Book Riot – The Podcast: "Making Sense of Franchise Adaptation News"

Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Jeff O’Neal & Rebecca Schinsky

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jeff and Rebecca dissect the current, often perplexing, state of major book-to-screen adaptations—a landscape marked by delays, corporate hesitancy, and shifting priorities among streamers. They focus on much-hyped projects like the "Fourth Wing" adaptation and the blockbuster news of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere series landing at Apple TV+. Along the way, they touch on the politics of representation in casting, the economics and strategic calculus of adapting “horny IP,” and the enduring cultural resonance of authors like Octavia Butler.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Fourth Wing Adaptation: A Stalled Fantasy Gambit

• Segment: [10:27–17:22]
• Summary:
  • Jeff describes the latest “update” on the "Fourth Wing" adaptation as “strangely George R.R. Martin-sounding,” meaning: it’s all talk, no substantive progress ([10:27]).
  • Michael B. Jordan, attached as producer, is doing press to assure fans, but Rebecca pegs the latest comments as “the vaguest possible answer you can give” ([14:30]).
  • The series was announced in October 2023 but is still in “early stages”: no casting, scripts in limbo, no director ([10:59]).
  • Rebecca speculates Amazon may be intentionally slow-walking the project, perhaps worried about burning out the IP before the book series is finished, or wary of the “fickler” romantasy fandom that’s “much more a circle than it is an infinity symbol” with other big properties ([14:30–18:07]).

Notable Quotes:

• “This does not sound to me like actual progress has been made. This feels a little—or actually a lot—of ‘doth protest too much.’” – Rebecca ([11:54])
• “If things were really cooking, there would be details here. But instead it's: ‘we really want to get it right, so we're taking our time.’” – Rebecca ([14:30])
• “It just feels like for most of the people involved—Euros, Coogler, Amazon—this is like a B-minus exciting prospect to get into this business…” – Jeff ([16:05])
• “Eventually can mean a really long time though.” – Rebecca ([17:22])

2. Representation and Responsibility in Adaptation Casting

• Segment: [20:14–22:14]
• Summary:
  • News broke that Odessa A'zion stepped down from the lead role in the "Deep Cuts" adaptation following the online debate about the character's heritage.
  • Both hosts express mild disbelief that actors would sign on to book adaptations without reading the original works.
  • They underline the importance of respecting source material and fan expectations.

Notable Quotes:

• “I would encourage people taking roles and adaptations to read the book ... If you're going to star in a movie based on it, is that too much to ask?” – Jeff ([21:01])
• “Spend a couple hours, read the book, know what you're getting into. And I would think that an actor would also want a sense of what fans of the book ... might be looking for.” – Rebecca ([21:34])

3. Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere Universe Gets the Apple TV+ Treatment

• Segment: [22:36–30:23]
• Summary:
  • The episode’s biggest news: Brandon Sanderson’s “Cosmere” universe (Mistborn as a film series; Stormlight Archive as a TV show) is coming to Apple TV+ with Sanderson himself as “architect”—an unprecedented level of authorial control ([23:13]).
  • Rebecca likens Sanderson’s fan engagement to Taylor Swift’s: he’s “a one of one,” directly cultivating a massive, multi-generational audience through self-publishing, Kickstarter, and his own convention ([23:13]).
  • Contrast is drawn to Amazon’s recent wavering on high-budget fantasy projects, suggesting that Sanderson’s consistent output and clean (non-explicit) content make him unique and lower-risk.
  • Apple’s motivations diverge from the viewership numbers game—big-budget, beautiful shows serve as “halo effect” prestige objects more than subscriber draws ([25:40]).
  • The hosts speculate on the sustainability of large-scale genre adaptation and Sanderson’s unique appeal after Dune and in the shadow of a looming Harry Potter reboot.

