As we approach the end of Game of Thrones, we become more interested in the spinoffs still in the planning stages. Details have remained scarce, but we know that HBO is currently developing either four or five prequel series. Each series is being written by a separate writer. A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin is involved with each of them, but to differing degrees. Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss won’t be involved at all.
One of prequel writers, Kingsman: The Secret Service scribe Jane Goldman, recently spoke to IGN on what her series might look like:
"Yeah, I think I can say if I was able to say what mine was — yeah, I think as a book reader or as someone who watched the series, you would say, “Oh, that! OK.” Yeah, it would be recognizable as a past event, but I think that’s probably as far as I can go."
It’s good to hear that at least one of the series will be “recognizable as a past event,” although at this point, that could mean almost anything. Also, let’s remember that HBO has confirmed that it will not be doing prequels that revolve around Robert’s Rebellion or the Dunk and Egg series. Also, this early in the process, we note that Goldman’s series has not actually been greenlit for full development — the current theory is that HBO will develop a bunch of different ideas and choose to go forward with the one (maybe two) it likes the best.
So what might “recognizable” mean? Will the show have supernatural elements, for example? Dragons and White Walkers and the living dead and the like?
"Yeah, I mean those are things that exist in the universe that George has created and it’s certainly — that’s an aspect that I love so, umm, yeah. (laughs) I’m sure there’s an element of that in anything that’s being developed but, yeah, that’s — I guess so, yeah. I feel like I’m saying way too much! I can say absolutely nothing."
She’s just started working on this franchise, and already Goldman is without spoilers like an old pro. Kudos.
Goldman also commented on how closely she’s worked with Martin, saying “I’ve had the pleasure of going to spend some time with him and working on things and talking about ideas.” As for when any prequel series might air…
"I mean, in terms of what spin-offs will happen, I think nobody knows at this stage of the game, but the sense I get is HBO is very keen to develop something to go on the air sooner rather than later after the series ends, which is why they’ve been in development in earnest I think."
If Goldman has any idea as to how the current series will end, she’s keeping them to herself. “Uh, yeah, I totally should not answer that question! And if I were to say that I do, who knows who might torture me for the information?”
Next: Jon Snow and company are on thin ice in new clip from “Beyond the Wall”
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