Nearly a year after Prime Video shut down its live-action adaptation of Robert Jordan’s beloved fantasy novels, The Wheel of Time is officially coming back. The franchise isn’t just returning with one project, but a full slate of new content spanning animation, feature films, and video games.
The new wave of projects comes from a partnership between iwot Studios, the company that owns the rights to the book series, and Initiate Entertainment, led by Thomas Vu. Vu is known for his work as an executive producer on the critically praised Netflix animated series Arcane and his years of experience at Riot Games working on League of Legends.
The announcement arrives after Prime Video ended its live-action The Wheel of Time series in May 2025 following three seasons. The show received strong reviews throughout its run, with the third season earning a 97 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the positive critical reception, the show’s high production costs and declining viewership led to its cancellation.
A Fresh Start With Animation And Gaming
The new projects include an animated television series, multiple animated feature films, and a PC and mobile video game. The goal is to reach younger audiences and expand the franchise’s global presence in ways the live-action series could not fully achieve.
Thomas Vu expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity in an official statement.
“I see tremendous opportunity in expanding ‘The Wheel of Time’ into fully authentic, integrated, interactive, and animated storytelling experiences. The depth of the mythology provides a foundation for sustained, multi-platform franchise growth.”
The animated projects and the video game are separate from other previously announced Wheel of Time adaptations. Those include The White Tower 3D prequel film, a live-action trilogy called Age of Legends from director Kari Skogland, and an open-world AAA role-playing game still in development at iwot Games Montréal.
Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios, also shared his thoughts on Vu joining the team.
“Thomas has consistently demonstrated the ability to scale narrative worlds into global entertainment franchises. 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.”
Why Animation Makes Sense For This Fantasy World
Many fans and industry observers have noted that animation suits Robert Jordan’s massive fantasy universe better than live-action. The books feature large-scale battles, complex magical systems called the One Power, and a sprawling geography that covers an entire continent. The live-action series often had to cut corners or simplify elements due to budget and production limits.
Animation offers more flexibility. It can depict the weaves of the One Power without expensive visual effects shots. It can show the various cultures and locations without building massive physical sets. Creators can also fully realize characters like the Forsaken and the dark forces threatening the world without being limited by practical effects.
Vu’s track record with Arcane demonstrates his ability to deliver high-quality animated storytelling. Arcane became a cultural phenomenon for its stunning visuals, mature storytelling, and emotional depth. His involvement signals that these new Wheel of Time projects aim for similar quality rather than quick cash grabs.
iwot has shared a proof-of-concept image showing Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn and main character from the books, giving fans a first look at the visual direction for the animated projects.
What Happened To The Live-Action Show
The live-action The Wheel of Time series debuted on Prime Video in November 2021. It starred Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, Josha Stradowski as Rand al’Thor, Zoë Robins as Nynaeve, and Madeleine Madden as Egwene. The show received generally positive reviews from critics, with the third season reaching a near-perfect score of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
The series also earned nominations at the Saturn Awards and Hugo Awards. Despite these accolades, Prime Video decided not to continue the show after three seasons. The cancellation came as a disappointment to the dedicated fanbase that had grown around the adaptation.
Brandon Sanderson, the author who finished the book series after Jordan’s death in 2007, expressed his disappointment when the show ended.
“It had a fanbase who deserved better than a cancelation after the best season.”
The third season was widely considered the strongest of the three, making the cancellation timing particularly frustrating for fans who felt the show was finally hitting its stride.
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What We Know About The New Projects
The new animated series and feature films currently do not have attached distributors or streaming platforms. The video game is described as a PC and mobile title aimed at expanding the franchise’s reach across different platforms.
iwot Studios recently formed a joint venture with Framestore, a visual effects company, to launch an AI-enabled production platform. The Wheel of Time will be the first intellectual property to use this new platform, which is designed to unify production across film, television, video games, and animation.
Anthony Borquez, co-founder of Grab Labs and founder of Grab Games, joins the partnership. His background in AI-driven interactive storytelling and game development adds another layer of expertise to the project team.
The new animated projects aim to target younger audiences while keeping the core themes and depth of Jordan’s original books. The video game focuses on broadening the franchise’s appeal across platforms and engaging fans around the world.
Selvage and Larry Mondragon, the chief operating officer of iwot Studios, both worked as producers on the Prime Video series. Their experience with the live-action adaptation means they understand what worked and what could be improved in future projects.
The original book series began with The Eye of the World in 1990. Jordan wrote 11 novels before his passing, with Sanderson completing the final three books using the author’s notes and manuscripts. The full series spans 15 books including a prequel, making it one of the largest fantasy sagas ever written.
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