Details are starting to come through about the much-anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, although we are still a long way off seeing it on our screens.
The epic Game of Thrones series will come to an end in 2019 when season eight is released, but we are set for a lot more Westeros action after that.
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The first prequel (for there may be more than one) is now very much on course with a title confirmed and the cast starting to be announced.
Here is everything we know so far about the next part of the fantastical story…
What is the Game of Thrones prequel going to be called?
George R.R. Martin, the writer behind the whole world of Thrones, has confirmed that the prequel will be called The Long Night.
When will it be released?
We are a long way from knowing a release date yet, I’m afraid.
The release date for Game of Thrones season eight is yet to be confirmed and they have finished filming that.
With casting still ongoing for The Long Night, it is extremely unlikely to arrive before the end of 2019.
Who is in the cast?
As yet, the only cast member announced is Naomi Watts, the 50-year-old actress best known for films such as The Ring, King Kong, Eastern Promises and The Impossible.
According to Variety, Watts is playing, ‘a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret.’
When will the prequel be set?
Earlier this year, Martin wrote on his blog: ‘This one really puts the PRE in prequel, since it is set not ninety years before Game of Thrones (like Dunk & Egg), or a few hundred years, but rather ten thousand years (well, assuming the oral histories of the First Men are accurate, but there are maesters at the Citadel who insist it has only been half that long).’
HBO also released the following information when they ordered the pilot: ‘Taking place thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, the series chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour.
‘And only one thing is for sure: From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the white walkers, the mysteries of the East, to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.’
In Game Of Thrones lore, the Age Of Heroes began with the pact which brought about peace between the First Men and the Children Of The Forest at the end of the Dawn Age.
There are other clues that have been found, specifically thanks to Winter Is Coming who claimed that the Norwegian site for actors Stage Pool, let slip the character descriptions from casting resource Spotlight.
They reportedly put out the latest casting calls, which are said to run from now until the 17 November, that read:
- B3: (Male, 50-63 years old) This role is a series regular, playing age 50s. The role is meant for a Black actor.
- W: (Male, 37-45 years old) Playing age late 30s-mid 40s. This role doesn’t appear to be a series regular, and is meant for a Caucasian actor.
- E: (Male, 30-38 years old) This role is a series regular, playing age 30s. The role is meant for a Scandinavian, Germanic, or Eastern European actor.
- V2: (Male, 49-58 years old) This role is a series regular, playing age 50s. The role is meant for a Scandinavian, Germanic, or Eastern European actor.
- N: (Female, 31-34 years old) This role is a series regular, playing age early 30s. The role is meant for a Caucasian actress.
- M3: (Female, 28-31 years old) This role is a series regular, playing age late 20s. The role is meant for a Caucasian actress.
Prior to this, another casting call was said to be leaked that asked for a ‘Black actress, a Mixed Race actor and a Caucasian actress.’
As the casting appears to be so diverse, fans are starting to think that the prequel must be set in Essos.
Who has written The Long Night?
Martin confirmed on his blog that Jane Goldman is in charge of the project and wrote the script.
‘Jane Goldman scripted the LONG NIGHT pilot and will be running the show. She and her team are busy in London right now, neck deep in casting, and I expect some more names will be announced soon,’ he said.
He also added a little tease for possible more projects: ‘Meanwhile, there are still a couple of other possible prequels in active development. I can’t tell you the subject matter of those projects, no, sorry, wish I could.’
Exciting!
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