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Westworld showrunners on a Game of Thrones crossover

Posted on by Nate

Dany

The idea originally came from George R.R. Martin himself over dinner with Westworld showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy a few months ago. Now that Westworld has made its debut on HBO, Entertainment Weekly followed up with the showrunners on a possible crossover with Game of Thrones.

Having known Martin from a previous theatre screening, the pair are ecstatic at the writer’s comments. Nolan says to EW:

“We love George and our daughter’s first trip anywhere in the world was out to Santa Fe for a screening of The Prestige at his theater, the Jean Cocteau …He’s a lovely guy and a stunning writer and it’s flattering he would encourage a crossover. We should be so lucky.

Joy touches on one fire-breathing issue that complicates the premise:

I need to be believe that dragons are real! I want them be a real thing. So as much as I love George, I can’t lose that for myself!

Sadly, a crossover seems unlikely given the logistics of it all but it’s still fun to consider. Nolan teases to stay tuned to Westworld with an “awful lot of material to cover.”

Westworld airs Sunday nights at 9PM EST and you can catch up now on the first three episodes on HBO.

What are your thoughts of a Thrones-themed Westworld? Would you watch? Or better yet, given the chance, would you attend? Let us know below!

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Nate

74 Comments

  3. A theme park set in the Game of Thrones realm.
    That would be interesting! hahaha.

    “Nolan teases to stay tuned to Westworld with an “awful lot of material to cover.””

    I don’t see it at all!!!!!! I cant see how they can drag this story out.

  5. Honestly, it wouldn’t make sense. But I wouldn’t mind seeing Medievalworld on “Westworld” with their own version of supernatural creatures and original characters.

    Has anyone else been watching Westworld? How are the ratings? Do they even matter? 😉

  8. Flayed Potatoes,

    Im not really sure I know which is the number (from the article) I would use to compare with the number we look at on Tuesdays after each GOT episode
    Just out of curiosity.

  10. I’ve just started watching Westworld and I have mix feelings about the possible crossover… 😀

  15. In this scenario, Westeros is a new experimental, Matrix style virtual reality environment being tested by the company that owns and runs Westworld. Bran is revealed to be the genius programmer of the Westeros VR who goes into the VR to fix a problem (represented by the White Walkers/Night King) and ends up getting trapped there with his creations.

    Actually, I’d like to see a crossover with ABC’s “Once Upon A Time” – seeing Robert Carlyle’s Rumplestilskin and Tyrion Lannister match wits/schemes would be epic. Not to mention what would happen with Cersei running into Lana Parrilla’s Evil Queen. 🙂

  16. Dee Stark,

    It’s hard, isn’t it? Even though I have already read a couple of spoiler posts here, I am trying to stay away from the newer ones… But it’s oh so tempting!!! 😛

  17. Special guest with a whole lot of money pays for a GoT adventure. Dorne or Dothraki would sort of fit the setting. Small dragons would be possible with the tech.

    Neat things to show
    a) army of robots doing manual labor to construct the set
    b) some ticks of westworld behavior in westeros
    c) some GoT actors as robots + some westworld actors filling in GoT roles.

  18. Better not to mix Game of Thrones and Westworld. Both are doing their things, let them be original their way. They can implement some magical creatures.

  20. Dee Stark:
    A theme park set in the Game of Thrones realm.
    That would be interesting! hahaha.

    “Nolan teases to stay tuned to Westworld with an “awful lot of material to cover.””

    I don’t see it at all!!!!!! I cant see how they can drag this story out.

    There’s plenty of material. They already teased future seasons could be set in medieval and Roman themed worlds/parks.

  21. Flayed Potatoes:
    Honestly, it wouldn’t make sense. But I wouldn’t mind seeing Medievalworld on “Westworld” with their own version of supernatural creatures and original characters.

    Has anyone else been watching Westworld? How are the ratings? Do they even matter? ?

    Last episode was 2.1 million. Yeah no where near Thrones, but much higher than any of their other current dramas like The Leftovers or Vinyl. This is considered a success already by HBO and i would be shocked if it doesn’t get another season.

