Sanderson: WoT Fans Deserve Better, S4 Petition Hits 120K

The future of The Wheel of Time appears bleak following Amazon Prime Video's decision to cancel the series after Season 3, compounded by reports that the show isn't being pitched to other streaming platforms. Adding fuel to the fire, Brandon Sanderson - who completed Robert Jordan's epic book series - has openly criticized the show's decision-makers.

Behind the Cancellation Decision

Prime Video recently concluded its "lengthy deliberations" by deciding against renewing The Wheel of Time for a fourth season. While executives reportedly appreciated the show, financial constraints prevented its continuation.

This adaptation of Robert Jordan's beloved fantasy saga, starring Rosamund Pike, struggled through its initial seasons with divisive deviations from the source material. Yet Season 3 managed to win over many fans and seemed poised for greater success moving forward.

Production costs proved prohibitive for co-producers Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios, the latter already committed to the expensive Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series.

Industry reports indicate:

...the Season 3 performance didn't justify the production costs for Prime Video, despite various scenarios being considered during negotiations with Sony TV.

Author's Frustrations Surface

Sanderson revealed in a YouTube comment thread:

"I wasn't meaningfully involved in these decisions despite my name being used for show credibility. While I had critiques, the show found its footing in Season 3 and deserved better than this abrupt ending. The dedicated fanbase certainly deserves more."

The author expressed disappointment at being excluded from creative decisions while simultaneously being leveraged for his association with the franchise.

Fan Outcry and Slim Hopes

Over 120,000 supporters have signed a petition demanding the show's continuation, arguing the story deserves proper completion. However, reports indicate no active efforts to find the series a new streaming home.

While some fans speculate about potential interest from Apple TV+ - known for high-budget genre productions - the platform's existing commitments make this scenario unlikely.

This cancellation marks another unsuccessful attempt to adapt what many consider the pinnacle of fantasy literature, leaving the beloved saga's screen future in doubt.