In his newest Not a Blog post, George R.R. Martin does us all a big favor by clearing the air about the new Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire “spin-off” ideas under development, announced by HBO earlier this month. HBO stated in the announcement that four potential spin-off series ideas were under development, with four different writers. The news sent Game of Thrones fans worldwide reeling, and fired up our imaginations with numerous possibilities for seeing the show’s universe expanded.
Thankfully, Martin is here to provide some straight-shooting and actual facts!
The first major point: the author confirms that all of the potential new shows under development are prequels, not sequels. He goes so far as to say that, “None of these new shows will be ‘spinning off’ from GOT in the traditional sense…Some may not even be set on Westeros.”
Martin re-confirms his involvement in the new projects (HBO announced as much previously), stating that he first met with HBO about developing a new show back in August, pitching them two series at the time. Martin says, “One of those is among the concepts being developed, one is not.”
Martin takes the opportunity to clear up a slight error in the initial report- and reveals that a fifth writer is involved in the project now!
It was stated in some of the reports that I am working with two of the four writers. That’s not quite right. I’ve actually been working with all four of the writers. Every one of the four has visited me here in Santa Fe, some of them more than once, and we’ve spent days together discussing their ideas, the history of Westeros and the world beyond, and sundry details found only in The World of Ice & Fire and The Lands of Ice & Fire… when we weren’t drinking margaritas and eating chile rellenos and visiting Meow Wolf. They are all amazing talents, and I am excited to be working with them. In between visits, I’ve been in touch with them by phone, text, and email, and I expect there will be a lot more back-and-forth as we move forward.
And there’s more. We had four scripts in development when I arrived in LA last week, but by the time I left we had five. We have added a fifth writer to the original four. No, I will not reveal the name here. HBO announced the names of the first four, and will no doubt announce the fifth as well, once his deal has closed. He’s a really terrific addition, however, a great guy and a fine writer, and aside from me and maybe Elio and Linda, I don’t know anyone who knows and loves Westeros as well as he does.
So, Martin has been involved with all four of the scripts, and there’s another player in the game. Now that’s some exciting news, but Martin doesn’t stop there. He also eliminates some possibilities from our spin-off guessing game by confirming that two popular choices aren’t even in the running!
According to GRRM:
We’re not doing Dunk & Egg. Eventually, sure, I’d love that, and so would many of you. But I’ve only written and published three novellas to date, and there are at least seven or eight or ten more I want to write. We all know how slow I am, and how fast a television show can move. I don’t want to repeat what happened with GAME OF THRONES itself, where the show gets ahead of the books. When the day comes that I’ve finished telling all my tales of Dunk & Egg, then we’ll do a tv show about them… but that day is still a long ways off.
We’re not doing Robert’s Rebellion either. I know thousands of you want that, I know there’s a petition… but by the time I finish writing A SONG OF ICE & FIRE, you will know every important thing that happened in Robert’s Rebellion. There would be no surprises or revelations left in such a show, just the acting out of conflicts whose resolutions you already know. That’s not a story I want to tell just now; it would feel too much like a twice-told tale.
So Dunk & Egg and Robert’s Rebellion are off the table. Personally, it’s very disappointing to hear Dunk & Egg isn’t an option but I can understand his reasoning.
It’s a little funny- the more information we get, the less we know.
(And yes, he’s still working on The Winds of Winter!)
Complete ASoIaF
HOLD THE DOOR!!!!
Fifth writer is @BryndenBFish. Save this comment
Great!
hmmmm
Dance of the Dragons
Black fyre Rebellions
Aegons Conquest
Its nice to know GRRm believes that he will complete the dunk and egg series.Iam just wondering he will have time for it amidst all the wildcards and spinoffs and not to mention his main series and simillarion..
Like I said in other thread we can only hope all the mystery surrounding Summerhall and maesters and what happened during RR and knowledge about WW and their goal all get solved in the coming TWOW And this book to release BY next year when the show finishes
very interested to see who the fifth writer is 🙂
We have added a fifth writer to the original four. No, I will not reveal the name here. HBO announced the names of the first four, and will no doubt announce the fifth as well, once his deal has closed. He’s a really terrific addition, however, a great guy and a fine writer, and aside from me and maybe Elio and Linda, I don’t know anyone who knows and loves Westeros as well as he does.
high praise coming from Martin, now I’m dying to find out who it is 🙂
Mr martin is very hard working, so many projects planned ^^
I wish him the best of luck, can’t wait for WOW.
I’m thinking Bryan Cogman.
I’m sad about the elimination of Roberts rebellion and Dunk and Egg
but I understand the reasons, The world has so many good stories to tell.
I would also love for Bryan cogman to be the fifth Writer.
Cogman was keeper of the lore, and it was weird he wasn’t one of the writers listed before. It should be him.
I’m glad Robert’s Rebellion isn’t in the running. No offense intended to fellow fans who felt otherwise, but I’m totally with GRRM on the reasoning here.
I’m far less enthusiastic to learn they’re all prequels. I’d hoped for a sequel as one of the shows. Bleh.
His reasoning makes 100% sense to me. No Robert’s Rebellion as we are already gonna find out all the important things once he one day finishes the story so it’s a little pointless. Dunk and Egg he seems to think would be a good project but too difficult for him to commit to considering it’s no way near finished and he doesn’t want that pressure to have a timeline to finish. He also mentioned no sequels either, he doesn’t want it to feel like a spinoff at all instead a successor show. I personally think that’s a good thing, The theory of a sequel didn’t really excite me to be honest.
Hmm about the fifth writer, I could be 100% off base but he did have lunch with a GOT writer 4 days ago Bryan Cogman per his twitter it could always be him, he would love the GOT world considering his been writing for it for quite awhile or they could just be friends having a lunch together.
I’m willing to bet the fifth writer is Daniel Abraham.
Also, heh. It’s way too optimistic to believe we’ll see “seven or eight or ten more” Dunk and Egg novellas in this lifetime.
I don’t think the Blackfyre Rebelion would work too well. That Rebellion spanned multiple years and many different actual rebellion unless they just focus on Aegon the unworthy and his progeny. That could play out very Henry the fifth court politic like. I think Dance of Dragons would be cool but that would take a HUUUUUGE budget with all those dragon fights. I don’t think HBO would be interested in it if it didn’t revolve around the Targaryons or the Starks.
That is heartbreaking on no Robert’s Rebellion. While he makes a point that we’ll know everything, it doesn’t mean we don’t love Robert’s ruthless crude charisma, Ned Starks dull brooding mood…
The list goes on. Quite gutted about that. Oh well, still imagine what comes out will be awesome!
Dance of the dragons seems to be the obvious choice.
Oh thank god. Those are the two I didn’t want them to do. It would have been bad.
Glad he cleared this up. I think Bryan Cogman is the 5th writer. Any other ideas of who it might be? I’d love a popular fan like BryndenBFish if it isn’t Cogman, but I think it’d be someone already in the business.
I guess my theory that GRRM would complete Dunk & Egg via TV was wrong. Totally understand his reasoning there.
It sounds like GRRM is not actually writing the scripts along with any of the writers, but helping them like he did with David & Dan. Ideally I would like to see a show that he’s really involved with (writing or co-writing most of the episodes), but I’m happy he’s still working on The Winds of the Winter instead.
Aegons conquest and his two sons would make for a brilliant show.
I would also love a show about Aemon the Dragon knight and the kings he served.
Quinton O’Connor,
A sequel would have been cool, but we don’t actually know how this series will end. There may not be much to work with when the ending comes.
Matthew The Dragon knight,
Yaasss bring on the Targ history
I don’t buy it.
Strictly from a monetary stand point I don’t think HBO is going to just ignore the most popular spin off potential.
Could be wrong but I just get the feeling this is all smoke and mirrors
Matthew The Dragon knight,
I don’t see Aegon’s Conquest working as a TV show. The Targaryens curbstomp everybody, other than the Dornish, and for TV audiences Dorne = suckitude. There’s little real drama there.
