are more mental than physical, and that’s reflected in Sanderson’s fantasy.
In Mistborn, the internal struggles of main characters like Vin and Elend are prevalent throughout the trilogy. Even Sazed, who’s depicted as one of the most composed characters in the Cosmere, is shown to experience mental health struggles in The Hero of Ages. Mistborn examines real emotional difficulties, allowing audiences to connect more with the characters despite the unrelatable obstacles they often face.
5 Mistborn Has Complex Villains Audiences Can Obsess Over
Movie Fans Love Complex Villains, And The Lord Ruler Is The Perfect Example In The Cosmere
A relatable hero is one thing, but modern film audiences love a complex, three-dimensional villain. Consider the popularity of characters like Kylo Ren, the Joker, or Feyd-Rautha in the new Dune movie. A compelling antagonist can stand out as the highlight of its respective film or franchise, as audiences often see them as being more nuanced than the heroes.
The Lord Ruler is the perfect example of a Cosmere villain, as he’s not only one of the most powerful Mistborn characters, but he’s also one of the most fascinating figures in Brandon Sanderson’s books. He’s just the tip of the iceberg, as characters like Straff Venture, Zane, and Ruin continue to provide exciting villains in the Mistborn trilogy. There are alsofantastic characters with shades of gray, like Marsh, or arguably Kelsier after his death in The Final Empire.
4 Brandon Sanderson Wants To Be Involved With Mistborn’s Adaptation
Brandon Sanderson’s Involvement Would Guarantee The Mistborn Movie Remains Faithful
One reason fantasy is so challenging to adapt is that the creators often attempt to change significant aspects of the source material. Changes are necessary for adaptation but shows like The Witcher, and Amazon Prime’s Rings of Power go overboard with changing the source material to the point where book lovers feel antagonized. In an interview with Cerealkillerz, The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski suggested that the TV showrunners never listened to him, confirming fan’s suspicions about the Netflix series.
Brandon Sanderson is interested in being involved in adaptations of his books, as he is a fan of movies and television himself. There’s no better way to guarantee a faithful adaptation than having the author co-write scripts and working as a producer every step of the way. Sanderson is one of the hardest-working authors, so it’s believable to think he’d take as active a role as possible in a Mistborn movie.
3 Mistborn Is A Complete Series (Sort Of)
Mistborn Is An Ongoing Series, But It Has Complete Arcs That Can Be Adapted
After the disappointment over the Game of Thrones ending, it seems important to specify that while there will be more Mistborn books, there are complete arcs. The Mistborn movies would have two entire book series to adapt from: the original trilogy and the four-book Wax & Wayne saga. The endings are already proven to be effective, with The Hero of Ages and The Lost Metal considered some of the best in the saga.
The endings are already proven to be effective
Brandon Sanderson is known for his extraordinarily quick writing speed, even surprising fans with four entire extra novels in 2023. The Mistborn movies would have seven books to catch up on already, and it seems likely that Sanderson will continue with the series in a timely manner. The next trilogy should be released over the span of a few years in the latter half of the 2020s.
2 Mistborn Has Well-Written Romance Subplots
Mistborn’s Romances Are Often Realistic Slowburns And Provide An Emotional Core
Just like action, romance is a reliable selling point for movies, and it’s a crucial part of Brandon Sanderson’s stories. Romance doesn’t have a central priority like it does in series like ACOTAR, but romances between characters like Vin and Elend and Wax and Steris become the emotional cores of their respective stories. While it’s not known as his forte, Sanderson is an excellent romance writer.
Like many of his stories, Brandon Sanderson constructs his romances as slow burns, often taking entire novels or more to develop. Vin and Elend fall for each other rather quickly, but their romance sometimes struggles while they grow as individual characters. On the other hand, Wax and Steris are married for political reasons, yet their romance progresses into love over the course of three books. These would be subplots in a film adaptation, and they’d be incredibly effective.
1 Brandon Sanderson Has A Massive, Loyal Fanbase
Brandon Sanderson’s Dedicated Fanbase Could Translate To Box Office Success
Brandon Sanderson is one of the most accomplished modern authors, partially due to his regard for his work but also largely due to his natural ability to connect with his readers. Sanderson engages with fans through in-person conventions, his podcast, his YouTube page, and his website. He’s highly transparent about his work, even keeping a progress bar on his website to keep readers informed about how long the wait will be for various books.
A dedicated online following doesn’t always translate to box office success, as attending a film in theaters is more of a commitment than playing a YouTube video. However, as proven by his record-breaking Kickstarter, which backed his self-published secret projects in 2023, there’s a significant, dedicated audience to his work. This could translate directly to a Mistborn movie’s success if it’s marketed well.
