Universal Pictures are preparing a cinema version of Robert Jordan's epic fantasy cycle The Wheel of Time.

The 12 book series is due for completion in 2009, with Brandon Sanderson completing the final novel based on Jordan's notes and tapes, following the author's death from cancer last year.

Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon will produce the first film, The Eye of the World, for Red Eagle Entertainment. The books follow numerous characters, but focuses on three in particular, Rand al’Thor, Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara.

Rights to the series were obtained by NBC in 2000, when they intended to air a miniseries based on The Eye of the World, but this never reached the screen. Various computer games have been released, as well as an accompanying soundtrack.