Game of Thrones has established itself as one of the most successful television shows in history, breaking a multitude of records, giving birth to overwhelming awards ceremonies and helping to make the stars of the series famous. Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage (that no, he did not want to take part in the television series) e Kit Harington. Based on the book series by George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire, the show boasted multiple major story arcs during its eight-season run, none greater than the battle over who would sit on the Iron Throne. Despite a last season that divided more than a couple of opinions, the television series proved a pop culture phenomenon around the world, encouraging HBO to create multiple spin-offs, including the upcoming House of the Dragon (the whose teaser trailer was released recently).
The author was unaware of the four spin-offs in the works for HBO
As reported by Indiewire, during an interview for the book Tinderbox: HBO’s Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers, the author of Game Of Thrones admitted that he was surprised to learn how many spin-offs were, at the same time, in the works.
While Martin aware of two ideas for the series, he described how he “suddenly discovered they had set four prequels in motion” with four different writers. The author went on to confirm that, at one point, he “met all four writers” to create ideas. Working out what the series were about, Martin said one was House of the Dragon (then titled Dance of the Dragons) and another was Dunk and Egg, which is currently still in the plans. Below is the author’s full statement:
“I suddenly discovered that they had four prequels in motion. The idea of the ‘Dance of the Dragons’ was just one of them. And the other three are ideas from other people who I imagine have read my books or obtained documents from HBO. They didn’t like the idea of ’Dunk and Egg’ because they were familiar with the short stories – someone there had read them – but it was too soft, but they responded well to the idea of ’Dance of the Dragons’. It surprised me, I admit. I had never heard of it before. I thought we would go on with one, with a development, with what I proposed to them ‘Dance of the Dragons’. I met all four writers. They came to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I lived, and I had meetings with them, I discussed their idea, I held seminars, I tried to answer any questions and that’s it. “
One of the problems with the last few seasons of Game of Thrones is that the writers ran out of source material. Even now, Martin is reluctant to give a release date for The Winds of Winter, the next book in the series, despite having been working on the novel for years.
HBO, however, has no excuse for House of the Dragon, as the writers are working from full source material, with one of the richest franchises it can offer. Despite Dunk and Egg recently finding a writer, House of the Dragon for better or for worse remains the only parent series spin-off guaranteed to see the light of day, thanks to HBO’s model of indecision.
House of the Dragon’s success will be measured when its 10-episode season arrives next year.
