While Game of Thrones may have ended on HBO in 2019, it’s the fantasy franchise that simply keeps on giving. That’s due almost entirely to the myriad of spin-offs in development by WarnerMedia. In fact, there are so many in the works at this point that it might be hard to keep track of.
Thankfully, franchise creator–and A Song of Ice and Fire author–George RR Martin has provided an update on practically everything Thrones-related in the pipeline, including the long-delayed Winds of Winter novel. And no, you shouldn’t get your hopes up about that one just yet.
Martin outlined progress on several of the projects in a post on his blog, sharing a mixture of information we know, confirmed rumors, and news that should get you a bit excited. For simplicity’s sake, we’re going to break this out into sections. With so many titles in play, that’s honestly the only way to remain remotely coherent.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon will be the first spin-off viewers will see from the franchise. According to Martin, the first season of the series has wrapped production in London and it’s now being edited together. “What I have seen, I have loved,” he wrote. “I am eager to see more.”
The Sea Snake
This live-action series was previously known as Nine Voyages, but according to Martin a name change came about “since we wanted to avoid having two shows with numbers in the title.” This series, which is about Corlys Velaryon–the head of House Velaryon in the novels–, is in the pilot-writing phase currently. Bruno Heller (Gotham, Rome) is scripting.
The Ten Thousand Ships
This is the other show with a number in its title. Per Martin, showrunner Amanda Segel (Helstrom, The Mist) has delivered more than one draft of the pilot script. “We are forging ahead,” the author states.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
This is the Dunk & Egg series that has been discussed. It also has a number in the title. Why not call it Dunk & Egg? According to Martin, it could be confused with a sitcom. The problem is, a sitcom set in the Game of Thrones world sounds great. Regardless, the first season of the series will adapt the first Dunk & Egg novella, “The Hedge Knight”–which Martin says some involved want to call the series as a whole.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms features Steve Conrad (Ultra City Smiths) as showrunner. It remains to be seen when the series might be ordered to pilot, but Martin says he and his team have been meeting with Conrad.
The Golden Empire
There’s also an animated show in the works–potentially even more. The one project he was able to discuss is currently titled The Golden Empire. The series is set in Yi Ti, a nation in Essos in the novels. “We have a great young writer on that one too, and I think the art and animation is just going to be beautiful,” Martin said. “I would tell you more if I could. I don’t think I can say a word about the other animated shows. Not yet.”
Now, outside of House of the Dragon, none of these projects have been ordered to series and chances are not all of them will ever see the light of day. That said, it might be exciting for Game of Thrones fans to know about all of these possibilities. What about the books, though?
The Winds of Winter
All Martin would say is that work continues on the novel, though he was able to accomplish less in 2021 than he would have liked due to his busy schedule.
“Yes, of course I am still working on The Winds of Winter,” he said. “I have stated that a hundred times in a hundred venues, having to restate it endlessly is just wearisome. I made a lot of progress on Winds in 2020, and less in 2021… but ‘less’ is not ‘none.'”
Dunk & Egg novellas
As the Dunk & Egg show continues to be developed, Martin also plans to finish up his Dunk & Egg stories.
Fire & Blood, Vol. 2
First of all, it might be up for a name change to Blood & Fire, dropping Vol. 2 completely. Martin says he’s written “a couple hundred pages” of the book but has plenty more to go.
As for more immediate projects, the writer says an illustrated and condensed version of Fire & Blood will be released later this year.
Source: Gamespot