  22. Jack Bauer 24,

    yeah but where does the story go?? you can have a million themed parks but what about the story? okay the bots are gonna start to rebel this season then what? lol

  24. Well, in the original Westworld film the amusement park was divided into three regions, also including Medieval and Roman themeparks.

  27. Dee Stark:
    A Dornish Tyrell,

    DONT DO IT
    they seem HUGEEEEEE

    As someone who loves spoilers I can confirm there have been some pretty big ones lately, complete with photos. Avoid anything connected to the filming in Spain as the outdoor stuff is relatively public and pictures you would definitely not want to see are popping up all the time. Can’t say any more ‘cos that in itself is spoilery.

    I’m enjoying Westworld, but to be honest some people in GoT behave so strangely that the revelation they were robots running amok would actually make a lot of sense. Perhaps it’s been a cross-over all along and we’re only just finding out now 😉

  29. Dee Stark:
    Also, finally something I can comment on and read .

    UGHH

    SERIOUSLY I am dying over here. So far I’m “clean” though. Stay strong Dee.

  30. I love Westworld so far. I did wonder even after the first episode how there can be more than one arc in the story / how a second season could even be possible.

    BUT, they’ve done a good job of deepening / complexifying the story with each episode. So, IMO, it seems like it could have more longevity now than it did at first.

    Definitely looking forward to each Sunday… if not quite as much as Thrones, at least still a lot. 🙂

  31. crossover stories are a cheesy way to boost ratings of failing shows. GoT doesn’t need it and Westworld is so new (2-3 episodes) it haven’t had a chance yet. Let both story lines play out, separately from each other. And as for Once Upon A Time……no, just no.

  32. I’m still on the fence for Westworld, and really, I wouldn’t enjoy seeing ASOIAF characters crossed-over with anything. Fanfiction-wise fine, but to me it would cheapen and detract from the amazing-ness of our beloved literature/series.

  33. Dee Stark:
    A Dornish Tyrell,

    DONT DO IT
    they seem HUGEEEEEE

    Dee, you’re missing all the great spoilers and photos of the filming in Spain! Its just incredible how the paps and Spanish newspapers manage to get so much info 🙂

  39. Black Raven,

    Yeah I actually find it a little sad and disrespectful that the Spanish paps can’t respect what the GOT crew is doing and give them full out privacy. But you can say the same about paps and celebrities as well.

  40. richard decredico:
    Westworldis rather weak and does not make much sense.It has yet to decide what exactly are the rules of its own universe.Really silly stuff, and clear the showrunners are throwing a lot of things on the wall with no idea what is really going to stick or for how long.

    Just because they haven’t yet given detailed explanations to the viewers of the rules of the universe does not mean they haven’t decided on them, lol!

    And they are not ‘throwing things at the wall’. The show just started so they have spent the first three episodes doing a lot of table setting and I believe some of it is, by design, just red herrings to keep viewers guessing. We probably won’t find out who is really who and what the real game is until the end of the season.

    Plus, getting to watch Anthony Hopkins every week is just a treat.

  41. Suzaku:
    Well, in the original Westworld film the amusement park was divided into three regions, also including Medieval and Roman themeparks.

    Beat me to it!

    Lord of Coffee: Just because they haven’t yet given detailed explanations to the viewers of the rules of the universe does not mean they haven’t decided on them, lol!

    And they are not ‘throwing things at the wall’.The show just started so they have spent the first three episodes doing a lot of table setting and I believe some of it is, by design, just red herrings to keep viewers guessing.We probably won’t find out who is really who and what the real game is until the end of the season.

    Plus, getting to watch Anthony Hopkins every week is just a treat.

    Exactly this. The show just started. Why would anyone want the entire storyline spelled out? It’s the discovery–the figuring out–that’s the fun part. The acting is top notch (Anthony Hopkins, hello!) so it isn’t painful to watch. It’ll need a whole season, I think, to lay out the world and it’s nuances. I gave Vinyl a season. They just didn’t execute (forgive the pun). Don’t give up on Westworld yet. Give it a chance to develop.

