Via the Hollywood Reporter, Robert Jordan’s classic novel series The Wheel of Time is headed for Amazon Studios. Rafe Judkins (Agents of shield) will serve as showrunner and executive producer. The Wheel of Time is the biggest selling fantasy series of all time selling more than 90 million copies internationally.
Here is a wiki synopsis:
“The series proper commences almost twenty years later in the Two Rivers, a near-forgotten district of the country of Andor. An Aes Sedai, Moiraine, and her Warder Lan, arrive in the village of Emond’s Field, secretly aware that servants of the Dark One are searching for a young man living in the area. Moiraine is unable to determine which of three youths (Rand al’Thor, Matrim Cauthon, or Perrin Aybara) is the Dragon Reborn, and leads all three of them from the Two Rivers, along with their friend Egwene al’Vere. Nynaeve al’Meara, the village wise-woman, later joins them. Gleeman Thom Merrilin also travels with the group. The first novel depicts their flight from various agents of the Shadow and their attempts to reach the Aes Sedai city of Tar Valon. Thereafter the protagonists are frequently split into different groups and pursue different missions toward the cause of the Dragon Reborn, sometimes thousands of miles apart. As they struggle to unite the various kingdoms against the Dark One’s forces, their task is complicated by rulers of the nations who refuse to lose their autonomy; by the zealots styling themselves ‘the Children of the Light’, who do not believe in the prophecies; and by the Seanchan, the descendants of a long-lost colony of Artur Hawkwing’s empire. The Aes Sedai also become divided on how to deal with the Dragon Reborn.”
From Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios:
“The Wheel of Time is endlessly fascinating and resonates hugely with fans as one of the best-selling global book franchises, and we were drawn to its timely narrative featuring powerful women at the core, We’re thrilled to extend our relationship with devotees who’ve found the book series transformative and welcome new ones by bringing it to life on Prime Video for viewers worldwide.”
From Sharon Tal Yguado, head of event series for Amazon Originals:
“Developing and producing Robert Jordan’s beloved 14-book series for TV is a big undertaking, and we don’t take it lightly. We believe that Rafe’s personal connection to the material and soulful writing will resonate with the book’s passionate fans.”
Toruk's TakeRobert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. The fact that Ms. Salke seems to be focused on the 'powerful women' aspect of this series is deeply, deeply disconcerting. The series is chock-full of characters both men and women, good and bad, weak and powerful. I don't want anyone near this project who doesn't grasp the balance and nuance that was at here.
Does this person know that two of the most powerful women in this series Moiraine and Nynaeve al'Meara were deeply flawed individuals who made plenty of mistakes? Will they erase these 'aspects' of the characters because it doesn't fit nicely within their agenda? Do they get that the post 'powerful' character in the story is gasp...a man? This is the series that only someone who truly understands and cares for the material should even approach. Otherwise, we are looking the advent of a complete and utter travesty.