Nerwen Aldarion,
GRRM’s permission is required for any spinoff. He’s said many times in the past that he doesn’t want to do Robert’s Rebellion because he doesn’t think it’s necessary (either as a book or a TV project, when both have been raised), so that’s nothing new.
GRRM’s reasoning behind waiting on Dunk and Egg is completely contradicted in his reasoning for not doing Robert’s Rebellion. I agree there seems to be too many projects and not enough days between Dunk and Egg ever getting “finished”. What’s wrong with letting some artful show runners start with what we have and bringing in the usual suspects to write the rest?
Oh, good news. Yay!
Sue the Fury,
Yeah, the Cogman or Dave Hill would be a priority choice. I wonder if they would ever consider someone from the blog culture for a pilot? (BFish, Adam Feldman, Kleinheinz, etc.)
So, Sue, get ready for a new ‘watchers’ site:
Watchers of the First Men?
Nymeria Watchers?
Watchers of the Doom?
Watchers of the Walkers?
🙂
Mel,
If we wait for him to “finish” Dunk and Egg then “we are already gonna find out all the important things once he one day finishes the story so it’s a little pointless.”
Hodors Bastard,
Why not keep the same site ?
Watchers on the wall still works fine 🙂
Gina,
Aemon the Dragon knight is one of my favorite targaryans. his skill with a blade, and his tragic love for his sister Naerys was very heart breaking. Aemon was also kingsguard to three very interesting kings. The young Dragon Daeron, Baelor the Blessed, and Aegon the unworthy would make for some great tv ^^
Matthew The Dragon knight,
True, but if they did the story of Brandon the Builder or Azor Ahai….the current site name would be a spoiler! 🙂
I hope the fifth writer is someone we never known either from GOT like cogman or from fandom blogs like BBfish or meereenese blot guy .Nothing against these guys but I just want a new face and new flavor to the stories than these guys.
His reasoning for not doing RR is exactly what people have been saying why it won’t be done .iam just surprised that he is still hopefull he will finish dunk and egg. Finishing the series by show where he actively taking part in writing table would have made more sense
I hope it’s about either the Long Night, or Aegon’s Conquest. Preferably both. I primarily want the Long Night, because then we’ll see the First Men, and then we get to hear the Old Tongue on screen, because I’ve wanted to hear the Old Tongue on screen since we met the Thenns.
Hodors Bastard,
Azor Ahai would be pretty great, there are many choices to pick from.
Westeros is full of brilliant characters and stories, it would be very interesting to see what they pick ^^
Matthew The Dragon knight,
That would be my new fav show! Aegon’s conquest would also be great, especially because of his sisters. Such interesting ladies! Plus dragons.
So it is clear then we will see The Long Night and The first Targaryen Invasion 😆😆
Do you mean his sister-wives? Aegon’s conquests make the Cersei-Jaime tryst look like a supervised middle-school slow dance. (Perfect for HBO!)
I bet Doom of Valyria because he said it may not be in Westeros
Hahahaha I started rolling when he said “when I finish a song of ice and fire” hahahahaha lmfao…ain’t ever happening. 😒😞😔😕😭😭😭😩😩😩😩😩
I’m in for them all. I think all of this sounds nothing but positive.
asshai would be interesting. i’d also really want to see the story of the doom of valyria. the other story i am interested in is the start of the faceless men in the mines. also, i wouldn’t mind a show about all the brandons. show stuff from all the different times happening in each episode. i think that could make for some really creative storytelling.
Sounds okay to me. And I wouldn’t rule out Dunk & Egg further on down the road. But it sounds like he wants to have more creative control of that than would be possible at this point, with only three novellas finished and many more still circling around in his brain.
ManderlyPieCompany,
Yeah, I’m thinking Doom of Valyria too. It’s already been set up in GoT as this mysterious cataclysmic event that obliterated an advanced culture.
Since it doesn’t look like those mysteries will be addressed and answered in GoT S7 or S8, it’d be an ideal subject.
We’ll see.
PS Cute jokes from GRRM about “finishing” Dunk & Egg and ASOIAF. Ha ha.
Marlana,
Agreed. Just complete the series and stop taking on a thousand and one projects while fans are still awaiting the original story that started in the 90’s!
Matthew The Dragon knight,
Yeah, sooooo hard working that he takes a decade to write a book. He’s pathetic
I like to see the time after Black fyre Rebellion leading up to Robert’s Rebellion. A young Tywinn Lannister in Casterly Rock and what his family life was like. Tywin’s Father would by part of the story. It could also show Cersei Jamie and Tyrion when they were born and as children. The story could also show how the Mad King Reign started and how he got more and more crazy through the years. The story of Reign of Castamere could be shown.
Broken Wolf,
The old tounges already been on screen. When Wun-Wun talks he’s speaking the old tongue and they use subtitles. All the giants speak in the old tongue.
Well, all I know is as long as HBO keeps the core of the production group together that is bringing us Game of Thrones every year, minus D&D of course, we will have yet again another great epic to watch on HBO every Sunday night for 10 weeks a year.
Watching GoT is like watching an hour long movie, the quality is that good, we all know this.
As long as these new writers give us some quality characters, storylines and very deep character development we will all be very happy.
Throw in some epic fantasy elements here and there and that inner child in us will also be very happy.
I was really wishing they would do Dunk and Egg ROME style, but I am still excited.
HBO has this epic churning machine of brilliant behind the camera people just waiting to be giving a new direction after GoTs, and hopefully D&D can hand off the reins to these new writer/producers and never miss a beat.
I don’t want Robert’s rebellion.
I wanted RR, but oh well.
I hope it’s not Aegon’s Conquest.
Maybe it’s something set in Asshai or Yi Ti…. that could be interesting.
I’m sad I won’t see RR, but I understand GRRM’s concern: he won’t risk to develop a show which would have been interesting for only a small fractions of the fans. Even among us there are people who don’t want RR.
I have never really liked Dunk&Egg, so my first reaction was relief. Then I thought that a well-done show would have made me warm up to their stories. I found the main two characters fun, but all the others seemed like a mass of indistinct faces and the plots appeared to be too simple, with little mystery and even less psychology. But I would like future Dunk&Egg short stories to prove me wrong. Unfortunately I can’t see any chance for any new ones to be published.
I’m open to the freshness of a new age, new characters, new actors to discover. My favourite would be The Dance of the Dragons, but I’m looking forward to any less explored time and place from the Martinverse.
I just can’t see how any of those ‘historic’ big themes like the conquest or the dance could work. Complicated backdrops, new characters and lots of cgi makes me doubt they’ll go this way. Most successful follow-up shows have a connection to the first that is obvious to the average watcher. Roberts Rebellion is out, so werde left with the childhood of our current main characters. While the Lannisters could work, it doesn’t seem that exciting. The Starks seem too peaceful and the climax of Danys story is in Game of Thrones. So I’m at a loss here which leads me to believe we’ll get whole original stories that don’t really travel. That explains the different scripts. This way they can chose better.
I’m glad for no Robert’s Rebellion,seriously screw RR,i always thought it was the least interesting story for a spin off not to mention that the focus of it is one of the things that i hate the most in all of fiction,romance .
Bryan Cogman. He’s wonderfully mad about every detail in the Thrones world and has experience with the TV show. If it’s not him, they should add him as a sixth writer.
Dance of the dragons then!!
Anyone else wondering what he is talking about when he says “None of these new shows will be ‘spinning off” …Some may not even be set on Westeros”
I’m curious if he just means the continent or the whole world? Because If the latter why even talk about it as a spinoff.
Please let it be The First Long Night. I want to see Bran the Builder.
