George R.R. Martin, founding father of the ongoing Song of Ice and Fire novel series and one of many executive producers on board HBO’s live-action adaptation, has posted a status update regarding the network’s early plans for multiple Game of Thrones prequel series.
Last we reported, HBO was in possession of five spec scripts – spec scripts from a pool of screenwriting talent that includes Max Borenstein (Godzilla: King of the Monsters), Jane Goldman (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), Brian Helgeland and Carly Wray – leading Martin to clarify which stories won’t be making the leap from page to screen. Spoilers: don’t hold your breath for the Dunk and Egg and/or Robert’s Rebellion.
And though the core Game of Thrones saga has naturally taken precedence at HBO what with the impending two-part finale, the prequel series are “moving forward at various rates of speed,” according to George R.R. Martin himself.
First spotted by Screen Rant, Martin’s latest blog post contained an all-too-brief update regarding HBO’s Game of Thrones universe and, specifically, the network’s mission to future-proof its fantasy flagship beyond the eighth and final season, which is expected to air sometime in 2018 – providing there are no unexpected delays, of course. Speaking of which, HBO programming president Casey Bloys stressed recently that the impending series finale won’t act as a springboard to launch those inevitable successors.
Here’s that status report, straight from GRRM himself:
“The five successor shows are moving forward at various rates of speed and there are a couple other TV projects that I can’t tell you about … how much of this will come to pass, nobody knows. Ah, the joys of development…”
After bringing the Internet to a standstill last week with a momentous trailer reveal, Game of Thrones season 7 is now barrelling down on its July 16th premiere date. It’ll stretch for seven episodes in total, before HBO’s fantasy drama stages its last hurrah with a six-part season in 2018.