Apple TV+ Acquires Exclusive Rights to Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere Universe
Cupertino, Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
Apple secures Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe for film and TV. The deal grants the author unprecedented creative control, surpassing even J.K. Rowling’s influence over adaptations.
A Strategic Acquisition for Apple TV+
In a move that significantly escalates the streaming wars, Apple Inc. (AAPL) has officially closed a deal to acquire the adaptation rights to Brandon Sanderson’s “Cosmere” universe [1][3]. This agreement, finalized as of January 28, 2026, is described by industry insiders as “unprecedented” in its scope and structure [1][7]. Apple TV+ aims to develop this intellectual property into a sprawling multimedia franchise, specifically targeting Sanderson’s Mistborn series for feature film adaptation and The Stormlight Archive for development as a television series [1][5]. This acquisition places Apple in direct competition with other high-fantasy heavyweights, as the tech giant seeks to replicate the franchise success seen by competitors leveraging the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin [1].
Defining Creative Control
The negotiations, which followed a competitive bidding situation involving meetings with most major studio heads, have resulted in a contract that offers Sanderson a rarefied level of authority over the adaptations [1]. Unlike typical licensing agreements, Sanderson is set to serve as the “architect” of the live-action universe, retaining roles that include writing, producing, and consulting [1][2]. Most notably, the author has secured approval rights over the projects, a degree of creative leverage that reportedly exceeds that enjoyed by J.K. Rowling or George R.R. Martin regarding their respective screen adaptations [1][3]. For the television adaptation of The Stormlight Archive, production company Blue Marble, led by former WME agent Theresa Kang, is already attached to executive produce [1][2].
The Valuation of Fandom
Apple’s investment is underpinned by the substantial economic footprint of Sanderson’s literary empire. To date, the author has sold over 50 million copies of his novels worldwide, establishing a massive, built-in audience for the upcoming screen projects [1][3]. Furthermore, Sanderson has demonstrated an exceptional ability to monetize his fanbase directly, having raised nearly $100 million through various crowdfunding initiatives [1][7]. This figure includes a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign that generated nearly $42 million for four novels alone [1]. This suggests that outside of that specific campaign, Sanderson has generated approximately 58 million USD through other crowdfunding efforts, highlighting the high liquidity and engagement of his consumer base.
Unlocking the Cosmere
The “Cosmere” refers to a shared literary universe that connects various worlds and eras through a unified mythology involving the death of a being named Adonalsium, whose power was shattered into 16 shards [1][3]. These shards, scattered across different planets, form the basis of the magic systems found in the novels [1]. The Mistborn trilogy, slated for film, follows a group of magicians utilizing metals to overthrow a dystopian empire, while The Stormlight Archive, planned for television, is set in a world defined by magical storms and ancient knights [1][2]. While no release dates have been set, the sheer volume of content available—including over 25 novels—provides Apple with a long-term content pipeline similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe [2][3].