A fan of the series can rightly ask how we intend to fit an 800 page novel into a 120 page screenplay. Clearly, this won’t be easy. However, we have a significant advantage in using a visual medium that will enable us to take an entire chapter of descriptive narrative from the novel (say, the escape from Shadar Logoth or Thom’s apparent death at the hands of the Myddraal or Perrin’s feral rage as he unsuccessfully tries to fight off the Whitecloaks) and visually present this in a powerful scene or two. That being said, there most certainly will have to be some elements of the story edited, cut, abbreviated or compressed in order to fit within the time constraints of the movie format. Before letting loose your groans, please understand that we do know that done poorly, a movie adaptation of fantasy novel can be beautiful to the eye, but excruciating and incomprehensible to follow (did anyone else want their ticket money back after having seen The Golden Compass?). I strongly believe that what is important in our story is not the litany of events or minor characters described in the novel, but rather, the coming of age of five young friends (Rand, Egwene, Perrin, Mat and Nynaeve), as they leave their sheltered lives in the Two Rivers and embark upon a journey of self-discovery in which they must overcome their fears while accepting and embracing their unique individual talents in order to serve a greater good. In my way of thinking, our great task is to establish strong, identifiable characters who each face choices that will alter the rest of their lives, and in so doing, the fate of the world.

I’m sure that I have broken some hearts, having definitively revealed that we are not making a 19-hour movie that will include every supper-song, Darkfriend and skinny innkeeper portrayed in The Eye of the World. For that, I’m truly sorry. However, I expect that those in The Wheel of Time community who give our finished film a chance will discover that our adaptation will prove to be faithful to the characters and main plotlines of the novel, while bringing forth an exciting visual perspective to this wonderful world that Robert Jordan (and his talented proxy, Brandon Sanderson) have given to us.

May you always find water and shade,

Larry Mondragon
Red Eagle Entertainment