"Wheel of Time" Animated Series, Movies and Video Game in Works

A slew of projects based on Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time” fantasy novels are in the works from IP owner iwot Studios and “Arcane” producer and Riot Games’ “League of Legends” vet Thomas Vu.

Under a new production partnership between iwot and Vu and Anthony Borquez’s media company, Initiate Entertainment, the pair will collaborate with iwot Studios CEO Rick Selvage and chief operating officer Larry Mondragon (both producers on Amazon’s now-ended “The Wheel of Time” live-action TV series) to develop and produce a new video game, animated feature films and a new animated television series based on “The Wheel of Time.”

Vu’s new “Wheel of Time” PC/mobile video game, and film and TV series projects are “aimed at broadening the franchise’s reach across platforms and engaging fans worldwide.”

which do not yet have attached streamers or distributors, 

The projects, which do not yet have attached streamers or distributors, are “distinct” from and in addition to the previously announced forthcoming “Wheel of Time” films, including 3D feature “The White Tower” and director Kari Skogland’s live-action movie “Age of Legends,” and the open-world AAA RPG video games iwot studios currently has in development at iwot Games Montréal.

The projects come on the heels of iwot Studios’ recently announced joint venture platform with Framestore.

It marks the latest pieces in iwot’s long-term transmedia strategy for “The Wheel of Time” following the live-action TV series’ cancellation at Amazon last May.

Previously head of creative and IP franchise at “League of Legends” maker Riot Games, Vu is best known for shaping the massively popular online video game, which boasts more than 100 million monthly active players, and a franchise spanning esports, music, games, and television.

Vu was also an executive producer on Netflix’s “Arcane,” a critically acclaimed animated series adaptation of the video game.

Borquez is the founder of Grab Games and co-founder of Grab Labs, an AI development company focused on the video game and entertainment industry through interactive storytelling and immersive experiences.

Borquez co-founded the University of Southern California School of Engineering’s video game programs.

“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 said. “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.”