    Maybe a mention of GoT if they get to Medieval World, but no direct cross overs, please! BTW, GoT mention last week on “This is Us.” It’s truly ingrained in pop culture.

  43. Dee Stark:
    Black Raven,

    Yeah I actually find it a little sad and disrespectful that the Spanish paps can’t respect what the GOT crew is doing and give them full out privacy. But you can say the same about paps and celebrities as well.

    I agree with you. Nathalie Emmanuel (who plays Missandei) is none too happy about this. I guess this will always happen when GoT is filming in large open areas or beaches even if the general public are barred. Devoted fans and the paps will always find a way around that and the Spanish media are notorious for things like this. GoT has a huge following in Spain and probably the biggest – certainly in Europe.

    Although there is a plethora of stuff getting posted on WotW at the moment, from what has been shown one can only speculate on it. Its not like the leaked episodes from S4 that were ‘real spoilers’ or photos of scripts left lying around on tables!

    I think no matter what is posted currently, by the time S7 airs later next year all this will be forgotten and we can watch and enjoy the show without prior knowledge.

  47. Dee Stark:
    Black Raven,

    What did the other commenters think of her tweets? I’m curious

    Some were in agreement, others said it was inevitable. i.e. She has to accept that leaks will happen when filming in places like Spain. One of the vids made by a local newspaper ‘El Correo’ showed a policeman moving people away from a viewpoint that overlooks a path to a church where filming is taking place. The locals didn’t seem too bothered and probably returned afterwards when the policeman had gone 😀

    I think you’ll have to take the bull by the horns (or bite the bullet) Dee and read some of the comments on these ‘Spoilery’ posts – i.e. If you can 😉

    Just go straight to the comments and avoid the photos and vids at the top! TBH, until the filming has been completed in Spain, its going to be quite a job to steer clear of spoilers (some monumental ones!) on WotW 😮

  48. Flayed Potatoes:
    Dee Stark,

    They don’t have as many viewers as GoT, but at least they’re doing well and not flopping like Vinyl.

    It’s their second most successful drama in terms of ratings, behind GOT, in the last few years. It’s also their most critically acclaimed drama in the last few years. I would say a second season renewal is imminent…

  49. I think any feasible mention of a crossover would be a spinoff….and why not? If Martin and Nolan felt they could do it, it would only be because they knew they’d come up with something epic.

    So far Westworld has me hooked unlike any new show in a long time! So compelling and unique, very Thronesesque in those regards. I’m counting the hours until the next episode.

    And the possibilities with that show literally are beyond imagining…anyone who doesn’t see how a second season and beyond is possible might go take some peyote or smoke some Thai Stick or something….need to open up your mind.

  51. Theboardrider Stark,

    I have a pretty open mind and I was one thinking where can this go? How long can they tell this story.
    I know they haven’t touched on the many things they have discussed so there’s lots more to go. I just can’t see it YEt going as long as GOT for ex
    Though I’d like it to

  52. Dee Stark,
    You’re welcome 😀 I don’t think it’s paps at fault this time. The place most of the leaks are coming from (in Spain) seems to be overlooked by public footpaths and there are photos of lots of people – presumably locals, they don’t have professional photography equipment with them – watching the filming. It doesn’t look like the sort of place you’d have to sneak up on, just they haven’t closed off the areas nearby that have a within-a-decent-camera-range view.

  54. Dee Stark:
    Black Raven,
    Thanks for the summary! You’re awesome!

    Hahaha OMG no way!The comments is where the spoilers are discussed. Lol!!! I can’t go there!

    Dee, I admire your will power 🙂 If you can stay ‘spoiler free’ until S7 airs next summer, it will have been quite an achievement!

  56. Dee Stark,
    Sorry, I missed a “just” out of my post and meant it’s not just the paps but the public too. The basic problem is the filming takes place somewhere that seems quite a bit lower than the surrounding area, which apparently has many vantage points to look down on it from. You really do need to avoid all the Spain-related threads, I don’t think we’ve ever had quite this level of spoilers before, especially so far in advance of a series starting. People are losing their minds in the comments in an OMG-so-excited way, but it looks like S7 (or at least this part of it) should be awesome 😀

  57. Lulus Mum,

    Yeah I stay away from any filming threads and to be honest may have to stay away from MOST threads in case someone discusses the spoilers in a speculative way.

    sometimes you don’t know what speculation is based on actual knowledge.

