MOVIE NEWS – The Wheel of Time producer and director Sanaa Hamri promises an expanded scope of Season 2 and a big battle scene in the returning fantasy series.

The Wheel of Time producer and Season 2 director Sanaa Hamri promised heightened stakes and an epic battle scene for the returning fantasy series. After the Season 1 finale of The Wheel of Time in 2021, Rand al’Thor, played by Josha Stradowski, will face his fate as the prophesied figure known as the Dragon Reborn in Season 2. Meanwhile, the final moments of Season 1 introduced a new threat in the form of the Seanchan, an invading army bolstered by enslaved magic users.

Speaking to SFX magazine, Hamri, along with co-producer Marigo Kehoe, revealed that The Wheel of Time Season 2 will feature “one of the greatest battles of all time” and that the series will be reminiscent of epic historical dramas like Gladiator. Hinting that Season 2’s own finale will “take the series to new heights,” Hamri also explained that showrunner Rafe Judkin envisions a more action-packed and character-driven season. Check out his comments below:

“There were times when we had six cameras going at once. When I met with [showrunner] Rafe [Judkins], we talked about the vision for season two and more action, deeper, more nuanced character work, and a strong visual world. If you have a great first season base, then you can really jump out of it and take really great visual opportunities and within the acting as well.”

How will The Wheel of Time Season 2 change the books?

Long before Prime Video began its own live-action adaptation of The Wheel of Time, there was considerable appetite among Robert Jordan’s readership for his work to be translated to the screen. But despite a handful of failed attempts and a controversial 2015 pilot starring Billy Zane, it wasn’t until 2021 that viewers finally got a chance to see Jordan’s expansive fantasy world come to life.

However, it soon became clear that Prime Video’s approach to the original books included significant changes, and the latest trailer for The Wheel of Time Season 2 hints at even more changes. Between Rand seeking out Logain to be trained in the use of the One Power and Ayoola Smart Aviendha hunting Valere’s horn with Perrin, the events of Season 2 hint at constant deviations from the source material.

However, given the sheer size of Jordan’s books, as well as the constraints imposed by eight-episode seasons, these changes often come out of necessity. Readers familiar with George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series could point to many similar deviations in HBO’s Game of Thrones series, and the changes Judkins and his team made would be necessary primarily to keep the show’s narrative flowing. If Hamri’s recent comments are anything to go by, viewers still have plenty to look forward to for Season 2 of The Wheel of Time.

Source: SFX Magazine