On Thursday, Game of Thrones fans were on high alert when The Hollywood Reporter shared an article reporting a major update on a potential Aegon the Conqueror spinoff. This is not the first time we've heard that HBO is considering a new show about the famous Targaryen, but this new report seems to prove things are moving forward, even if the show ultimately never gets made. According to the reputable publication, writer Mattson Tomlin has been tapped to pen the series.
For those of you unfamiliar, a spinoff about Aegon I Targaryen would be a prequel to House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones that's airing its second season on HBO this summer. Aegon's Conquest is a pivotal part of Westeros history; he's the one who brings the Seven Kingdoms together and creates the Iron Throne. This conquest changes the Realm forever, as chronicled in George R.R. Martin's Targaryen history book Fire & Blood.
Mattson Tomlin is best known for movies like Project Power and Mother/Android. He also did uncredited work on Matt Reeves' The Batman and serves as a co-writer on the sequel, The Batman Part II, and is also co-writing the screenplay for the upcoming adaptation of BRZRKR co-created and starring Keanu Reeves. Despite not being a big name in Hollywood (yet), I more or less trust HBO with their decisions regarding the Game of Thrones franchise, so this is exciting.
That said, if HBO does go through with this spinoff, there's a lot they could get wrong. Here are five mistakes they're definitely going to need to avoid in order to make a successful Aegon the Conqueror series.
5. Don't air multiple spinoffs at once
There have been discussions about a long list of Game of Thrones spinoffs since the original show ended, but as of right now, only two are actually confirmed: House of the Dragon, which is one season down, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Night, an upcoming adaptation of Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas. Though some fans are already complaining about this being too many spinoffs, I'd be fine with HBO keeping the franchise going with new shows for years and years to come, just as long as they put space between them.
There's a ton of material that can be covered in future Game of Thrones spinoffs, not to mention any potential new storylines post-Thrones for sequel shows. But HBO must avoid the mistake that Disney has made with its Marvel and Star Wars shows — oversaturation. If this Aegon series gets made, I really hope it doesn't come out until House of the Dragon finishes up.