HBO has long been the master of the Seven Kingdoms in the television department, but the network is clearly taking inspiration from Disney Plus in its quest to maximize its biggest intellectual property (IP).
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter (opens in a new tab), HBO has begun early development on a new Game of Thrones spinoff centered around fan-favorite Jon Snow. Kit Harington is set to reprise her role in the fledgling project, which would mark the first sequel to George RR Martin's hit fantasy series.
If the unnamed show were to go ahead, it would join six other Game of Thrones-related projects currently underway at HBO. House of the Dragon, a prequel series centered on the early days of the Targaryen dynasty, will premiere on HBO Max on August 21.
It should be noted that neither HBO nor Harington have commented on the existence of the project, but THR has a habit of confirming the development of upcoming movies and TV shows before they are officially announced.
Presumably, the new series would pick up directly after the events of Thrones' controversial season 8 finale, in which Snow exiled himself from Westeros to start a new life with Wildlings Beyond the Wall. It was also revealed at the end of Game of Thrones season 7 that Snow's real name is Aegon Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
This timeline would also allow for the possible return of other popular Game of Thrones characters, including Tyrion Lannister, Arya Stark, and Brienne of Tarth.
In any case, HBO's plans to further diversify Game of Thrones suggest it learned from the strategy employed by its second-biggest streaming rival, Disney. The latter studio has opted to develop character-driven series based on its lucrative Star Wars and Marvel properties (Wandavision, Loki, Obi-Wan Kenobi, etc.), which have proven invaluable in attracting new subscribers to Disney Plus.
A spin-off series directed by Jon Snow would be the first of its kind for the Game of Thrones universe, with other HBO projects in development for Thrones including the live-action series 9 Voyages and the animated prequel The Golden Empire. to continue to focus instead on particular dynasties or periods in Westeros' long history.
This approach also makes financial sense for HBO. Limited series that focus on isolated characters mean that studios only have to shell out a hefty paycheck for the actor in question. Multi-season shows like Game of Thrones, on the other hand, feature big casts that get infinitely more expensive as they grow in popularity: actors Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke and Harington, for example, reportedly earn €500,000. per episode on Game of Thrones. . seasons.
A reception of Ice and Fire
Naturally, more Game of Thrones doesn't necessarily mean a good Game of Thrones, and fans have already taken to social media to protest HBO's latest plans.
"Not a good idea. We have his story, nothing more to say," wrote one Twitter user (opens in a new tab). "There are plenty of other stories that don't involve Jon Snow and they don't have a place this time around. Unless they have an amazing script, but I doubt it. It seems like a cash grab.
“A character with one of the most boring personalities going back to a timeline where all the fun and complex characters have been removed,” another wrote (opens in a new tab).
The reception was not entirely negative, mind you. As one Twitter user explained (opens in a new tab): “I can't wait to revisit this world and see some of these great characters again. Hoping they can make up for the shortcomings of the last season.
Clearly, then, a Jon Snow-led Game of Thrones series isn't a guaranteed path to redemption for HBO, and, as shows like The Book of Boba Fett have shown, nostalgia won't go that far. history.
Still, there's no doubt that millions would tune in to see Harington and his snowy topknot one more time, and Disney's treatment of the Jedi and the world's favorite superheroes seems to have given Jon Snow fans the go-ahead.
If you want to dig into everything we know so far about HBO's most immediate Game of Thrones series, House of the Dragon, check out our complete guide. The show begins streaming on HBO Max on August 21.