Robert’s Rebellion is already told through the books. That kind of prequel doesn’t work. You already know the fates of the characters involved and there would be no vested interest in them. How do hold an audience then? Dance of Dragons would be too costly from a budget perspective. Dunk and Egg is apparently not one of them, which kinda surprises me. Other possibilities? The history of Westeros and Essos can provide a wealth of stories: Nymeria? The Golden Company? Age of Heroes? The Falcon King? Tales of Braavos?
Hoping Bryan Cogman is the fifth writer – he has always come across as someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of the universe, and has written come great episodes for GoT. He was the first person I figured HBO would consult as a potential showrunner for a spin-off.
I get where GRRM is coming from over Dunk and Egg, and given that their story begins not long before the Second Blackfyre Rebellion, I doubt those rebellions will be involved in one of the spin-offs unless we get some sort of pre-D&E spin-off covering the Courts of Aegon IV and Daeron II up to perhaps the First Blackfyre Rebellion and the Battle of Redgrass Field. I do still really like the idea of a series based on that.
It will be interesting to see which areas of the world are going to be explored more, and if HBO are looking for multi-season shows or limited series.
I think this rules out blackfyre rebellions as dunk and egg are involved in half of them directly. Aegons conquest is a boring story everyone just bends the knee, there is one battle no betrayals… everyone just goes shit we surrender.
I think dance of dragons would be a good option it seems unfilmable due to budget but thats what they said about game of thrones. There are about 20 dragons involved in that one….it couls get nuts
Queenofthrones,
He means it won’t be like shows like friends and it’s spinoff Joey. It’s based in the same world but it won’t need GOT and it’s characters and story to hold it up, it will become a separate entity that he wants to stand on it’s own two legs.
He means some ideas could possibly be in Essos or perhaps even based in Old Valyria before it was destroyed. Though some ideas probably will be based in Westeros.
Just because we will know every important thing about a Robert’s Rebellion in the books doesn’t mean that we will know it in the show. We know very little comparatively in the show, and I personally see it as a lost opportunity to show the tv audience what clearly happened back then instead of relying on a couple of flashbacks and some cryptic hints. I agree with him about Dunk & Egg…not enough material there in the first place.
In my mind there’s only 2 options if it’s not based in westeros
1- the age of Valyria … there’s mystery there
How did they find the dragons how did they tame them how did they harness the magic and finally what exactly brought about the doom of valyria in a single night
2- and this 1 is insane but in the world of ice and fire it’s mentioned a targaryen once tried flying south and flew for years but never reached the end of that strange continent termed as southos … that’s where our story lies … there’s so much mystery there and lands ,cultures, creatures drama we have no clue of
Finally I wanna throw this out there –
If we have westeros essos southos there’s definitely a northos/northeros/ Norse that we’ve never heard of
What if there’s something further north that’s pushing the white walkers south
Bam- new game and a greater look at planetos
Frosteffen,
Just because you know what happens in a story doesn’t mean it’s not worth exploring onscreen. Otherwise no books would be made into shows or movies. Why make Harry Potter or LotR? If you read the books you already know what happened, right?
Besides, casual show watchers probably know much less about the Rebellion than the rest of us. Not to mention it’s less of a fantasy story and could bring in a new audience. I think the real reason is that GRRM still has some secrets to share, and he doesn’t want HBO spoiling it like they did with GoT.
Bryan Cogman comes to mind, when he mentions a writer who is a massive fan of his world…
Right now, Im too invested in ASOIAF and GOT to care much about a new series.
I personlaly think these would make interesting shows and have not seen them suggested or discussed:
1. How Varys became Varys, The early days of Varys and Illyrio before King Aerys’s court. Lots of secrets thievery and scheming. Could be fun.
2. Braavos! The escaped slaves, the early institutions that became the Iron Bank, Faceless Men and Sealord of Braavos traditions. Threat of and interactions with Valyria.
3. Queen Nymeria’s back story and adventures up to her arrival in Dorne.
Crazy idea I know, but how about finishing the books before working on any cash grab spin-offs? Or at least announce that the books will never be finished so we don’t have to live with false hope.
I don’t understand why he doesn’t want to do Robert’s Rebellion. GRRM doesn’t want new info on the shows but he also doesn’t want old info? Isn’t GoT a twice-told tale (at least season 1-4ish?) It doesn’t make sense because we have seen RR, isn’t that at least part of adapting literature to the screen?
If there were a sequel in the works, I would absolutely be on board, but a prequel isn’t going to draw me in.
For anything to work, it has to have a clear and definite connection to the characters that I have grown to love.
Also, the last thing I would want is something written by a ASoIaF superfan of any sort. Cogman understands writing for television, and I think he would do a wonderful job. While the fandom is interesting and knowledgeable, there is too much focus on the minutiae and too poor an understanding of how to tell a story with an overarching theme. So many fans have already missed what GRRM has been writing (It was obvious that Stannis was going to die a small death after a massive failure) that I wouldn’t trust them at all.
Interesting that he mentioned not all are set in Westeros, I say open up GRRM’s “The World of Ice and Fire” because it appears these writers took their story ideas after reading that book. I’m leaning to three in Westeros and two set in Essos. I fell in love with Nymeria’s story after reading TWoIaF, hopefully her tale is one of the pilots, with Maisie in the titular role. Nym and her people flee Valyria then stop for a year or two here and there, it would be a perfect opportunity to introduce new characters and subplots each season (series for you UK lovers), think of Nymeria as a merger of Cersei and Brienne, with Arya thrown in the mix.
Cersei’s Wine Goblet,
Me too
For me, what’s most exciting about this news is that it increases the likelihood that there are some “original” series ideas among the successor series that HBO is developing. With five separate pilot scripts being considered and Martin’s confirmation that two of the most commonly theorized ideas for a spinoff – Dunk & Egg and Robert’s Rebellion – aren’t among them, the number of known historical events that fans have theorized could form the basis for a series have been reduced. That closes a few doors, but opens others.
Yes, the other most popular possibilities (The Dance of Dragons, the Age of Heroes, the Blackfyre Rebellion, etc.) are still viable options – I’d be surprised if at least one or two of those major events weren’t among the concepts being developed. But maybe one of the writers had an idea for a series that isn’t based on a story that Martin has already written – instead, they might be working off a concept grounded in the history that Martin has already established in the main series and supplemental material, but hasn’t fleshed out all of the characters and details for until now. Say, a series set in Braavos or Asshai or Valyria before the Doom, starring characters who have only been mentioned briefly in the main series, or not at all.
In that case, Martin’s collaborative role with that writer might consist of providing him or her with the necessary background and historical information as they consider how to expand the idea into a new, fully fledged story. It would be a risk, but venturing away from the most commonly cited historical touchstones that could fling the doors wide open and result in a story that people never knew they wanted before.
I do hope that Bryan Cogman is the fifth writer, assuming that he is still game for more adventures in this particular world. He’s a great writer who’s passionate about the material, and he’s been a loyal lieutenant on Game of Thrones, which will have given him a detailed understanding about what it takes to manage a production of this size. He’d be perfect.
Glad Robert’s Rebellion has been ruled out. Great story. But there’s now no suspense. Nothing to “hook” folks.
Am a fan of Dunk and Egg, but I kinda thought it wouldn’t be one of those since GRRM has said he plans on writing more novellas for that series.
Guessing they’re gonna do something with Valyria…ambitious.
I just hope we don’t get all stories of Essos. Slavery is crappy. The end. Blah.
I’d love to see like an anthology series where it stays no more than a season to maybe two seasons in one place, then moves on. Though that may be a crap idea, too. Haha.
In other news: where’s the damn trailer? Had convinced myself one was dropping this weekend.
Glancing back through the previous posts on prospective spinoffs/successor series, I stumbled across HunterMac87‘s idea for a series centered around Gerion Lannister as he travels east on his quest to find the lost Valyrian steel sword of Brightroar. As an original concept for a new series, I actually like that idea quite the bit. A quest-based mission would provide a strong but flexible narrative spine for the series, and open up the possibility of visiting locations that we’ve only seen briefly, or not at all.
