Everybody stop what you’re doing: there’s a rumor on the internet. Several publications are reporting that George R.R. Martin made comments about HBO moving ahead with plans to make a Game of Thrones movie at an Emmy afterparty. Personally, I would take this rumor with several hundred bucketfuls of salt, but here’s what Martin is said to have said:
"There will be a movie but I will not be involved. I have too much to do. That is something HBO and the DB and David are dealing with. I have two more books to finish and I still have so much to do. The pressure is on. I am such a slow writer and the fans get upset that I don’t write faster."
The Daily Star, which originally broke what we’re going to call this story, also claims to have word from someone on the production who says that the movie would probably take place before the events of the series.
"They are looking at dipping back in time during certain periods of the series, which could be examined as a one off plot. That means that some of the big characters who fans have seen die on screen could be resurrected such as Robb Stark, Catelyn Stark, Oberyn Martell The Red Viper – and Ned Stark…George has created such an expansive universe of characters over 8,000 years of history, the possibilities are endless."
Okay, so there’s a lot to be suspicious about here. First of all, Martin is said to have made his comments at an Emmy afterparty. The Emmys were over a week ago, and the various interviews with the cast and crew, including with Martin, were pretty well-cataloged. Why would the Daily Star sit on a bombshell like this for this long? Also, HBO president Michael Lombardo has previously come out as being against a movie, and we’re not sure why he’d change his tune. Finally, far be it for me to criticize the reputability of another publication, but I feel compelled to point out that the front page of the Daily Star currently features the following headlines:
"WORST SPIDER BITE EVER: Brit attacked on holiday flight nearly loses legNipple power: How boob décor is the new flesh-flashing crazeCouple earn six-figure salary having sex for strangers: ‘I do girl-on-girl too’"
We’ll just leave it at that.
On the other hand, rumors about a Game of Thrones movie have swirled for years, and George R.R. Martin has said he thinks it would be a good idea. Still, I wouldn’t take this particular story as confirmation of anything, not without more.
UPDATE: Elio & Linda, the proprietors of Westeros.org and two people who are close in George R.R. Martin’s confidence, have confirmed what we pretty much all already knew: of course there’s no Game of Thrones movie in the works.
Reports that #GameOfThrones movie is in the works are based on fake quotes from @GRRMSpeaking, according to @HBO. Tabloids are shameless.
— Elio & Linda (@westerosorg) September 29, 2015
And that’s that. See you next crazy rumor.