HBO has been busily casting its Game of Thrones prequel series The Long Night, yet the very person in control of the network’s Iron Bank doesn’t seem totally convinced of it.
The channel has previously seemed pretty set on bringing author George R.R. Martin and Jane Goldman’s story set during the mythic Age of Heroes to screen in the next few years, even casting Naomi Watts in the leading role.
Martin has also been careful about saying other spinoffs developed alongside The Long Night could eventually air as well, but he’s seemingly been contracted now by HBO’s overlord in a new interview with TheWrap.
Steve Snowden/Getty Images for AMC Networks
Robert Greenblatt, the new chairman of HBO’s owners Warner Media, told the website that he is on board with finding ways to keep Game of Thrones going as a franchise.
“I think to figure out a way to sustain Game of Thrones or the Game of Thrones world for the future is a really good idea — if it makes sense creatively and if everybody is on board,” he said.
Yet, Greenblatt took a more sceptical view of the spinoffs: “The last thing you want to do is roll out a spinoff or two and they’re not up to the standard of the original show and then you’ve just sort of failed miserably.
“But sure, it makes sense to try to sustain it if we can. You know, can you really do two spinoffs? I don’t know.”
HBO
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He then intriguingly clarified: “I mean, I’m not even sure you can do one. You know, so I don’t know yet is the big, long boring answer and I wish I did.”
All signs still point to HBO moving ahead with development with The Long Night for now, but clearly it will need to meet Greenblatt’s lofty standards in order for it to actually move from pilot to series.
Game of Thrones season 8 will premiere on April 14, 2019. The show airs on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. Season 7 is now available to buy on DVD, Blu-ray or digital download.
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