Variety recently broke the news that the expansive world of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time is set to grow with several fresh adaptations. These upcoming projects are being spearheaded by the IP’s rights holder, iwot Studios. To bring these visions to life, the studio has teamed up with Thomas Vu—a veteran of Riot Games and a key producer behind the acclaimed series Arcane—and Anthony Borquez’s firm, Initiate Entertainment.
The announcement triggered a wave of polarizing reactions across social media. While many enthusiasts are delighted that the franchise will endure through these new ventures following the cancellation of the Prime Video adaptation, others have expressed apprehension. The primary concern revolves around iwot Studios’ strategic ties to entities heavily involved in generative AI. For instance, Borquez is the mind behind Grab Labs, a company that specializes in AI-driven development for the gaming and entertainment sectors.
Borquez and Vu will collaborate with iwot Studios executives Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon—both of whom served as producers on the Amazon live-action series. This creative team is currently mapping out a multi-platform expansion that includes a new video game, an animated television series, and a slate of animated feature films.
This isn’t the first instance of iwot Studios aligning itself with the AI landscape. Just last month, the studio announced a partnership with the VFX powerhouse Framestore to launch an “AI-enabled platform” designed to optimize asset management across their various intellectual properties.
Amazon’s take on The Wheel of Time concluded after three seasons, facing an early end due to viewership trends and production costs. Despite its short run, dedicated fans have pointed out that the series was a product of genuine human craftsmanship—a quality they fear might be lost in an AI-heavy production environment.
While there is no definitive confirmation that AI will play a role in the actual creative output of the new films or games, speculation is already rife. Some observers are scrutinizing the early concept art shared in the Variety report, questioning if the visuals were algorithmically generated. For now, the fanbase remains on high alert, waiting to see if iwot Studios’ technological ambitions will overshadow the soul of Jordan’s beloved epic.
Source: Polygon
