Fantasy juggernaut The Wheel of Time set for TV series return – but with a different format

Fans of Robert Jordan’s beloved behemoth fantasy The Wheel of Time can rejoice, as the franchise has been reborn following the shock cancellation at Prime Video following the conclusion of the third series last May.

However, the latest news from Randland may not be quite what viewers had hoped for. According to Variety, the new projects will not continue the hugely popular live-action series starring Rosamund Pike and Josha Stradowski.

Instead, the fantasy franchise will expand in the form of a new video game, animated feature films and a new animated television series.

The newly announced projects will be spearheaded by producer Thomas Vu, known for his work on Arcane and League of Legends, alongside IP owner iwot Studios.

Alongside the announcement, Vu also revealed a first look at a proof-of-concept rendering of the Dragon Reborn, Rand al’Thor, from iwot Studios, showcasing a similarly impressive “painterly” digital art style to Arcane.

The projects will be developed under a new production partnership between iwot, Vu and Anthony Borquez’s media company, Initiate Entertainment. They will also collaborate with iwot Studios CEO Rick Selvage and chief operating officer Larry Mondragon, both of who previously served as producers on the live-action series.

This news follows an impressive fan-led petition (#SaveWOT), addressed to Sony Pictures Television, Prime Video and other streaming platforms, calling for the show to be revived at Prime Video or picked up by another streamer.

Along with the GoFundMe campaign that raised over $32,800 for billboard advertising, more than 200,000 fans signed the petition – showing just how much the franchise means to its passionate fanbase.

For now, viewers can look forward to a new PC and mobile video game from Vu, as well as the film and television projects, which at the time of writing do not yet have confirmed streamers or distributors.

iwot has also confirmed that these projects are separate from previously announced the Wheel of Time projects, including the 3D-animated prequel The White Tower, the live-action film The Dark One – centred on the rise of the Dark One and the Forsaken - and the open-world AAA RPG currently in development at iwot Games Montréal.

According to Variety, the new projects are “aimed at broadening the franchise’s reach across platforms and engaging fans worldwide".

“I see tremendous opportunity in expanding ‘The Wheel of Time’ into fully authentic, integrated, interactive, and animated storytelling experiences,” Vu said.

“The depth of the mythology provides a foundation for sustained, multi-platform franchise growth.”

“Thomas has consistently demonstrated the ability to scale narrative worlds into global entertainment franchises,” iwot studios CEO Rick Selvage added.

“His background at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and franchise architecture makes him uniquely suited to help expand The Wheel of Time in new immersive formats.”

“We look forward to working closely with Thomas and Anthony as we bring the next chapter of ‘The Wheel of Time’ to audiences around the world.”

Many will be hoping that Thomas Vu and iwot Studios can reunite members of the original live-action cast to lend their voices to the upcoming projects, particularly given how vocal they have been about the show’s cancellation.

The Wheel, as ever, continues to turn – and while this may not be the continuation many had hoped for, it marks an exciting new chapter for the story in animated form.

The Wheel of Time seasons 1-3 are available to stream on Prime Video.

Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.