Why doesn’t Amazon support The Wheel of Time as much as it does The Rings of Power?

Why doesn't Amazon support The Wheel of Time as much as it does The Rings of Power?

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for epic fantasy series that span generations and dimensions of imagination, I can’t help but feel a sense of disillusionment at the rumors swirling around Amazon’s The Wheel of Time. Having spent countless hours immersed in the intricate tapestry of Robert Jordan’s novels, I find it hard to comprehend how such a rich and captivating saga could be relegated to the shadows while lesser siblings bask in the limelight.

There are whispers circulating that the Amazon series “The Wheel of Time” could potentially face cancellation after its third season, set to release next year. As per reports from YouTube channel WoT Up, individuals working on the production appear concerned about the possibility of the show not being renewed for additional seasons.

It might appear illogical given Amazon’s minimal support for “The Wheel of Time”, but it’s not shocking that “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is their preferred show in the fantasy genre on their streaming platform.

Why has The Wheel of Time not received the love it deserves?

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but voice my opinion that “The Wheel of Time” deserves more backing from Amazon than it currently receives, compared to their investment in “The Rings of Power.” For one, the production cost of “The Wheel of Time” is significantly lower than that of “The Rings of Power.” Michael Nordine of Variety reported that each episode of “The Rings of Power” requires approximately $58 million for its creation. However, according to Joe Skrebels of IGN, “The Wheel of Time” costs nearly a sixth of this amount to produce. This is an astronomical figure for any show, and while “The Rings of Power” is still excellent, it doesn’t surpass the best fantasy series on television despite being the most expensive.

As an ardent fan, I firmly believe that “The Wheel of Time” deserves more recognition due to its richer source material. Compared to the magnificent tales spun in “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the Amazon series “The Rings of Power” is derived from appendices to “The Lord of the Rings.” Essentially, these are concise summaries of events that took place long ago in Middle-earth. The show’s creators often take creative liberties to bridge these gaps, and while some of their ideas might be intriguing, they rarely match the elegance and depth of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings.

Contrarily, “The Wheel of Time” series is constructed from a collection of 14 novels that revolve around a single comprehensive narrative. The sheer volume of material found in these books is indeed impressive; however, it could potentially be adapted into eight to ten seasons, given the flexibility to include more episodes per season. Notably, the cost for an entire season is comparable to that of just one episode from “The Rings of Power”.

In summary, while the creators of The Rings of Power may spin an engaging tale, given that it’s a prequel to Lord of the Rings, we’re all aware of its ending. On the other hand, those who are fans of The Wheel of Time novels will be the ones who know how it concludes. Those viewers who have discovered The Wheel of Time only through the series and prefer not to delve into almost 10,000 pages of text are in for quite a few unexpected twists.

Many individuals who started watching “Game of Thrones” at the outset hadn’t previously read the books, with none having finished the final two installments so far. This series serves as a benchmark, setting the bar high for other shows within this genre to aspire to.

How to make sure Amazon commits to The Wheel of Time

It seems odd that Amazon hasn’t established “The Wheel of Time” as a cornerstone series on their streaming platform, given its potential. The show doesn’t receive the necessary promotion, and occasionally, it feels like the narrative is being hurried through. Allowing for an additional two episodes per season could greatly improve the storytelling.

There’s still a chance to catch up or revisit if you’re a fan of “The Wheel of Time” books or series. If you’ve been following the series, don’t forget to watch seasons 1 and 2 once more, and tune in for season 3 as it premieres. Amazon’s decision on whether to renew the show might depend on viewership numbers, so make sure to catch each episode!

The story in The Wheel of Time is absolutely worth telling completely and thoroughly. It would be a shame for the genre if the show were canceled before that story was told. It would be the death knell for the future of genre on television. If they can’t tell a story as rich as this one, why would anyone else attempt to tell others?

2024-11-27 17:41