Sources exclusively revealed to Variety that HBO is actively discussing a potential new prequel to “Game of Thrones” centred on the conquest of Westeros by Aegon I Targaryen. While the project is in its early stages, HBO is eager to move forward and is currently searching for a writer.
Additionally, there may be a feature film component that would lead into the potential series, though plans are subject to change. The show would chronicle Aegon’s use of his army and three dragons, along with his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, to conquer six of the seven kingdoms in Westeros, establishing himself as the first king of Westeros and the founder of the Targaryen Dynasty.
These events occurred about 300 years before the events of the original “Game of Thrones” series.
HBO declined to provide a comment. This new project would be the latest addition to HBO’s Westeros-based productions, following the enormous success of “Game of Thrones.”
HBO has announced various projects over the years, but “House of the Dragon” is the only one that has been successfully developed, with its first season premiering in August 2022 and being quickly renewed for a second season. At present, the production of season 2 is underway. The only other “Game of Thrones” project to have any filmed content was the canceled pilot for “The Long Night,” which starred Naomi Watts. That project was scrapped on the same day that “House of the Dragon” was given the green light in 2019.
The expansion of the “Game of Thrones” universe and the possibility of tying in a film is not surprising, given that the show remains one of the most valuable pieces of intellectual property in the Warner Bros. Discovery library. Media companies have been working for some time on building interconnected universes around their biggest titles, with Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe being the most prominent example. Warner Bros. Discovery is also presently working on a reboot of the DC Universe under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Source: Variety