Gerion would be a new character for most viewers, but he would have the famous Lannister name – a direct link to Game of Thrones that HBO could use to sell the wider audience on the series (perhaps Tywin, Jaime, Cersei, Tyrion, and the other Lannisters could make cameos in the pilot). Best of all, his fate is unknown – Martin presumably knows what ultimately happened to him, but as far as I know that information hasn’t been released anywhere, so the series could be open-ended. It wouldn’t be a seven-season epic, but perhaps they could get two or three seasons out of such a concept.
Who knows if a Gerion-based spinoff like the one HunterMac87 proposed is under consideration – the odds are probably against it. But regardless, that type of spinoff idea is one that I hope HBO is willing to consider – a smaller-scale a narrative that could nevertheless be epic in its own way. I’d be interested to see a story that’s based in Martin’s history but which doesn’t have a fixed historical endpoint already recorded, leaving the writers room to explore and follow their creative muses wherever they may lead.
Since he said he didn’t want to cover any ground already known, or in Westeros, maybe something set in old Valyria? Maybe the events leading up to the Doom?
The most interesting thing about that post is that he mentions Fire & Blood as one of the things he’s currently juggling, along with WOW…It’s news to me that he’s actively working on Fire & Blood, and I reckon it’s news to everyone else! ( except his editor, probably)
Hodors Bastard,
Haha yes yes the sister wives. Incidentally, this is exactly why I think Jaime and Cersei are in the running to be the next Targ reveal.
Brian,
I am seriously starting to worry about him ever finishing his books. It’s blasphemous to say but I am getting concerned.
Also I agree with everyone here! Valyria would be really cool to explore. Weren’t there tons of families besides the Targaryens there?
GRRM wants to write “10 more” books of Dunk and Egg?!?
50 years until we know what happened at Summerhall… Yeah, why not…
Arthur,
D&D are staying on as exec producers
Would love Cogman to be involved!
In terms of what the prequel will be, I am open to anything and I know I am going to love it! 🙂
GRRM mentioned he is working on “FIRE AND BLOOD ”
Can someone tell me what that is?
I know GRRM says no Robert’s Rebellion… But I think this doesn’t rule out a prequil set in the court of Young King Aerys given people like Ned, Robert, Rhaegar are only babies/young children. Aerys and Tywin’s relationship is super interesting, with the love/lust triangle involving Johanna, Aerys unhappy marriage, and increasing arrogance, cruelty, and paranoia…
However I’m not sure how it should end, exactly – where would the arc be for the series, if it doesn’t ultimately end with Aerys being overthrown? I think that there would have to be a central character who is not Tywin or Aerys for it to work. Who that would be, I’m not sure.
It’s GRRM “History of the Targaryens”; supposedly a chronological history of the family, presumably starting before The Doom…
I think it’s news that he’s actively working on it…I thought it was merely one of his numerous unrealized future projects at this point…but apparently not.
I would bet that the story that is not set in Westeros would be about Valyria, and the Doom.
I am glad that Robert’s Rebellion is not on the list, he is exactly right that we do not need to see it again when so much of it is being told through the current series, and now in vivid detail in Bran’s flashbacks.
I think we could reasonably see the early years of the conquest, through Maegor and Jahaerys. And then, of course, the Dance of Dragons.
Yup, from GRRM’s statement, I thought it was pretty obvious that the fifth writer was Cogman. So happy about that!
Fun to see recent book readers turn these threads into statements on GRRM’s writing habits, forgetting who brought them this great story in the first place.
I hope they’re doing aegon’s conquest or even the blackfyre rebellion!!!
George,
oh that’s amazing
thank you!
I imagine Aegon’s Conquest has to be one of them, especially with the elimination of Robert’s Rebellion.
I’d like to see more about the Targaryens, dragons, and old Valyria.
I agee…. a young Tywin, Tywin’s Father and Casterly Rock could be part of the story… Also Tywin’s rise to power and Rains of Castamere story and the family that was destroyed. Also Ned’s Starks’s Father and the history of Winterfell could be part of the story. Maybe some Dorne history (done much better) could be part of the story. The new show story ends when A song of Ice and Fire begins.
Greyjoy Rebellion!!!
Aegons Conquest is still in the running. That’s my choice but Blackfyre thing seems like it could be good. After reading George say they could be set somewhere other than Westeros I think it would be cool to see how Essos became what it is. The rise of the Valyrians the doom and so on.
It may not be as big as GoT, probably a lot smaller, but there is little to nothing known about what’s west of Westeros and what’s east and south of Essos. They could do a series of someone (probably a group of people) exploring one of those areas. Since there is not alot known, the characters would have to die or end up staying where-ever they go to. But that’s pre GoT. After GoT, people might even be able to return. But I prefer we can see a different world without Westeros and Essos knowing about it.
It could be shows about places : one for King’s Landing, one for the Watch, one for Essos (Braavos ?), and an other (Winterfell, or Iron Islands or Dorne ?).
The Shows could be connected each other if the period is well chosen.
It really comes down to budget and what HBO is going to give it. Then we’ll have a better idea.
Also timing. Will this air a year or more after GoT ends?
I’m hoping for Dance of the Dragons.
Because Rhaenyra has an army.
gfsgf,
West of Westeros… Brandon “the Shipwright” Stark sailed west with a fleet… and never returned. Imagine a new continent where his and his crews’ descendants still live!
The worry is that their exploration might’ve led to deliberate or accidental genocide of the original inhabitants… Westerosi diseases, bloody wars, taking the native’s land, stealing their resources, crushing their culture and replacing it with Westerosi culture… even enslavement… (I mean, just look at what happened when the Europeans started exploring the Americas.) There wouldn’t be colonialism, though, since nobody has ever come back from “west of Westeros”.
I also like the idea of Gerion Lannister’s adventures. Maybe the successor series will be something taking place in Planetos, with some links to the GoT show and GRRM’s published works, but more of a standalone thing.
Bryan Cogman was the name I immediately thought when GRRM wrote the fifth writer is a huge fan and knowledgeable about Martinverse. He’s also a professional. Please, no hardcore fan bloggers or the like writing for TV, they wouldn’t see the wood for the trees, lol!
I’m actually “glad” that D&E and RR are not being considered for the time being. Those two were also my least desired of our main ideas. His reason regarding D&E makes sense but I also don’t feel much excitement for an adaption of that. His reasoning against Robert’s Rebellion are also exactly what my thoughts have been. The events of it are already a big part of GoT and tie directly into it. I mentioned it before but one big thing I personally think it lacks is the magical fantasy element that separates that world from movies and shows of our world’s historical sword & board tales that are done so much.
Saying the Age of Heroes is too broad as it lasted thousands of years. I believe that suggestion is usually referring to the events surrounding and immediately leading to the Battle for the Dawn and up to/through the building of the Wall. This is probably my favorite option. Some may think it’s too far removed from the period and familiarity of GoT and its Houses. I disagree as there are many things that can be connected either visually or that have been mentioned on the show in stories; Brandon Stark, Night’s Watch, CotF, giants, the Wall and the spells they infused it with, the last hero, Azor Ahai, Others/WW, ice spiders, Garth Greenhand, etc. It would basically show us exactly how they got the point of doing something so drastic as building the massive wall that has been a big part of GoT. I don’t believe this or any of the ideas would be “too expensive,” the term many have been using to eliminate suggestions, if HBO is willing to go in big as they have with GoT. If there are now five separate script ideas I have to assume that this is one of them.
