Sarah J. Maas' stories are brimming with content that would make for excellent television adaptations, and herA Court of Thorns and Roseswas picked up by Hulu — though the adaptation’s prospects look grim after it was taken out of active development and lost its showrunner earlier this year. The complex world-building and dynamic characters found throughout Maas' books provide great foundations for on-screen adaptations. Many are hoping Hulu’sCourt of Thorns and RosesTV show will still happen, butanother forgotten Maas adaptation should have been first.
Throne of Glassis Maas' first fantasy series, and while it starts off less mature thanACOTAR,it’s a beloved part of the author’s lineup.All sevenThrone of Glassbookswould serve as a great introduction to the various fantasy worlds Maas has built, butHulu’s initial attempt to adapt the series went nowhere. It’s unfortunate the project never moved forward, as Maas’Throne of Glassshould be adapted beforeACOTAR —especially since Maas has teased there will likely be series crossovers infutureA Court of Thorns and Rosesbooks.
Hulu Announced A Throne Of Glass Show Before ACOTAR’s Adaptation — What Happened?
Throne Of Glass' Production Quietly Stalled Back In 2016
Maas’Throne of Glasswas first optioned for television back in 2016, with Hulu announcing it would adaptThrone of Glassa couple of years after the release ofEmpire of Storms.TheThrone of Glassshowwas to be named after the fourth book in the series,Queen of Shadows, and Maas even shared an image of the pilot script onInstagram. There were noteworthy names attached to the project, including Kira Snyder (The Handmaid’s TaleandThe 100) as a writer and Anna Foerster (Outlander) as a director.
Unfortunately, what looked to be a promising pick-up by Hulu stalled and was seemingly shelved.
Unfortunately, what looked to be a promising pick-up by Hulu stalled and was seemingly shelved. Since the initial announcement back in 2016, there have been no updates about theThrone of GlassTV show — a huge disappointment for fans of the books. With little information as to why the project was either paused or shelved,it’s unlikelyThrone of Glasswill receive an adaptation any time soon. Things looked more hopeful for Hulu’sCourt of Thorns and Rosesshow, but it would have been better to adaptMaas' fantasy seriesin publication order.
Throne Of Glass Serves As A Better Introduction To The Maasverse Than ACOTAR
Both ACOTAR & Crescent City Are Built Upon Throne Of Glass' Foundations
All of Maas' series deserve an adaptation, butThrone of Glasswould serve as a better introduction into the complex world-building found in the Maasverse.Throne of Glassbalances multiple storylines throughout its narrative, but Maas puts a heavy emphasis on its immersive fantasy landscape.Both the political dynamics and magic systems found in the series greatly affect Maas' later works, as she builds the worlds of Prythian and Midgard to exist within the same universe.Throne of Glassalso begins the series at a much slower pace, gradually introducing more complicated world-building elements to readers.
The ACOTAR, Throne Of Glass & Crescent City Timeline Explained
ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City share a setting and collectively span a few years, with some time markers to establish the timeline.
The way in which the plot progresses would make for a compelling TV adaptation, asviewers could gradually adapt to the Maasverse’s core rules and lore. For instance,Throne of Glass’main plot revolves around the idea of Wyrd gates, helping set up the foundations of a multiverse element present in all three of Mass' book series. If theACOTARadaptation is faithful to the source material, it will need to explain the multiverse dynamics — something onlyThrone of Glasshas done thus far.
Throne Of Glass Is Needed To Set Up A Court Of Thorns & Roses Crossovers Later On
The Multiverse Storyline Is A Major Plot Focus In Throne Of Glass
Maas' later book series often include nods to the world found inThrone of Glass, and she has teased on multiple occasions the possibility of a crossover. AlreadyCrescent City’s main heroine, Bryce, has found her way intoACOTAR’s Prythian inHouse of Flame and Shadow.And it’spossible thenextA Court of Thorns and Rosesbookwill expand on this dynamic. GivenThrone of Glassfocuses so heavily on the multiverse narrative, audiences would benefit from its adaptation ahead ofACOTAR.
While the multiverse plot won’t debut until much later in theACOTARseries, it is still an important element Hulu will need to strategically prepare for.
Obviously, Hulu’sA Court of Thorns and Rosesadaptation can choose to deviate from the books to make sense of this plot line, but it would likely receive backlash for doing so. While the multiverse plot won’t debut until much later in theACOTARseries, it is still an important element Hulu will need to strategically prepare for. As there have yet to be significant developments with Hulu’s production,it’s possible the studio needs to examine the idea of reintroducing aThrone of Glassadaptationprior to or alongside of itsA Court of Thorns and Rosesadaptation.
