The Wheel Turns Again: ‘Arcane’ Producer Thomas Vu to Spearhead Massive ‘Wheel of Time’ Animated Expansion

The Wheel of Time has not finished spinning. Just one year after the sudden cancellation of the Prime Video live-action series, Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy world is set for a massive “transmedia” rebirth.

In an exclusive first reported by Variety, Thomas Vu—the veteran Riot Games executive and producer behind the Emmy-winning Netflix sensation Arcane—has partnered with IP holder iwot Studios to develop a sprawling new slate of projects. The expansion includes an animated television series, multiple animated feature films, and a new video game.

A New Vision for Rand al’Thor

While the live-action series led by Rosamund Pike was cut short after three seasons, this new animated direction aims to capture the sheer scale and magical complexity of the books—elements that fans often argued were better suited for animation.

Thomas Vu, who helped transform League of Legends into a global cultural powerhouse, is bringing that same franchise-building philosophy to the Two Rivers. “I see tremendous opportunity in expanding The Wheel of Time into fully authentic, integrated, interactive, and animated storytelling experiences,” Vu told Variety. “The depth of the mythology provides a foundation for sustained, multi-platform franchise growth.”

The Animated Slate and “The Proof of Concept”

As part of the announcement, iwot Studios released a striking piece of proof-of-concept art featuring the protagonist Rand al’Thor. While the specific animation studio has not yet been named, the involvement of Vu has sparked immediate comparisons to the lush, high-fidelity aesthetic of Arcane.

The Creative Powerhouse

Vu is joined in this venture by Anthony Borquez of Initiate Entertainment, a pioneer in VR and AR storytelling. The duo will collaborate with iwot CEO Rick Selvage and COO Larry Mondragon. Selvage praised Vu’s ability to “scale narrative worlds,” noting that his background at the intersection of technology and storytelling makes him uniquely suited for a world as dense as Jordan’s.

For fans who were left mourning the end of the Prime Video series, the “Age of Animation” offers a glimmer of hope. By leveraging the expertise of the team that made Arcane a gold standard for adaptations, The Wheel of Time may finally find a medium capable of holding the full weight of its 14-volume legacy.