The end is nigh for Game of Thrones, but HBO’s Song of Ice and Fire will continue far into the future.
With all six episodes of season 8 tentatively pegged for summer of 2019, the network has already begun soliciting pitches for a Game of Thrones prequel series, one that won’t involve Robert’s Rebellion nor George R.R. Martin’s fan-favorite Dunk & Egg tales. We know that because Martin is said to be actively involved in HBO’s future-proofing plans, and is working closely with a pool of writers comprised of Max Borenstein (Godzilla: King of the Monsters), Jane Goldman (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), Brian Helgeland (Robin Hood), and Carly Wray (Mad Men, The Leftovers).
But it turns out there’s room for one more in HBO’s throne room, as Entertainment Weekly brings word of a fifth prequel series being developed by Bryan Cogman. A long-time contributor to Thrones, Cogman’s time with the show stretches all the way back to season 1. In those intervening years, the writer-producer has penned stories for “Stormborn,” “Kissed By Fire,” and “The Laws of Gods and Men,” and EW notes that Cogman will now work closely with George R.R. Martin to flesh out his initial treatment.
In fact, if you’ve paid close attention to GRRM’s blog, news of a fifth successor series shouldn’t be all that surprising:
HBO announced the names of the first four, and will no doubt announce the fifth as well, once his deal has closed. He’s a really terrific addition, however, a great guy and a fine writer, and aside from me and maybe Elio and Linda, I don’t know anyone who knows and loves Westeros as well as he does.
Alas, as with all TV projects simmering in this stage of development, there’s no guarantee HBO will issue the green light on all five pitches, and will likely whittle down its list of contenders to one (or perhaps two?) follow-up series.
Whatever the outcome, Game of Thrones fans will still be rooted to the edge of their seats when watching the show’s eighth and final season. And no, it won’t launch any of those prequels, regardless of which treatment HBO chooses.