Five? Really five?
Really! And that is indeed strange. I’ve never seen a strategy like this in television before. But it also makes sense in this case.
HBO’s programming president Casey Bloys has explained that “GOT” is such a unique property, and such an enormous success, that the network wants to maximize its chances of finding a series worthy of continuing the most popular, award-winning and lucrative show they’ve ever had. Basically, just as the “GOT” showrunners are spending a lot of time on the final season, HBO likewise doesn’t want to blow the show’s legacy by having a successor series that’s considered a step-down.
Also, fun fact: HBO has never made a follow-up series to one of its hits before — “GOT” would be the first. So all five will air?
Almost certainly not. “Developing” only means a script is being written. Once those are turned in, maybe one or two might become a pilot. Then they show that show to the people who pick shows and — look, do we need to quote “Pulp Fiction” here? You know how this works. It’s a process. Bloys says they’ll be happy to ultimately find just one prequel worthy of continuing the “GOT” legacy. What are the prequels about?
So little is known that it’s easier to say what they’re not about. There are no current cast members in the stories. They take place during the prior history of Westeros and Essos.
“Robert’s Rebellion” is not one of them. Author George R.R. Martin’s “Dunk & Egg” tales are not one of them either, since those stories are still being written (Martin’s not about to get into another “books vs. TV version” publication race). Beyond that, there’s only speculation. I mean, you gotta figure one of the projects has to involve the Targaryens, because how could it not? They ruled Westeros for 300 years. No “Robert’s Rebellion?” But that would be great!
Martin said that by the time his books are written fans will already have their biggest questions answered about that period of Westeros history. So much of “GOT’s” drama — and serialized dramas in general — come from not knowing what’s going to happen next. A “Robert’s Rebellion” story would mostly rehash what we already know (like, have you watched “Attack of the Clones” lately?). Is Martin involved in the prequels?
Yes! Very much so. All the prequel writers are working with him to varying degrees. Benioff and Weiss, however, have declined to be involved and are instead focused exclusively on the final season. So when will a prequel air?
Not until after “Game of Thrones” concludes. Likely not until a year later. So maybe 2020? How will Jon Snow react to learning his parentage? Dude, that’s a totally different conversation!