My preferred list would be:
1. (above) Battle for the Dawn period
2. Dance of the Dragons
3. Aegon’s Conquest
4. Blackfyre Rebellion(s)
5/X. *
*
I’d need to hear a really good idea for a series set outside of Westeros to prefer it over one of those other four. Nothing so far does that for me
Other smaller scope ideas for a series within Westeros don’t sound too exciting either. I would think HBO would prefer to do something just as ambitious as GoT. It seems silly to have their #1 drama end but just decide to go cheap/timid/half-assed into another drama in the same world that has the potential to immediately step into GoT’s spot.
(It bugs me when I read bitter comments like this is “just a cash grab” by HBO. Sure, GoT makes them money, but it’s a popular show with a worldwide following. The people/fans want more of the show and HBO wants more of it, but they can’t continue this particular story because it will reach a conclusion. Why should we and they not want to see another story from this world be adapted? What does it hurt to try it? If it’s done with all of the same values we could have another amazing show to watch.)
Rygar,
Ugh I really don’t like the greyjoys
Balon and euron are horrible people lol
Theon too actually haha
I actually think not including RR as a spinoff is a big marketing mistake. Not sure I agree with GMs reasoning either. Books are adapted, even after you know the ending. RR’s plot line has hardly been adapted in GoT. It is mentioned, but not shown. Unless they add more flashbacks in the next 13 episodes with far more detail, then I would think there is enough material within RR to have an entertaining season. Many of the characters are already established, so the existing stay at home fan base (not the nerd community like us) can relate to it. Honestly, I read the the first few books so long ago, I have very little recollection of the spinoffs you are all suggesting and none seem appealing. And I have actually enjoyed some of the books and the histories therein. I just think creating all new characters and stories/plot is a far harder sell then adapting something already established.
I was being daffy.
Dee Stark,
The entire island of Pyke can sink into the narrow sea. Other than a couple parts in the Victorian chapters, I can find NO interest in anything Greyjoy related. I know Euron’s gonna be around until at least a few episodes into season 8, so that’ll be annoying AF.
Please, HBO, nothing in depth about the Greyjoy family.
Rygar,
The characters may be established, however, all of them would have to be recast. Even if the timeline isn’t too far from the current events of GoT, I doubt any of the popular actors are going to reprise their roles. You’re not going to see Charles Dance as Tywin, Nikolaj as Jaime, Peter as Tyrion, Lena as Cercei, etc., etc., etc. You’re going to get a whole new cast playing well-established characters, which is typically one of the areas where I feel prequels/reboots/etc tend to go wrong.
I’m not saying new actors can’t be good, but you’re not going to find any familiarity in it. Personally, I think a lot of the characters in GoT are so popular because of the actors/actresses playing them.
Rygar,
Robert’s Rebellion wouldn’t survive because of all the recasting that would have to be done. Think about that…
I’m hoping it’s Bryan Cogman! And that one of the prequels in discussion is the Dance of the Dragons!
Extra Stark, Please,
GM makes zero mention of recasting as being the reason they canned it. Here, let me think about it, nope, not sure why recasting would be difficult. If you think it would be too hard to get people to look/feel/mimic their GoT characters, well I disagree. That’s part of the casting process when you want someone to fit into the character description. And if by chance they can’t, well Nina Gold recast quite a few characters that looked nothing like their previous counterpart. Didn’t matter much to the story.
Dee Stark,
Agreed! The Iron Islanders and their culture of rape and pillage are by far my least favorites among the Westerosi. (At least the Vikings were great farmers, and there were historical reasons for the rise of their seafaring and warrior culture.) Asha/Yara is the only Greyjoy for whom I have the least modicum of respect.
Mr Derp,
This I can understand. People like the actors as much as the characters and sometimes even more so. Loved Iwan as Ramsay, hated Ramsay. Loved Esme as Ros, hated Ros.
Sorry, edit, loved Esme’s body, hated Ros.
The Dragon Demands,
I seldom agree with you but the Dance of the Dragons is also my favourite pick if the successor show is one of the known stories. For show-only watchers it’s barely been hinted, so “new”, they won’t know the outcome (unlike Robert’s Rebellion – I’m with GRRM on this).
It’s got court intrigue, houses vying for position, sibling rivarly, highly-charged personal relationships, betrayals, passion… and dragons.
Many have dismissed Dance of Dragons because of budget (so many dragons, dragon battles… not to mention all those platinum blond wigs, lol!) but it might not be all that insurmountable.
Firstly, the Targs aren’t riding their dragons all the time. Lots of the drama comes from court intrigues and interpersonal relationships. Some of the most dramatic scenes don’t involve dragons (think Haelena and her children), and not all known dragon fights have to be shown, at least not up close and in great detail. (I’m one of those GoT watchers who isn’t all that interested in “epic” battle scenes. I don’t mind them but it’s the character drama that draws me in.) Sure, there would be ultra-fans demanding lots of dragons all the time, but I think the casual viewership (the vast majority) wouldn’t really notice if dragons weren’t present all the time, just as long as they were in a few, crucial scenes. Clever writers can write around the dragons without it seeming so.
Secondly, CGI technology has developed in leaps and bounds in the past 10 years and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t continue to do so. What was difficult and expensive ten or five years ago is “run of the mill” now. Obviously still a big budget line but not prohibitively expensive. Especially because the CGI people wouldn’t have to start from scratch to create Martinverse dragons, that work has already been done (as has a lot of CGI work on locations etc.)
The Dance is a Targ thing, but to you all Targ/Dany haters out there: it takes a Stark to sort out the aftermath. 😀
I am gonna miss all the shit Bryan Cogman would have stirred if he wrote the Lyanna/Rhaegar “rape” scene. 🙂
Oh well. I am over it.
If they do D of D or the Conquest, the budget will be significantly higher per episode than GoT. They’ll have to chuck money at them or it’s not worth it.
My personal feeling is they’ll try a non-Westeros series to really make it distinct from from GoT.
Rygar,
Oh hahahaa
Well I got a discussion going 🙂 hahaha
I simply don’t need RR because there’s no mystery in it and little fantastical about it. It’s just too close to the era of GoT. Not only that but most of it is ‘standard’ sword fighting battles within the central area of Westeros. Sure, BotB was super cool ONCE (as well as an unknown outcome), but they can’t do that kind of scale all the time and even if they did it gets old for many people.
One can say that readers knew what was going to happen for much of GoT. While that’s true for a while we still don’t know how it ends. The scope is also far greater and there was/is so much more that was really desirable to be seen adapted. It’s very easy to imagine a regular real style battle of swords and arrows. I personally think other options for a series can be much more exciting.
Extra Stark, Please,
hahaha agreed. I hope he doesn’t make it out of season 7!
Wolfish,
100% agree!!!!
All five prequels center around different parts of the Blackwood/Bracken feud… okay, probably not.
Uhm, sorry to be a pedant, but the Iron Islands are on the other side of the continent of Westeros from the Narrow Sea, on the west side, in the Sunset Sea. So let’s hope they sink into the Sunset Sea.
Other than my pedantry burst, I heartily agree. The macho reaving, raping, pillaging Old Way Ironborn culture is my least favourite Westerosi culture. In the books, Theon’s older sister Asha (Yara in the show) is just about the only Ironborn leader with a realistic and sensible and reasonable plan (the books also have their maternal uncle the Reader). All the others are either religious zealots or rawl rawl rawl, reave, rape, pillage morons. Easy pickings for a cunning madman like Euron Greyjoy.
Theon’s is a story apart, and I expect it to conclude in S7… OK, maybe S8. But he’s not an old way reaving, raping and pillaging Ironborn. He was fostered by Ned Stark for ten years and absorbed much of that ethos and culture – one of his problems when he returned home to the Iron Islands, and then tried to fit back in and overcompensated by taking Winterfell and lording it over the Starks (8-9 yr old Bran and 4-5 yr old Rickon) until his downfall. Ouch.
Cersei’s Wine Goblet,
Bryan Cogman was my first thought too. Brynden BFish – great guy, not sure about his television credentials though 😉
Morgoth,
that would be an interesting pick too. He’s finished his the dagger and the coin series, would be an interesting pick.