    Oh man you’re hyping me up so much!!!! We still have sooooooo long to go!

  59. Dee Stark,
    Hang on in there girl and stay strong, it will be worth the effort! Sorry not trying to hype or frustrate you on purpose, but want to stress the level of spoiler we are talking here without giving any kind of clue what they are (there’s more than one thing happening).

    Concentrate on Westworld to take your mind off it. And feel sorry for us in the UK who have to wait until tuesday night, a full 48 hours later, to see it. I wandered over to Reddit to see what the WW formus were like and they are crazy. There are about 8 million theories as to what exactly is going on and no books to guide them as the show creators have really done their own thing with it. Keeping up with that would easily be a full time job! 😀

  60. Lulus Mum:
    Dee Stark,
    Hang on in there girl and stay strong, it will be worth the effort! Sorry not trying to hype or frustrate you on purpose, but want to stress the level of spoiler we are talking here without giving any kind of clue what they are (there’s more than one thing happening).

    Don’t be sorry!! its great 🙂 ill take anything at this point! hahaha

    Yes I am trying to do that with westworld
    I know this show can go anywhere at this point and I have no idea what to think ! Theyre doing a good job
    I read a review that a scene from yesterday was very GOT style.

  61. Dee Stark: Don’t be sorry!!
    I read a review that a scene from yesterday was very GOT style.

    Cast of thousands, huge death toll, unexpected twists, dragons, army of the undead, bewbs, foreshadowing, mmm where do I know you from actors etc? 😉

  63. Please NO!!! Crossovers never work. GOT is great. I am not sure Westworld is going to be. I am forcing myself to watch it….like I did with Vinyl…..might give it up soon.

  64. Dee Stark:
    Lulus Mum,

    Yeah I stay away from any filming threads and to be honest may have to stay away from MOST threads in case someone discusses the spoilers in a speculative way.

    sometimes you don’t know what speculation is based on actual knowledge.

    Oh man you’re hyping me up so much!!!! We still have sooooooo long to go!

    Well Dee, watch all the spoilers and clips on WotW and you won’t have to wait until next summer to see S7 🙂

    Its just incredible the amount of stuff being posted!. B&W must be going ape-shit about these leaks and spoilers from Spain! However, I still think it will be hard to piece together the story line from the filming leaks so far. OK we now know certain characters will meet up who haven’t in the past do and another who hasn’t been around for ages returns into the story, but unless one knows plot lines, we are all none the wiser. GoT tends to film bits and pieces in these exotic locations, but that doesn’t mean they are sequential. They could be several episodes apart before the S7 finally gets aired.

    I’m trying to tease you Dee and wind you up just to see how long you can last out before taking a quick peek lol 😉

  66. Dee Stark:
    Black Raven,

    Yeah. Poor B&W.. but not much they can do.

    hahahah its not working!
    I have never checked the spoilers before! Why would I now!! LOL!

    Well done! You have amazing will power Dee 😀

    Don’t worry, I won’t mention anything regarding spoilers to your posts.

  67. Joey,

    Ikr! It’s ridiculous but perfect at the same time. I love this idea. One shot 90min Christmas special 2017. So hope this happens!

  68. Suzaku,

    Sleepy hollow. Once upon a time a time. Walking dead. Vampire diaries. I like have. Ichabod crane team up with Regina mill. And zelena And Snow White And Prince Charming And Elena Gilbert , Rick and carl Grime. To battle robot western cowboys and also Headless horsemen and his ghosts British soldiers.👮🏻

  72. “Nice” necroposting. For a second there I thought I’d missed something. I was about to post that a GoT-WW crossover would be the dumbest thing ever… until I saw that I wrote fourteen months ago that it would be “ridiculous idea.”

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