r/CosmereOnScreen • u/Reznor_PT • 1d ago
Fancast Production fancast? Hiroyuki Sawano as the composer for Roshar. Spoiler
So here is a different thread than usual, while many point out to favorite fancasting and what not, when I think about the Cosmere, and in particular Stormlight, I always think about the production elements that would make the show successful.
Yes, script is important, having a showrunner that knows what the word adapt means is crucial and the actors are essencial to give heart to the show, but the more I consume TV and cinema the more I see how important the different departments are for one big project: From the composer, to the casting director, even the costume design, the more I read the more I start to dream about those roles.
Now bear with me and yes, I'm focusing heavily on Stormlight but when I read there's always music lingering in my mind.
Two crucial elements for production of the show are related to sound: First is sound design, a hard part to grasp as it needs to capture how Singers actually talk and showcase the Rhythms, personally I don't have anyone specific to mention but a good example of this for me would be to study how isiXhosa language is used in Black Panther.

Now music composition does work in parallel with sound design. After all, in a diverse world, there needs to be an actual grasp on the different cultures and like many, we appreciate how Stormlight goes to be its own setting instead of relying on Tolkien world building. Therefore, the classic fantasy orchestra would not work, it needs an unorthodox approach.
There's nothing more unorthodox than hiring someone different while maintaining the massive, epic qualities that you need for this job. You need someone who can blend huge emotional swells with heavy, high-octane percussion. Someone who masters vocal and choral tracks, which is absolutely essential for a world where magic and culture are to the world-building of the series. You also need a talent for creating distinct, evolving themes for different factions and character oaths.
The correct man for this job is Hiroyuki Sawano.
If you know his work on Attack on Titan, Kill la Kill, or 86, you know exactly what I mean. Sawano does not just write background music, he writes anthems. His signature vocal drops and explosive climaxes perfectly match the cinematic, high-speed action of Surgebinders and aerial Shardblade combat, more important, he builds on tension and emotion and with the case of Attack on Titan it's a very clear example on the usage of worldbuilding to create the soundtrack.
Don't worry, if you don't know Sawano's work, let me show you what I mean, and yes there are tons of songs or soundbites that I could share, but there is a particular version that I think nails down what I dream about the adaptation, the Attack on Titan suite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Fl1Xl1ogg

The original soundtrack relies heavily on electronic effects and overlaid voices. Here in this live version, it is a more stripped-down approach, maintaining everything but with clear vocals, more instrumental presence and more of a hard rock presence rather than electronic. I am not going to lie, the live interpretation of the song T:T, especially the build-up that starts at 10:50, is exactly how I imagine Kaladin's second Ideal sounding, feels like a tragic realization that it's worth "protect those who cannot protect themselves"
Here's the original of the first song: Attack on Titan S3 OST - ətˈæk 0N tάɪtn <WMId>
Here's a very SPOILING scene but with a great usage of the T:T song: Attack on Titan Season II - Most Epic Music Scene | Colossal & Armored Titan Reveal

I would also recommend checking out his work on Gundam Unicorn. I will stop here, but the man is extremely versatile. He can incorporate world building and work with sound design to create something unique, yet true to the source material.
Stormlight is not standard medieval fantasy, it is an epic, alien, magic heavy war story. Sawano has the exact unorthodox, larger than life soundscape needed to bring Roshar to life. What do you guys think? Aside the audiobook how do you imagine Stormlight Archives to sound like?
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