Really pleased to read this news!
I wasn’t very keen for the prospect of a RR show (although I would have loved it). GRRM has created such a vast, detailed world, why limit the story to one we’ve heard before?
For all we know, he may be planning on something we haven’t been introduced to yet.
I’d love to see The Doom, but would be far more interested to learn how Stygai and Asshai came to be the way they are.
Considering the lessons learned from GOT, it’s not out of the question that the majority of the story is told through new series, instead of established “history”.
So he still thinks he will finished the Dunk & Egg stories? How optimistic. He is, I think, 65 years old and thinks he will write more eight or ten stories about Dunk & Egg. Hahahahahahahahaha and he still have the ASOIAF stuff to finish, if he does.
Rygar,
Because people LOVE Lena Headley’s Cersei–Dinklage’s Tyrion–Nikolaj’s Jamie–Charles Dance’s Tywin. Even with less than a season on the show–Mark Addy’s Robert. Many others. It would be impossible to make that show work as well as GoT has on the tube. Those actors have MADE the characters they play their own. That’s another reason why it won’t work.
Glad Robert’s Rebellion isn’t happening.
talvikorppi,
The Iron Islands can fall into ALL the seas since every bit of it SUUUUUCKS.
I tried to like the Iron Islanders’s storylines. But I just couldn’t get past how laborious it was for EVERY chapter–excluding a few scenes.
Death to Euron! Though I know it’s gonna take a while.
Why is that? I don’t recall but I’m going to assume you’re a reader then that only has interest in the GoT/ASoIaF characters. As a reader myself I can see how the thought can cross the mind. I certainly would like as much of specific characters as I can get. However, when their story is done it’s done. I have to believe that I can grow to love other great characters in a new story. There are many fans that haven’t read the books but they’ve grown to love the GoT characters just like the rest of us.
I am disapponited that RR wont be considered.. I have always thought that a prequel starting around the time of the
“Defiance of Duskendale” including alittle about the “Kingswood Brotherhood” , RR, and concluding around the time of
the “Greyjoy Rebellion” , maybe later – would make a great TV series.
I have never understood GRRMs reluctance to expand RR. There have been many historical novels, movies, etc that were great
dispite everyone knowing many of the facts of the story.
Extra Stark, Please,
You are SO right. That’s why none of the prequel TV shows and movies were never successful or popular. I mean there is only one Christopher Reeve, screw Dean Cain for playing young Superman. There is only one Michael Keaton, screw David Mazouz playing young Batman. There is only one Sir Alec Guinness, screw Ewan McGregor’s Obi Wan. Not trying to be a sarcastic dick, well, I am because that’s just me for those that know me here, but I just wanted to show where recasts can work, particularly when you do a prequel.
The decision to not adapt RR has nothing to do with recasting (from what we know so far). Like GM says, it’s has to do with having very little conflict resolution since we already know where the events will lead. Which I say isn’t a strong argument against it, unless you want to appease the negative critics and the NY Times, then the show will surely fail. However, the fan base is already there, and we all flip off those critics anyway. Saying that someone wont enjoy a new show based on younger existing characters because the actor playing young Jaime isn’t Nikolaj undermines the intelligence of this audience.
Maybe it’s just me who wants to watch more of Ned and Robert and see Bessie’s amazing tits. I am disappointed that is not happening.
I assume whatever they do will have plenty of nudity to appease you. 😛 Speaking of which… South Park did that wiener song about GoT suggesting that the show contained a lot of male nudity… I think American Gods is quickly working to surpass it. I believe they’ve had more guy junk in the three episodes so far than female nudity. They even had erect stuff which you don’t usually see even on premium cable dramas. *sigh* I don’t need to see that, but I suppose some enjoy it. 🙂
You had me at guy junk. *bites lip*
Clob,
Because I am not fascinated with the world GRRM has built. The draw has never been the world. At this point, I find the world exhausting and a bit dull. It’s the characters that hold me.
I’m feeling that! I want to see thoros with his flaming sword first over the breach!
Bring on Asshai! I’d love to see the rise of Rhlor. If not Melisandre’s story, then a similar one of a slave who becomes a priestess….
talvikorppi,
Also, they wouldn’t have most of the other expenses that GoT has, such as White Walkers and wights etc. They could have expensive dragon action 2-3 times a season, which would be enough. All battles don’t need to be shown, like they weren’t in the earlier seasons of GoT.
The first season could cover a time period from Rhaenyra’s childhood to the point where they start to separate into blacks and greens. There would need to be a few time jumps, but it would give nice background and reasons why the situation escalated into a war.
The rest of the events could be just divided so that there would be something significant happening at the end of each season, and maybe once or twice in the middle. The rest of the seasons would be filled with plotting, relationships etc. that gives the characters motivations and depth. I could see the show going for 3-4 seasons.
I could rally behind you on this (not in a pervy way). The King of the Hot Pink Lipstick. THE KING OF THE HOT PINK LIPSTICK!!!!!
Rygar,
Yeah, George Clooney was a great Batman. Brandon Roth was a great Superman. We’re on our 3rd big screen Spider-Man. For F’s sake…👎🏻
NOWHERE did I say GRRM said that’s why it wouldn’t work. My thoughts are mine alone. Geez, Louise, read, please.
It has nothing to do with an audience being unintelligent, it comes from audience bias. I never thought anyone would be able to play The Joker as well as Nicholson, then Ledger came along and MADE the part. Let us not speak of Leto’s performance in Suicide Squad. WHO could ever be the Joker? Good luck. They’ll need it.
The guy who played younger Ned in the Tower of Joy flashbacks KILLED it. But, again, we only have 8-and-a-half episodes of Sean Bean’s Ned. We have 6 seasons of the other actors playing their respective characters. You don’t think fans would be like “well I just don’t like that Tyrion” or whoever? Charles Dance is a better Tywin than the Tywin in the novels. The guy who plays Jorah looks nothing like the novel Jorah, but damn if he isn’t perfect. 🤷🏻♂️
Personal bias, dude. Lack of compelling story. We, the intelligent audience, already know a lot about RR and are sure to have more knowledge of RR in the coming seasons. That’s my biggest qualm with RR being a series. There will be no intrigue by the time GoT is done. And an all new cast playing well done characters by the current cast will only hurt any chance it has of succeeding.
Don’t worry, it’s HBO. There will be plenty of nudity that serves no purpose to the actual plot lines.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sharpen my sword and pray by the Godswood.
No Robert’s Rebellion is the worst news I have heard in a long time. Not everyone reads his books and I will probably be dead before he finishes it. I am writing a letter of complaint to HBO. I encourage everyone who would like to see HBO dramatize Robert’s Rebellion do the same.
Shame on you. Clooney’s nipples were highly important to the plot. The plot in my pants, that is.
Why thank you, but I’d be a Queen and I prefer minions to a king. Minions do my bidding 😉 All must wear the LIPSTICK.
Dance of the Dragons, Aegon’s Conquest, Doom of Valyria, the Dothraki Wars, and maybe the first Long Night would all be interesting options now that the two most popular ones are taken off the list. I think Dance of the Dragons would be the best while the original Long Night would play off nicely with the end of GoT.
The fat man will drop dead from old age before he finishes any of the projects he’s got going, including ASOIAF.
MeeraReed,
I’m with you! There are other continents in his world to explore, other cultures and people so I’m excited to see what will get picked.
Extra Stark, Please,
Book readers know a lot about Robert’s Rebellion. Casual show watchers really don’t. There are only two short seasons left, and I highly doubt we’re going to get much more coverage of past events. They will be pretty busy dealing with Dany’s invasion, fallout from Cersei’s actions, and the White Walker threat. There is a lot they could do with that story, and it seems like a big part of the fan base agrees. I think HBO is missing out by not considering it.
