A few hours ago, it was reported that HBO will not be moving forward with the much talked about Game of Thrones prequel series starring Naomi Watts. Apparently, HBO was not impressed with the pilot episode. However, they are really, really high on another Game of Thrones spin-off — House of Dragon. The series will be based on George R.R. Martin’s acclaimed book ‘Fire and Blood’ which centres around the early days of House Targaryen and their conquest of Westeros. The series is set to have 10 episodes.
Miguel Sapochinik (helmer of some of the best episodes of Game of Thrones including ‘Battle of the Bastards’ and ‘The Winds of Winter’) will serve as one of the showrunners alongside George R.R. Martin himself. Sapochinik will direct the pilot and a few other episodes of the first season. Less intriguing is Ryan Condal, writer of Rampage and Hercules, who’s set to be the other showrunner and screenwriter of the series.
In a press release (via SlashFilm), HBO President of programming Casey Bloys had this to say:
The ‘Game of Thrones’ universe is so rich with stories. We look forward to exploring the origins of House Targaryen and the earlier days of Westeros along with Miguel, Ryan and George.
Official synopsis of George Martin’s ‘Fire and Blood’ book:
Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen—the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria—took up residence on Dragonstone. Fire & Blood begins their tale with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and goes on to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynasty apart.
What really happened during the Dance of the Dragons? Why was it so deadly to visit Valyria after the Doom? What were Maegor the Cruel’s worst crimes? What was it like in Westeros when dragons ruled the skies? These are but a few of the questions answered in this essential chronicle, as related by a learned maester of the Citadel and featuring more than eighty all-new black-and-white illustrations by artist Doug Wheatley. Readers have glimpsed small parts of this narrative in such volumes as The World of Ice & Fire, but now, for the first time, the full tapestry of Targaryen history is revealed.
The release date of the Game of Thrones spin-off, House of Dragon, has not been announced.
