While we already have a show about the real-life events that inspired Westeros’ past, for hardcore fans this will not replace the hole left in their hearts and Sunday night schedules when Game of Thrones finishes after the eighth season.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Casey Bloys, HBO’s president of programming confirmed they were still discussing ideas for a Game of Thrones’ follow up with George R.R. Martin:
“I would say it’s still kind of preliminary ongoing talks,” zeroed in on a specific idea from Martin’s thousands of years of Westeros history to potentially develop into a new show. “There are areas we are exploring, but I wouldn’t point to any one and say, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’”
A prequel to another series would be an unprecedented move for HBO, but is hardly surprising given the popularity of Game of Thrones . The most obvious choice for material would be an adaptation of Martin’s series of Hedge Knight novellas that star Maester Aemon’s brother, Aegon, as young squire. George has already expressed interest in this direction.
The Hedge Knight stories have a lighter, more adventurous tone than the main books and I for one would welcome that at HBO. But given that Westworld often feels like Game of Thrones meets Lost , I can’t help but feel that ‘lighter,’ and ‘more adventurous’ is the direction they have been moving recently. If they wanted to stay more ‘on brand’ then the Targaryen war of succession, commonly known as ‘The Dance of the Dragons’ might be a more likely option. Given that it ripped the kingdom in two, with sibling fighting sibling (often on the backs of dragons), and destroyed many a Westerosi house.
Regardless, this is the most we’ve heard from HBO about the prospects for a prequel, so let the speculation begin.
