Guys guess what. I’m at Dragonsteel again! Well, as of writing this, I’m at work. But if you’re reading this right when it’s out, Ava and I are wrapping up our time at Dragonsteel Nexus 2025 (we’re actually probably driving home…). I am SO excited to go once again with Ava and our fellow bestie and book club member Olivia. We went in 2023, had a blast, missed the ticket drop for 2024, but managed this summer to snag three tickets for this years convention. And I couldn’t be more excited. Stay tuned next week for all the exciting panels and events that we went to!
A common discussion when it comes to Sanderson books, both within and without Dragonsteel, are the rumors, updates, and purchasing of rights to Brandon Sanderson properties. We have yet to see a show or movie adaptation of one of his books, but it’s only a matter of time. Sanderson holds his books close to his heart, and even went as far as to write a script adaptation of Mistborn himself to ensure it was done well. And while he said in 2023 that the project has been scrapped, there’s still great potential there. It may take us years yet, but I’m confident that one day we’ll get to see his stuff on screen.
There are endless ways and books that can be adapted. We could see shows or movies, live action or animated, or even video games and graphic novels. Here, I’ll share the three properties that I want to see the most, and how I think they would best be portrayed.
Disclaimer: If these projects aren’t done perfectly, I don’t want them! I would rather there never be a movie or show based on Sandy’s works if they will be as disastrous as some of the slop out there (*cough cough*, Eragon, Percy Jackson (2010), Eragon (2006), The Wheel of Time, etc.). In all reality, I’d be content to never see an adaption. This is a wish list, I suppose, sharing what I would want to see should everything be done right.
The Alloy of Law: Western Movie Drama
When I read The Alloy of Law for the first time, I was so delighted by how punchy and quick and exciting it was. This book isn’t long, but boy is it exciting. I talked about it last week, actually, recommending it as my choice for western style fantasy read, and it deserves the extra praise.
As for why I think this would work well, it’s due to how quick and engaging it is. Love or hate Sanderson’s writing, but we can all agree that he can be very ling winded. I never felt that here. There is a mystery to be solved, people to be saved, and high-flying action to be had!
I think it helps that this book was originally just a standalone, and wasn’t intended to spawn an additional Mistborn era. Because it was written on its own at first, I think that lends itself to it’s movie-ability.
I would love to see scenes of Wax flying above Elendel, and know that Wayne would be the incredible comedian that we know him to be. The mystery of the novel would adapt well to screen, too, since so much of it centers around seeking and chasing after the villains. And who doesn’t love a good western?
Call me crazy, but I’d be fine if we didn’t get adaptations for the other three Era Two books. I just need this one, and need it done well, to be satisfied. I think it would be ambitious to do all four, especially if there isn’t a tie in movie/series to Era One. I just think TAoL is short, succinct, and perfect for screens.
Skyward: Sci-Fi Animated Series
Guys can I admit real quickly that I’m a fake fan? I technically haven’t finished the Cytoverse series. I own all of the books, most of them signed, even, but haven’t actually read beyond the beginning of Cytonic. But I LOVE Skyward. I’ve loved it ever since I listened to Sanderson read the prologue a whole year before its release while he was on the Oathbringer tour. And I think it would make for a really cool animated series.
I’d be hesitant to see this one in live action, or as a movie, due to how much goes on, even in one book. Plus, with all the dogfighting scenes, alien ships, and scenes underground in the caverns, I’d be scared to see what all the CGI looks like. Probably better if it were an animated show.
I think Skyward would do well because of the great cast of characters and the never-ending action. There’s a good balance of heart, heat, and humor here. Spensa is a great protagonist, Jorgen is a wonderful rival-turned-friend, and M-bot is just perfect. This book is far from boring, and I’d love to see like, an 8 episode mini-series for it.
Scenes I would want to see most are when M-bot gets flying again for the first time, anytime the debris field clears to show the stars, and to see the flight simulations in action. This could be like. If Voltron: Legendary Defender was actually good (beyond the first like, two seasons). I want cool space stuff!
Steelheart: Dystopic YA Trilogy
It’s been a long time since I’ve read Steelheart, but it holds a special place in my, uh, heart. We listened to the audio books with my dad on car trips, and one year in speech and debate I even performed the prologue as a dramatic interpretation. I think the whole series would do well as a show, being a kinda gritty family-friendly adventure. The setting of Newcago would be sweet, very steel and concrete core, and the adventure of supervillains and evil powers would do well.
With the series being completed and just three books you can read in a few days, it wouldn’t be too hard to replicate. It follows the trend of off-the-beaten-path superhero shows that have been popular lately (Invincible, The Boys, Peacemaker), but since it’s obviously a YA series, it would be one the whole family could watch.
I think this would be a solid life-action trilogy, which would be good marketing. Each book is in a new, unique location, the dystopic setting as a whole would be memorable, and the cast of characters is colorful and dynamic. Plus, David is just a wonderful protagonist. He’s funny, sincere, and determined. I think the viewers would really like him.
The scene’s I’d want to see most are the final confrontation against Steelheart, the setting of the second book, Babilar, a flooded NYC, and all the different powers that the Epics have.
Some may call me crazy for not having Mistborn Era One or the Stormlight Archive on here, but I think they’re way too long to be adapted well. Which sucks, because that’d be sick, but I just don’t think they lend themselves well to film/TV adaptations. They should stick to RPGs and maybe some video games. Unless they’re done perfectly and have a budget of a bajillion dollars a season.
So, what do you guys think? Do you agree with my top three choices? What would you like to see adapted? Do you think we’ll ever even get an adaptation? Let me know, and stay tuned next week for all the fun things I got to do at Dragonsteel! Maybe I’ll have some adaptation news to help share.
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