Mistborn movie is still happening, as Sanderson announced it was on hold in December 2023 (via Winter Is Coming). If the film adaptation does come to fruition, there's a lot it must get right about the Mistborn books — including an underrated strength the series doesn't get enough credit for.
Mistborn's characters are a highlight of the beloved fantasy saga, but it isn't just their nuanced depictions and powerful abilities that make them interesting. The relationships between the series' main characters are just as compelling, and Sanderson's romance subplots are probably the most underrated element of his books. While diehard Mistborn fans will be excited to see every detail brought to the big screen, the romances will help the adaptation succeed with mainstream audiences less familiar with the source material.
Mistborn's Romance Subplots Are The Most Underrated Part Of The Books
Brandon Sanderson Writes Believable & Charming Relationships
With so much else going for the series, Mistborn's romances aren't as hyped as other aspects of the books. However, there's no denying that Sanderson writes believable and compelling relationships that make readers further invested in his characters. This starts with the original Mistborn trilogy, which places the relationship between Vin and Elend front and center. These two characters have chemistry almost immediately, and their relationship develops over time, making the payoff feel more earned when they finally get together. Kelsier's love for Mare also pulls at the heartstrings, as does Sazed's relationship with Tindwyl.
It's easy to see why players like Wax and Steris fall for one another, and their relationship feels as natural and earned as Vin and Elend's.
Mistborn Era 2 may continue the weird trend of centering love triangles involving two siblings, but it also boasts romances you'll want to root for while you're reading. Just like Mistborn Era 1, the second series allows its romantic relationships to unfold over time rather than throwing the characters together instantaneously. It's easy to see why players like Wax and Steris fall for one another, and their relationship feels as natural and earned as Vin and Elend's. Mistborn's romances may not be the most exciting part of the series for fantasy lovers, but they add a relatable layer to Sanderson's stories.
The Romance Storylines Will Help Sell A Mistborn Movie To Mainstream Audiences
The Adaptation Can Capitalize On The Popularity Of "Romantasy"
Mistborn's romance storylines may be an underrated part of the books, but they can help sell the movies to mainstream audiences. It's no secret that romance adds depth to any genre, and thanks to BookTok, the combination of romance and fantasy is especially popular these days. By playing up its central relationships, a Mistborn movie can appeal to viewers who don't know much about the source material. It's hard to sell complex magic systems and intricately built words in a brief movie trailer. But relationships are easy to get across while promoting a film, and they'll resonate with almost any moviegoer.
The Mistborn Movie's Delays Are Killing My Hopes For Another Perfect Vin Actor
The Mistborn film has been slowly working through development, but with another setback, it's likely the perfect Vin actress will age out of the role.
There's a reason that even the most serious adaptations, like The Hunger Games, get boiled down to their romance subplots: because they're easy for most viewers to grasp and cling onto. And in a bleak world like The Hunger Games' Panem or Mistborn's Scadrial, they give people something smaller and more hopeful to root for. Needless to say, the Mistborn adaptation needs to properly capture the books' romances and market them well. It also needs to strike a good balance, as overdoing the relationships could have a negative effect on longtime fans hoping for a faithful film.
A Mistborn Movie Shouldn't Overdo Its Romantic Relationships
Brandon Sanderson's Balancing Act Is Why They Work So Well
Appealing to mainstream audiences is important if Mistborn hopes to have a successful box office run, but the movie must also avoid overdoing its romantic relationships. Focusing on them too heavily could come at the expense of other aspects of the story. This would likely turn fans of Sanderson's books away from the project, which would also risk the adaptation's success. The important thing is striking the right balance, something that Sanderson himself does masterfully.
The reason Mistborn's romances work so well is that they firmly remain subplots, but they're large enough to feel like a constant presence in the story.
The reason Mistborn's romances work so well is that they firmly remain subplots, but they're large enough to feel like a constant presence in the story. Romantic relationships often motivate the characters, even as they're focused on higher-stakes problems. And Sanderson's books don't spend much time on steamy moments or grand romantic gestures. The relationships are written well enough to get the characters' intimacy across without dwelling on it. If a Mistborn movie can convey their feelings just as well, it's sure to be a success, both among general audiences and diehard fans of the books.
Source: Winter Is Coming
