According to Deadline, long-time DC animation filmmaker Jay Oliva has been tapped to helm the forthcoming animated prequel The White Tower, based on Robert Jordan’s popular The Wheel of Time novels.
Oliva is directing from a screenplay written by Thor scribe Zack Stentz. Production is expected to begin in early 2024.
“I am so excited to be joining this amazing creative team,” Oliva said in a statement. “Reading Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time inspired me to become a filmmaker, and having an opportunity to explore the world he created has been a lifelong dream of mine. The rich history of The White Tower has intrigued me, and the expansive backstory of the books gives the creative team the freedom to tell a fresh and imaginative story within the familiar world that was so meticulously crafted by Jordan in The Wheel of Time.”
Oliva has directed a number of animated movies for DC including Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, Justice League: War, Batman vs. Robin, and Batman Bad Blood. He has also directed episodes of TV shows like Young Justice and Trese. Besides working as a director, Oliva has also worked as a storyboard artist for superhero movies like Thor: Ragnarok, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Deadpool.
What is The White Tower about?
The White Tower serves as the headquarters of Aes Sedai in both the novels and series adaptation. The action adventure will take place before the events of Jordan’s 14 novels and Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time series, which had just wrapped up its 8-episode second season.
“The film chronicles the story of a young girl with a special gift,” reads the synopsis. “Her life is forever changed when evil visits her remote mountain village. Finding herself alone in a dangerous world, she must go to The White Tower to learn how to use her magical powers to save her family and friends. Rebellious and mistrusting, she learns that there is something in this world that is as powerful a weapon in the fight against evil as any form of magic.”
The project hails from iwot productions and Quebec’s Squeeze Studios. Producers are Rick Selvage, Larry Mondragon, and Stentz. Further details about its voice cast and target release date are still being kept under wraps.
