HBO shooting multiple endings for Game of Thrones season 8? Don’t count on it.
Three weeks ago, HBO programming president Casey Bloys hinted that the show’s creative players had drawn up plans for numerous finales in order to keep a lid on spoilers. This heightened caution can largely be traced back to season 7, when a high-profile leak and internal gaffe led to multiple episodes being posted online ahead of schedule. And yet, Game of Thrones‘ viewership still managed to scale new heights.
With the eighth and final season, though, it’s clear that everyone involved is pulling to create something truly special, after HBO announced its roster of directors for Game of Thrones season 8. But at least according to Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays the redeemed Jamie Lannister on the hit fantasy drama, filming multiple finales to negate spoilers is a “really stupid” idea, as it would cause the show’s production budget to sky-rocket.
Marie Clare caught up with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau to discuss Game of Thrones‘ impending series finale, along with that mooted prequel series. Apparently, it’s still incubating in the early, early stages of development, having only recently brought Bryan Cogman on board to flesh out the fifth script alongside George R.R. Martin, the franchise’s undisputed founding father.
As for those rumblings of HBO shooting multiple endings, Coster-Waldau effectively debunked the report, noting that Thrones is costing upwards of $100,000 a day as it is.
Do you think that’s true? It seems really stupid to me. I mean if it’s true I don’t believe it, but I don’t know, maybe. I mean, I haven’t read the script, so unless they will show several endings that could be a twist, they’re not going to waste that money. They know how expensive it is to shoot. You’re not going to waste $100,000 a day to shoot something you’re not going to use. It’s not going to happen.
With filming on season 8 due to commence sometime this month, HBO is said to be targeting a 2019 premiere for Game of Thrones‘ final season. And after that? The first successor series, which may well be with us in 2020 if George R.R. Martin’s latest estimate is anything to go by.
