In a candid admission at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, Brandon Sanderson, the renowned fantasy author and co-writer of ‘The Wheel of Time’ book series, revealed his valiant efforts to reshape the controversial storyline of the character Perrin Aybara in the Prime Video adaptation. Sanderson’s apology and insight into the behind-the-scenes creative process have shed light on the challenges faced when adapting beloved literary works for the screen.
Perrin’s storyline, which sees him accidentally kill his wife in a harrowing moment during the show’s first season, has been a point of contention among fans. Sanderson, who was personally chosen by Robert Jordan’s widow to complete the epic fantasy series following Jordan’s passing, expressed his dissatisfaction with the direction taken for the character he affectionately refers to as “my boy Perrin.”
In a heartfelt admission, Sanderson stated, “Sorry about Perrin on the show. It’s not my fault. I tried. Oh, how I tried.” He then delved into the details of his proposed alternative, revealing that he had presented a different approach to showrunner Rafe Judkins, one that would still achieve the desired narrative beats without subjecting Perrin to the traumatic event that haunts him throughout the first season.
Sanderson’s idea involved Perrin wounding Master Luhhan instead, allowing the character to explore his internal struggle with rage while still being able to embark on adventures with his friends. “He’s worried about the rage inside of him – you can get all the same beats without doing the thing that you did, and then he also won’t be traumatized for the entire first season. And he can actually go on fun adventures with friends,” Sanderson explained.
Despite Judkins’ support for Sanderson’s pitch, the decision ultimately rested with higher authorities, and Sanderson’s efforts were rebuffed. “They took it all the way to the higher-ups and fought for my version of it, and they said no,” he revealed, alluding to the complex dynamics and “forces at play” within the entertainment industry’s decision-making processes.
Sanderson’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the creative tug-of-war that often occurs when adapting beloved literary works for the screen. While acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the show’s writers and crew, he expressed frustration at the constraints imposed by external forces, hinting at the influence of executives seeking to emulate the success of shows like “Game of Thrones.”
“There are certain forces moving. You know that Jeff Bezos, at one point, said, ‘I want Game of Thrones, buy it for me.’ And they were like, ‘You can’t have Game of Thrones,’ and he was like, ‘Buy me something that is my Game of Thrones’ And there are certain forces at work. There’s just lots of forces at play. I’ll just say that,” Sanderson shared, shedding light on the pressures faced by creative teams working on high-profile adaptations.
As ‘The Wheel of Time’ continues its journey on Prime Video, with season 3 already renewed, Sanderson’s involvement and influence on the show’s trajectory remain uncertain. However, his commitment to preserving the essence of the beloved fantasy series is evident, and his willingness to voice his concerns and advocate for more faithful adaptations has endeared him further to the dedicated fan base.
Sanderson’s candid revelations serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between artistic integrity and commercial considerations in the entertainment industry. While his efforts to reshape Perrin’s storyline may have been thwarted this time, his passion for the source material and his determination to fight for its faithful adaptation will undoubtedly continue to resonate with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in ‘The Wheel of Time’ saga.