Not sure how I feel about all this TBH. If GRRM is so heavily involved in all projects, whilst thats great news from a creative perspective, it can only mean that we’ll never ever get ADOS.
Given no Dunk and Egg we can also probably rule out The War of the Nine Penny Kings as GRRM was asked about these a couple of months back and his answer seemed to imply neither was being worked on.
I can’t see them doing The Long Night/War of the Dawn as I don’t think they would want another show dealing with a Human/White Walker conflict.
Since it’s been suggested that we may be getting some non Westeros stories I think it’s quite likely one script will be The Doom of Valyria with Nymeria’s tale also a possibility.
The Dance of Dragons is almost certainly being developed as is the Conquest.
I do wonder if they might end up doing a Targ anthology series based on the various concepts under development with Season 1 being the Conquest, Season 2 the Dance and Season 3 Blackfyre etc.
awol,
I had the exact same thought about a Varys spin-off.
It could start off with him being cut and tossed out of the sorcerers back door. Then him living on the streets of Lys selling his back door!
After that he could learn some of the tricks of the trade and get some contacts like Illyrio. I don’t have a clue were it would go next.
These are my top 5 Spinoff (successor shows) possibilities:
1. Valyria (including the Fall of Valyria)
2. Aegon’s Conquest
3. Princess Nymeria & her 10 thousand ships ( basically the Rhoynar)
4. Dance of the Dragons (the Targaryen Civil War)
5. The Long Night ( basically when last the White Walkers last came with their extreme winter)
I think other candidates could be centered around 1. The Children of the Forest VS The First Men (basically the Eastern invaders vs the indigenous Westerosi) 2. The Andals vs the First Men (basically the new invaders vs the old invaders) and 3. The Age of Heroes(period of peace between the First Men and the Children of the Forest). It will be great to get a series based on other worlds too, probably some of the free cities like Braavos and Volantis or far away Yi Ti or Melisandre’s hometown Asshai-by-the-Shadow.
Thank the gods RR is off the table. With everything thats been put out already, RR could really only be a 1 season show and would rely on them being able to sign the actors they already used for flashback scenes. Dunk and Egg would be a good mini seires, but it is t they same as GoT. Way more light hearted and still not a lot of material.
Dance of the Dragons is the best choice. Its got all the political stuff going on between the two waring Targ factions. Its got all the major houses choosing sides. It has battles. It has dragons, but not overkill like the Conquest would. And its also something that could be multiple seasons.
The Blackfyre rebellions are also a good choice. You start with Aegon IV to establish the relationships with him, Daeron, Daemon and the rest of the Great Bastards. Season 2 could end with Bloodraven killing Daemon and his 2 eldest sons and Bittersteel fleeing across the narrow sea. The next few seasons could focus on Bittersteel forming the Golden Company and the rest of the Blackfyre rebellions ending in the ear of the Nine Penny Kings.
Umar Wynter,
Literally my list as well. Yes. At least ONE of these has to be the 4-5 spinoff ideas.
Brian,
I agree – but at this stage I think even he knows its not going to be finished. Hope Im wrong, but thats what it feels like
Aryamad,
The more I read these posts, the more I am apt to agree with this. The poem that Jorah and Tyrion recite is so powerful, that we must find out more. And well, dragons. Targaryens, with a bit of Stark and other houses, perhaps
gfsgf,
Perhaps people fleeing the destruction of Westerous, and discovering new land across the seas…
The new unexplored story could be Arya taking a ship West of Westeros and seeing what see finds…
King Jon and Sansa could make cameo visits to the new land
Clob,
I don’t think this has anything to do with reading the books, ive read them all, and at this point when I reread them,it will be the actors who portray the characters that I will see in that film I invent in my head. Different actors would just be offputting to me. Now, if they are putting the characters in perhaps another universe (sort of how Star Trek rebooted) it could be done. then you’d have all sorts of interesting bits -what if Ned declined Roberts offer. what if Rob married who he was supposed to. What if Bran didn’t get pushed off the tower….
Blade Runner 2049,out soon!
I still wish they continue Game of Thrones for one or two more seasons instead of making spin-offs. So, the story wouldn’t be rushed and we get better characterization and plot (ie: the Martells and the whole Dorne subplot). I am happy though that we get to see more ASOIAF works after Game of Thrones ends.
Finally! I’ve been saying this for ages. So glad that’s out of the way.
Babeko,
Except it’s not going to be rushed when they said from the beginning they are only going to do 7 seasons,so if anything you are going to get one season more,and it doesn’t matter how many time they would have spent on the Dorne and Iron Islands plotlines because they suck in the books as well,they saved us from the sucktitude by only showing a little bit of it,i still have mental scars from reading the chapters from AFFC and ADWD .
HotPinkLipstick,
Given how this industry works in the modern era, a sequel was never going to logically happen. Without any source material to draw from it would have to be ALL-original on every level, which would be a huge financial risk for HBO coming off of GoT. A poorly received sequel would be much more damaging than a prequel in this case as it’s a much less safe proposition–it’s precisely the sort of thing that could kill the golden cow in the eyes of both the fandom and the studio, before they can actually milk the license for all it’s worth. HBO wants something that they can be confident will replicate the success of GoT in every way possible, and when you’re a studio with the rights to an epic fantasy series, there’s always so much lore and history at your disposal that–rightly or wrongly–there’s simply no creative need to work from all-new material and take a wholly unnecessary risk when you don’t have to. It makes zero sense from a business perspective.
Not to mention that if these specific characters are the only draw for you (as compelling as they are), you’d be out of luck even if you got a sequel, since the cast would assuredly be all-new as the focus would be on a new generation of characters. After eight seasons, you’re not going to see contract extensions of the same actors after GoT to play the same characters on a show that is not GoT. In addition, not all major and even main characters are guaranteed to survive until the end of GoT anyhow, because no, we the fans do NOT know the ending and we do NOT know for a given fact that anyone is “safe”–no matter how much some of us might have convinced ourselves. Until or unless Season 8 leaks get out, no one knows jack about the ending yet. However, one thing we all should know by know that this is not a fairy tale story and that all the people at the top have made it abundantly clear in MANY interviews over the years that it’s going to be bittersweet and not a traditionally “happy” ending.
I’m pretty sure that the fifth author still unknown is Neil Gaiman (Sandman, American Gods). He’s a good friend of GRRM, loves ASOIAF and certainly deserves the title of “terrific writer”.
Marika,
I think he’s pretty busy with his own books being adapted in a show,which i hear is quite good and may be getting more seasons and also unlike Martin he’s way more involved in his own adaptations,i remember he was heavily involved in that one movie that was based on one of his books that had Robert De Niro,Claire Danes and the guy who plays Daredevil in the Netflix series,i can’t remember the name of the movie though,i think it’s Star something
Super Northener,
I think it could actually be pretty awesome as a show. Just enough of what we know to hook us, but pretty much entirely in Essos which we aren’t so familiar with.
As for what happens next we do have intriguing descriptions in the books of what Illyrio and Varys used to do. They basically stole stuff then people would hire them to find the stuff they had stolen. It could be pretty funny, but then wrapped up with the building of an empire and eventual cetrality to the global spy game. So many sub plots of Essosi and Westerosi politics could then be worked in, all from the imagination of the writers because there are no books for that.
I think Blackfyre rebellion will work really well on TV. Lots of possibilities to explore different characters, politics etc. Also, there are many characters that are grey, so not having a clearcut hero/villain to root for will be interesting and will follow the same recipe that made GOT so popular.
Dee Stark,
I’ll take it on faith from the majority of the community that Alfie Allen has done a great job as Theon Greyjoy, but Theon’s [Show]character and Alfie Allen’s portrayal just don’t interest me. Nothing about the Greyjoys or Iron Islands is particularly engrossing for me.
My amateur fanboy test is:
If I segregated out and spliced together all scenes of a particular storyline, would it be something I’d enjoy watching and rewatching?
