EXCLUSIVE: Tomorrow Studios, the indie studio behind Netflix’s One Piece, has set out to adapt for television Skyward, the first book in bestselling author Brandon Sanderson‘s Cytoverse franchise. Sanderson will write the pilot script with TV writer-producers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

In the Skyward (aka Cytoverse) sci-fi book series, humanity is trapped on a harsh planet and constantly under attack by mysterious alien forces. The story follows Spensa Nightshade, a determined pilot who dreams of joining the fighter corps to defend humanity and redeem her disgraced father’s legacy. Blending high-stakes aerial combat, advanced technology, and themes of courage, identity, and discovery, the series explores both the secrets of the galaxy and Spensa’s growth from an outsider into a key figure in humanity’s fight for survival.

“Brandon has created a thrilling universe where courage, curiosity and determination to challenge what we think can change the fate of entire worlds,” said Tomorrow Studios’ CEO/Partner Marty Adelstein and President/Partner Becky Clements. “The vision that he, Jed and Maurissa have for a television adaptation is ‘defiant to the end’.”

Adelstein and Clements will executive produce the series through Tomorrow Studios, an ITV Studios partnership, along with Sanderson, Whedon and Tancharoen.

“I’ve been working on the Skyward series for nearly a decade, and to have a partner like Tomorrow Studios to help bring this story to television is a dream come true,” Sanderson said.

Sanderson, who works largely in the fantasy and sci-fi space, has sold more than 50 million books. His upcoming Cosmere novel, The Fires of December, is scheduled for release later this year. Sanderson is repped by WME, JABberwocky Literacy Agency, and Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman and Grodin.

The husband-and-wife writing and producing team of Tancharoen and Whedon’s credits also include the musical Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, which they co-created with Joss Whedon and Zack Whedon. It won a Hugo, Saturn, and Emmy Award. Tancharoen and Whedon are repped by CAA and Myman, Greenspan, Fineman, Fox, Rosenberg & Light.

In addition to One Piece, which is headed into its third season on Netflix, Tomorrow Studios recently produced the Prime Video limited series The Better Sister and Apple TV’s Physical. Adelstein and Clements are also executive producers on ABC’s Shifting Gears, and Adelstein executive produces Hulu’s upcoming Prison Break reboot.