All You Need to Know About Michael B. Jordan

Fans of dragons and love triangles, your next TV binge-watch is approaching. On July 21, Amazon revealed that “Anne with an E” creator Moira Walley-Beckett will be the showrunner for the upcoming adaptation of “Fourth Wing.”

Widely regarded as one of the most successful books in recent years, “Fourth Wing” has over 218,000 Amazon reviews and counting. With its expansive magical universe filled with dragons, this adaptation is expected to be a costly endeavor. However, it aims to stand apart from “Game of Thrones”, though it surely seeks to attract a similar audience.

“Fourth Wing” is the first book in Rebecca Yarros’ “Empyrean” series. The first installment was released in May 2023, followed by its sequel “Iron Flame” in November 2023. The TV rights to “Fourth Wing” were acquired by Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, which will helm the Prime Video series.

The premise of “Fourth Wing” centers on 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail, who is compelled to attend the harsh Basgiath War College, where survival is the only rule. At this institution, young volunteers and conscripts undergo brutal training that can often result in death. Those who survive have the chance to bond magically with a dragon and become protectors of their homeland.

Violet’s mother, a powerful and enigmatic general, plays a key role in their kingdom of Navarre. At Basgiath, Violet gains both friends and enemies. Dealing with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a condition that also affects author Yarros, Violet pushes through the challenges. Each surviving recruit also acquires a “signet power,” a unique ability like mind-reading. As one might expect, Violet encounters even darker forces along the way.

At its core, “Fourth Wing” can be described as “Harry Potter” meets “Hunger Games” with a mature twist. This blend makes it a quintessential romantasy, a genre combining romance and fantasy elements.

One of the central characters is Xaden, a brooding dragon rider whose father was executed by Violet’s mother for leading a rebellion five years prior. This history lays the foundation for an enemies-to-lovers storyline.

While fans might speculate about Michael B. Jordan taking on the role of Xaden, for now, he seems to be involved solely as a producer. No casting announcements have been made yet, leaving room for possibilities.

The “Empyrean” series has achieved immense popularity, boasting a dedicated fanbase and strong reviews. Alongside Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” it stands out as one of BookTok’s biggest hits. Prime Video hopes to replicate this success with its adaptation, despite the mixed reception of its “Lord of the Rings” series, “Rings of Power.”

The “Empyrean” series continues with its second book, “Iron Flame,” and has three more installments in the pipeline. The third book, “Onyx Storm,” is scheduled for release in January 2025. Subsequent books delve deeper into a centuries-long war between Navarre, home to dragons, and Poromiel, known for gryphons, as well as a sinister foe called venin. Venin are individuals whose souls have been corrupted by stolen magic. Both books are packed with intricate plots and dramatic turns.

According to author Yarros, the rest of the series will unfold at a slower pace. Fans might face a scenario similar to George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones,” where the TV adaptation progresses faster than the source material.

Yarros expressed her enthusiasm about the TV deal, which was secured before “Fourth Wing” even hit the shelves. “Outlier is such a great production company and they have a wonderful diversity and inclusion rider, one of the first companies to have them,” she told Variety. “I knew they would respect the diversity of cast.”

Yarros will also serve as an executive producer for the series. “All I can say is that when I met with them in LA, they did ask if I wanted to come sit in the writers room. And I would never get in somebody’s way, but I just want to be like, hey, that plot point might mess with a point in Book Four, just a heads-up, just in case you want to do that!”

As for when “Fourth Wing” will premiere, it’s still in the early stages. The recent addition of “Breaking Bad” writer Walley-Beckett as showrunner certainly brings the project closer to fruition. Fingers crossed for a 2026 release!

Source: indiewire