Notable Quotes:

• “We should think of Brandon Sanderson as the Taylor Swift of fantasy books.” – Rebecca ([23:47])
• “He will be the architect of the Cosmere universe ... a level of involvement that not even JK Rowling or George R.R. Martin has.” – Rebecca ([24:57])
• “Apple will spend a jillion dollars. It will be gorgeous. And they seem to be much less invested in actual viewership ... They like it as a halo effect.” – Rebecca ([25:40])
• “If you want one of these flagship properties, there’s just not many of them to go get. And so you go get one if you can.” – Jeff ([26:05])

4. Don DeLillo’s Forgotten Foray into ‘Hockey Smut’ and the Rise of Sports Romance

• Segment: [33:17–36:44]
• Summary:
  • The hosts are delighted and bemused by Alexandra Alter’s report that Don DeLillo (as “Cleo Birdwell”) wrote what may be the “OG of hockey smut”: An Intimate Memoir by the First Woman Ever to Play in the National Hockey League.
  • The book, once commercially successful and now out of print, is cited as evidence of the enduring appetite for steamy sports romance, now a dominant BookTok trend.

Notable Quotes:

• “It was like obvious that this was a fictionalized memoir. But it’s maybe the OG of hockey smut ... Maybe they're gonna run it back now.” – Rebecca ([33:59])
• “I didn't know this existed. When I was reading this, I felt my immune system rejecting it. … I couldn't process.” – Jeff ([34:26])
• “Do you think he was like, ‘Oh God, do I just have to write hockey smut for the rest of his life?’” – Rebecca ([36:01])

5. The Octavia Butler Phenomenon & Sales of Black Authors

• Segment: [37:38–40:45]
• Summary:
  • Book sales data show the enduring popularity of Octavia Butler, whose works remain in demand despite supply constraints.
  • The hosts discuss scarcity of used editions and Butler’s elevated stature as genre fiction gains more literary prestige.
  • Frustration is aired over the lack of standout Black-authored fiction bestsellers in 2025, aside from a continued (and deserved) focus on classics.

Notable Quotes:

• “The enduring popularity of Octavia Butler—maybe it is this political timeline that we’re on ... But the episode about Parable of the Sower is one of our top five or six episodes.” – Rebecca ([37:47])
• “Her esteem has grown over time and genre has become more prestigious in the literary realm.” – Jeff ([38:44])

6. Current (Non-Fiction) Reads

• Segment: [40:45–50:47]
• Summary:
  • Rebecca recommends “Why We Click” by Kate Murphy: an exploration of the science of interpersonal synchrony, group vibes, and social “regulation” ([40:45]).
  • Jeff shares his recent kick for excellent prose: raves about “The Season” by Helen Garner (memoir about Australian youth sports and family connection) and “All Consuming” by Ruby Tandoh (essays on modern food culture).

Notable Quotes:

• “As a person who is interested in relationships and connection, also we think about it on a work level ... I just like that we have science about this now.” – Rebecca ([41:15])
• “I'm not looking to be entertained. I'm not even really looking to be educated or informed ... I'm just looking for good sentences and cool ideas.” – Jeff ([44:48])

Other Memorable Moments

• The Testaments / Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu
  Rebecca, referencing the current political climate, talks about the continued appetite (and personal fatigue) for dystopian adaptations, noting, “The Trump Vance administration has been great for the market for dystopian adaptations.” ([19:05])

• Book Volunteerism
  In a rare “free ad,” both hosts passionately recommend the Five Calls app to promote direct political engagement ([07:30–10:27]).

• Meta-Adaptation Chatter
  Jeff expresses mild dread about the impending HBO multi-year Harry Potter series: “Deepest of we need to remind ourselves to enjoy these days before that show comes out because I really don’t want to deal with it like 17 different ways.” ([30:23])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fourth Wing adaptation discussion: [10:27–17:22]
• Cosmere/Brandon Sanderson adaptation news: [22:36–30:23]
• Don DeLillo’s “hockey smut”: [33:17–36:44]
• Octavia Butler & Black authors’ sales: [37:38–40:45]
• Current Reads—from “Why We Click” to “All Consuming”: [40:45–50:47]

Tone & Takeaways

• Wry, skeptical, but hopeful.
  Jeff and Rebecca bring their signature blend of industry savvy and sharp humor, poking fun at adaptation hype cycles while championing authors who cultivate real, enduring relationships with their readers.
• They are frank about uncertainty—whether about the future of streaming, the priorities of tech-company-funded TV, or the necessary calculus behind adaptation investments.
• Their love for literary “deep cuts” and critical thinking about both trends and tropes grounds the discussion in a passion for books as living culture.

For those newly tuning in or curious about franchise adaptation drama, this episode is a masterclass in contextualizing the news, poking holes in Hollywood press bluster, and celebrating the enduring power of great writing and passionate fandom.