HBO has officially confirmed that a new prequel project based on ‘Aegon’s Conquest’ is in active development. This exciting addition to the Game of Thrones franchise will explore the legendary conquest of Westeros by Aegon I Targaryen, the founder of the Targaryen dynasty on the Iron Throne. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed this news saying that the project is reportedly being handled by the Warner Bros. production house. However, the more exciting news might be its adaptation as one long movie.
Quick read:
• HBO confirms Aegon the Conqueror’s story Aegon’s Conquest’s development
• The Warner Bros. are reportedly handling this development in a movie’s form
• George R. R. Martin has also been involved in the early stages of development
What is Aegon’s Conquest?
Set about 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the story follows Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya Targaryen. Together, they rode the dragons: Balerion-the Black Dread, Meraxes, and Vhagar to unite the Seven Kingdoms through fire and blood. This era marks the birth of the Iron Throne (forged from the swords of defeated enemies) and the establishment of Targaryen rule that shaped Westeros for centuries.
Credits: HBO (Balerion)
Credits: HBO (Vhagar)
Rhaenys Targaryen and Meraxes, by Alexandra Boshevska
Prospects of the project: Movie or series?
The project is supposedly being developed in two possible formats: As a drama series for HBO, similar to House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. And as a massive, “Dune-sized” feature film (or films) through Warner Bros., aiming for epic theatrical scale like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune adaptations, which earned huge box office success and awards.
Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin (known for The Batman and other projects) is said to be leading the writing team. George R.R. Martin has been involved in the early stages, helping shape the story. He has emphasized treating the material as real history and avoiding past mistakes from adaptations. This comes amid HBO’s ongoing expansion of the Game of Thrones world, with House of the Dragon season 3 on the way and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms currently airing.
Fans have long wanted to see Aegon’s Conquest brought to life as it’s one of the most iconic events in Martin’s lore, and the base on which the entire story of Game of Thrones began. It is important to note that no release date, cast, or final format has been announced yet as it’s still in the development phase.
Fans are very intrigued to see how it all began in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire world.