The Hound & Arya pass the test with flying colors. Jon Snow & Night’s Watch/Wildlings etc pass the test. Tyrion & Bronn, Jaime & Brienne/Cersei do too.
On the other hand, nothing about the High Sparrow/Faith Militant; Sansa/LF, or Iron Islands subplots make me want to watch them again.
Ten Bears,
I’ll go ahead and agree with you here. Add the Sons of the Harpies to the “could do without” pile. Also all the Theon/Ramsey torture scenes in Season 3.
The Sand snakes too, but they’ve been kicked while their down so often that I don’t want to add to it anymore.
Ten Bears,
I think I just wrote that post! That’s what I was talking about the other week when I said I’m usually on the same page with you. 🙂
I agree on all of that. Every time an Arya and the Hound scene came on I think I yelled “YES!” in my head.
I always skip High Sparrow scenes now on subsequent watches as well as most of the Sansa/LF scenes. When those two come on in a scene on first airing I sigh “no” in my head. Greyjoys? Meh! I could have done without Euron’s inclusion at all. (If that stupid Dragonbinder is introduced I’ll be po’d.)
Ten Bears,
Mr Derp,
Your likes and dislikes of certain storylines are similar to mine. I’d add the Oberyn storyline in the “like” pile and I was glad that it exists on You Tube (without the brother scenes, I wondered whether it was You Tube policy or the choice of the person who had edited it), I watched it with great pleasure. Another storyline very dear to me (also on You Tube) is Jaime&Brienne.
Yeah, those kind of go without saying. 😉
I get a little bitter when I see that there’s going to be even more Dorne characters inclusion in the next book. He might have finished the series by now if he hadn’t started writing so much about them. At least that’s what I’m going to blame for him not finishing yet.
One of my favorite pairings will always be Arya and Tywin in the second half of Season 2. The scenes with those two are just amazing.
I enjoy Brienne and Pod too, but I wish they gave Pod a little more to do.
Clob,
Yup, pretty much every new character/plot/bad guy/whatever that was introduced in Season 5 I didn’t like. To me, Season 5 was saved by Hardhome, Dance of Dragons, and Mother’s Mercy. I really could do without episodes 1-7 in Season 5, though it’s certainly not all bad.
I didn’t enjoy Ramsey as the main bad guy in the show, never found the Harpies interesting at all, and same goes for the Faith Militant. I just wanted them all to go away the moment they were introduced.
Hmmm, hard to tell which season is my least favorite isn’t it?
Biggest Balls scene award goes to:
Oberyn Martell – offering the most powerful man in Westeros a seat on a bed where he was just fucking 3 women and a man at once.
Tywin politely declines. 🙂
Lonin,
“Everyone knowing many facts of the story.”
GRRM created an entire WORLD! With thousands of years of history. Why would he want to tell the same story again? What would be the point of creating the rest of the world?
Despite what others have said, even casual viewers know what happened during RR. What’s the point of tuning in to a story one already knows? Especially when so much money is involved.
Lonin,
I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, this has a simple answer…
Real history vs. fake history.
I’m just not interested in spending lots of time delving into fake history.
An interesting idea for a non- Westeros centered show with multi-season potential and lots of unknowns could be a story about Valyria. It could be the years leading up to the Doom. Not sure how much of it will be revealed in WOW or DOS but it seems like a place where fans have little info now and there’s plenty of room to build a story without stretching events that probably wouldn’t make sense to be a series or even a whole 10 hr season.
Mr Derp,
For me season 2 was way worse,there was not one great episode besides Blackwater,all the other episodes were either good,meh or just plain boring(Prince of Winterfell rings a bell?). Tyrion’s storyline and Theon’s were the standouts and the bits with Arya and Tywin were great,other than that though,yawn .
Genghis Khan,
Yea, I think favorite seasons simply comes down to which characters you like, and whether or not their arcs that particular season were enjoyable or not. To me, Tyrion is definitely one of my favorites, and I feel like he was at his best during seasons 2, 3, and 4.
As far as season 2, Blackwater is definitely the best out of the bunch, but I actually really enjoyed much of the second half of season 2. Episode 5 through 10 were good for me, although I hate having to watch Theon destroy Winterfell. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I really like episode 10, Valar Morghulis
Marika,
That’s Gaiman on his own American Gods adaptation to tv screen. I don’t think he’d be scripting Martin’s work when he doesn’t script his own series. Especially when you see how protective he is of the source.
Some think he’s co-authoring ASoIaF. Martin had a few words to say about that on his NaB 😀 don’t believe the stupid rumors.
Marika,
Funny, that was my very first thought. And then I thought, “OMG, you’re dreaming.”
Clob,
At least we don’t have to deal with Victarion, too!
Azor Asshai,
I wasn’t arguing the viability. I was stating my interest level.
Genghis Khan,
Jaqen’s scenes were great too. Tom and Maisie have great chemistry .Their acting and chemistry “saved” the FM arc.
Tyrion’s scenes are the only reason people don’t place season 2 last. Tyrion’s story line was perfect !!! Peter was brilliant!!!
Oh, it looks like any new series are going to have some competition. I just saw that Netflix is developing a new series based on The Witcher saga. I haven’t read any of the books but I know the rpg games are popular. I’ve played quite a bit of the first and a bit of the third. It seems like something that could make a good series if done properly. I am or would be more excited for TWoT series but this is interesting as well.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/2017/05/17/witcher-saga-has-netflix-found-game-thrones/
For the fun of it I was reading some Witcher forums and reddit to see thoughts on it… I hadn’t thought about that not only are these shows genre competition but also competition in getting established actors if desired. There are already threads of suggestions for characters like we’ve always done for GoT and there are many names we’ve always considered.
I was gonna write something very similar, totally on board with new, original ideas that I’m sure the writers pitched.
Regarding the fifth writer could very well be Ty Franck, although I think it will be Cogman
I’ve read all the books and they are fantastic. Easier to adapt too, as they are shorter and more focused.
What forums are you checking? Would like to see those fan-castings
I had browsed through the Witcher boards on Steam, random ones quickly from Googling ‘The Witcher forum’ and a reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/witcher/comments/6bo3g1/with_the_witcher_series_confirmed_who_youd_like/
Thanks…I found out through Neogaf myself but there the discussion is.more game-centric
I was watching a S1 commentary that Bryan Cogman and Kit were doing in Ep4 I believe. I never knew Cogman just started out as D&D assistant until in post-production when he didn’t have much to do, David Benioff approached him and asked him if he wanted to take a crack at writing EP4, so he did even though he’d never written a script before. He said how much he enjoyed, even though D&D helped him write a few scenes, helped him learn the technique of writing it like a script instead of a novel, added in their own scenes but gave him complete credit on the episode by only having his name as the writer. I thought that was really sweet, I’m grateful to David for that Cogman has become such a good writer and watching Cogman’s commentary even then you can tell how passionate he is about the GOT world and wanted every detail to be perfect, like him saying in the family lineage book his the one who actually wrote down all the information for a calligrapher to write in the book Ned looks through.
I have been in two minds about whether I’d want to see a RR show. By not doing it, I hope that there are some surprise Rhaegar flashbacks either this season or next. I think the potential duality of his nature as described by differing ‘sides’ is pretty fascinating and I’d love to see that portrayed somehow. Seeing Rhaegar and Lyanna interact would be my main reason to watch a RR show really.
Hoping the spinoff will be The Doom of Valyria!
Clob,
Problem with doing Dance of the Dragons as a TV show is there is no hero. If you had a star wanting to do it what role would they get? Aegon II stoned and hiding for the first part and crippled for the end? Darion heroic suicide dragon battle but small part up to that. Rest are small parts. I could see todays Gregor Clegane being the Burning Knight but we may see that this year.
https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-27595f5e6f6a642f10bc2575e6f7d95f
Sothoryos is thought to be a magic land. There should be a series about it.