George R.R. Martin comments on prequel casting, new movies in development, other stuff

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: George R. R. Martin attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: George R. R. Martin attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) /
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Just ahead of the release of Fire & Blood later this month, A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin took to his Not a Blog to comment on everything from his Targaryen history book to the Game of Thrones prequel projects (yes, plural) to the fates of his beloved football teams. Foremost among Martin’s musings was his confirmation that he may have jumped the gun when divulged the title of HBO’s first prequel, the one set thousands of years in Westeros’ past, during the Age of Heroes.

"HBO has informed me that the Jane Goldman pilot is not (yet) titled THE LONG NIGHT.   That’s is certainly the title I prefer, but for the moment the pilot is still officially UNTITLED.  So… mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa.  Elsewise, the pilot is coming along well, with casting falling into place.   I could tell you more, but I am not supposed to."

That casting includes King Kong star Naomi Watts and Poldark supporting player Josh Whitehouse in lead roles. Martin also reminded us that the show that isn’t yet called The Long Night isn’t the only prequel show in the works. “We also have a couple of other successor shows still in development, but I cannot tell you about those either. Sorry.”

C’mon, Martin, just spill. What’s the worst that could happen?

Martin was also evasive when talking about upcoming movies based on his work, although it sounds like there are a few in the works:

"In feature films, one of my best known short stories is being developed, and another of my best known short stories may soon be under option for a big movie… and my team is doing its best to set up another of my novels with an actor I adore and a director I worship… but those are not yet ready to be talked about either, so all I can do is tease.   Consider yourselves teased."

We’re guessing Martin’s “best known” short story is The Ice Dragon, which Warner Bros. is currently adapting as an animated film. As for the other short story and film being developed, we can only guess. Martin has written a lot of stuff over the years. SyFy is already adapting his sci-fi Nightflyers novella as a TV series, so that’s out. The guy is in huge demand these days.

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Finally, no good update from Martin would be complete without at least a mention of The Winds of Winter.

"Believe it or not, I am working hard on a lot of things (yes, including WINDS), even though I am not allowed to talk about most of them.   Eventually, I hope, you’ll all be able to enjoy the fruits of my labors.  I hope…"

We hope, too. We hope…

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