An update surrounding The Wheel of Time reveals a harsh truth about the franchise's future and its potential return to the big and small screens. Based on Robert Jordan's book series of the same name, The Wheel of Time was received well by viewers and critics when it first premiered on Prime Video in 2021. After earning a favorable Rotten Tomatoes score of 81% and performing well from a commercial standpoint, the show was renewed for another season, which continued its successful run.

The Wheel of Time season 2 was later followed up with another installment. Unfortunately, even though the The Wheel of Time was abruptly canceled after season 3. A new update surrounding the series makes its overarching franchise's future even more uncertain, revealing a harsh reality about several book-to-screen adaptations and their long-term viability.

The Wheel Of Time Isn't Being Shopped Around To Other Streaming Services Or Networks

It Seems Unlikely It Will Return After Its Prime Video Cancellation

Every time a show gets a premature closure, there is always a semblance of hope that it will be shopped by another streamer or network. Considering how The Wheel of Time never experienced any major dips in overall quality, it was hard not to believe that it would eventually be shopped by another network after its cancellation on Prime Video. Surprisingly, however, a new update has confirmed that The Wheel of Time is not among the few fortunate shows that get a second shot at life elsewhere after their initial cancellations.

The definitive update surrounding The Wheel of Time season 4 (via TVLine) has revealed that the show is not being picked up by other streamers or networks. Even though The Wheel of Time's latest installment managed to rank on top in several parts of the world, its declining performance in the US seems to have contributed to its early end. Another streamer or network would have continued it, but saving a show that is showing a consistent decline in viewership with each new installment can always be a risky endeavor.

The Wheel Of Time Would Need A Reboot In Order To Be Adapted On Screen Again

Viewers Will Have To Wait For Another Take On The Original Books

Given how no other streamer or network is showing interest in continuing Prime Video's take on The Wheel of Time, it seems unlikely that its fourth installment will ever see the light of day. Since far less popular shows have also returned after initially being axed from their original streaming homes, viewers might still hope for the Prime Video fantasy series' comeback. Unfortunately, with no streamers or networks showing interest in its revival, the chances of The Wheel of Time's return seem slim.

What makes The Wheel of Time's cancellation even more disappointing is that the show got pretty far into the original story. Since its source material is incredibly popular and has garnered even more attention after the show's release, another adaptation of the book series might happen in the future. However, considering how the show covered a lot of ground from the books, it will likely be a while before studios and filmmakers will consider adapting it again for the big or small screens.

...The show's sudden ending highlights how even moderately successful series with ambitious budgets can often stumble and lose their immunity to early cancellation.

A reboot of the franchise will also have to start from the beginning instead of continuing the story beats established by the Prime Video show. This again would be frustrating for viewers who were looking forward to finding out how the next arc in the television iteration of the franchise would unfold. While audiences can still check out the books to learn more about the full scale of the original story, the show's sudden ending highlights how even moderately successful series with ambitious budgets can often stumble and lose their immunity to early cancellation.

The Wheel Of Time's Cancellation Means There'll Likely Be Another Huge Wait Before A New Adaptation

A New Adaptation Of The Original Books May Not Happen Anytime Soon

The first Wheel of Time book, titled The Eye of the World, was published in 1990. Realizing its potential in the audiovisual storytelling medium, NBC optioned its screen rights in 2000. After remaining undeveloped for decades, the flywheels behind The Wheel of Time's production finally started moving in 2016 before the show eventually landed on Prime Video in 2021. Given the amount of time it took for the series to leap from page to screen, it seems unlikely that its reboot will happen anytime soon.

The Wheel of Time's cancellation on Prime Video may also be seen as a cautionary tale about the limitations of the franchise's potential in the live-action medium, which might discourage studios and filmmakers from picking it up for a reboot. This again would prevent it from getting another adaptation in the near future. Audiences are still trying to save The Wheel of Time by g petitions, but that is often not enough for streaming services to reverse their decisions.