NEWSFLASH: TV networks like making money.
And in similarly obvious news, Game of Thrones is pretty popular.
Are these two seemingly random pieces of information linked, I hear you ask? Well yes, they may well be.
After the runaway success GoT has enjoyed over the past six years, HBO aren’t quite ready for the coffers to dry up after the series ends next year. They are now reported to be working on four options for spinoff series.
FOUR.
Whether these will be spinoff storylines in the same time period, prequel series or sequels, we do not know.
What we do know is that the four people tasked with pleasing the basically unpleaseable (that’s us) are Max Borenstein (Godzilla/Kong: Skull Island), Brian Hangeland (L.A. Confidential), Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass/various X-Men films) and Carly Wray (Mad Men), with the big man himself George R.R. Martin collaborating loosely on the last two.
You’d think there was a few other things GRRM would want to tie up before pursuing additions to the existing story…such as, I don’t know, FINISHING THE WINDS OF WINTER, AND THE LAST BOOK TOO FOR THAT MATTER?
Sorry, I think I’ve calmed down now.
I know that there will be a hell of a lot of demand for more Game of Thrones after the main series concludes, and it’s probably a smart move from HBO to be planning for that by collecting different ideas on a spinoff series, since you can guarantee it’ll guarantee them good viewership and money if it goes ahead.
But I’d still rather see them put the effort into something new and original, which we know all the people involved in these brainstorms have by the bucketload. Especially since, no matter what they come up with for a spinoff, it won’t please the fans enough to stop them tearfully posting on the internet about how HBO broke their hearts.
Plus, as we have learnt from such luminaries as Joey, AfterMASH and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, spinoffs to immensely popular TV series are often not a good idea. Just create a new series, HBO, and blow our minds all over again instead of trying and failing to live up to Game of Thrones.
But at least it’s one more thing we can ruminate on as we wait desperately for the season 7 premiere in July.
God, it’s going to be a long wait.
