Michael B. Jordan Vows to Avoid ‘Corny’ Tropes in ‘Fourth Wing’ Fantasy Epic

Post By DJ Longers
February 13, 2026

“Nothing Cheesy”: Michael B. Jordan Vows to Avoid ‘Corny’ Tropes in ‘Fourth Wing’ Fantasy Epic

SANTA CLARA, CA — Fresh off his double-role triumph in the thriller Sinners, Michael B. Jordan is setting his sights on the skies. Speaking this week about his upcoming Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing, the actor-producer made a bold promise to the franchise's massive "romantasy" fanbase: his version of the dragon-riding war college will be anything but "corny."

In an interview with the BBC, Jordan, whose production banner Outlier Society is spearheading the series, addressed the high expectations—and the skepticism—that come with adapting a BookTok phenomenon often described as "the next Game of Thrones."

The Fight Against "Cheesy" Fantasy

For Jordan, the key to success lies in the tone. While Fourth Wing is famous for its high-stakes dragon battles and intense romance between leads Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson, the producer is determined to ground the magical elements in a gritty, "honest" reality.

“So just know, it’s nothing cheesy coming out,” Jordan stated. “It’s not going to be those obvious choices. I think it’s going to be something that feels honest... Something that lets people fall in love with the characters they imagined in their heads without any baggage.”

Jordan emphasized that the production is “in the lab” and “cooking,” working closely with newly minted showrunner Meredith Averill (The Haunting of Hill House) to ensure the world-building is sophisticated rather than campy.

The Casting Condition

The biggest hurdle for the series remains its casting. Fans have spent years "fan-casting" the roles of the silver-haired Violet and the shadow-wielding Xaden, leading to a digital minefield for the production team. Jordan’s strategy? Balanced anonymity.

No "Distracting" Stars: Jordan noted he is avoiding "stunt casting" or "obvious" A-list choices that might pull viewers out of the immersion.
The Mix: The goal is a combination of fresh, unknown faces and established, respected performers to anchor the more senior roles (such as the cutthroat General Sorrengail).
The "MBJ" Question: When asked if he might step in front of the camera himself—perhaps as a dragon-riding professor or the voice of a dragon—Jordan remained cryptic, offering a simple: “I don’t know.”

A Rival for ‘The Wheel of Time’

The update comes at a strategic time for Prime Video. With the streamer’s other big-budget fantasy, The Wheel of Time, recently concluding its run, Amazon is positioning Fourth Wing (and its Empyrean sequels) as its premier adult fantasy anchor.

By leaning into the "G.O.T." style of political intrigue and lethal consequences—where characters can die at any moment during the "Basgiath War College" trials—Jordan is signaling that the show will aim for a mature audience that values stakes over spectacle.

When to Expect the Dragons

While the series is "picking up serious steam," fans will need to be patient. With the third book, Onyx Storm, having just dominated the 2025 charts and the script currently being refined, industry insiders suggest a late 2027 or early 2028 premiere date is most likely.

For now, Jordan’s message to the millions of "Flight or Die" fans is clear: he knows how beloved this IP is, and he isn't going to let it be "cornball."