Seven kingdoms, seven gods, seven seasons — seven movies?
“It all depends on how long the main series runs,” he told The Hollywood Reporter this week. “Do we run for seven years? Do we run for eight? Do we run for 10? The books get bigger and bigger (in scope). It might need a feature to tie things up, something with a feature budget, like $100 million for two hours. Those dragons get real big, you know.”
If Martin and HBO want “Thrones” movies, there’s certainly no shortage of material to pick from. Here are our suggestions for seven “Game of Thrones” movies that could kick all kinds of Westerass.
“The World of Ice and Fire”
Later in the year, Martin and co-writers Elio Garcia and Linda Antonsson of Westeros.org release a massive book called “The World of Ice and Fire,” which goes into great detail about the various lands and rich history surrounding the “Thrones” source material. A film series with similar branding could explore quite literally whatever it wants, dating as far back as the fall of Valyria to future events we’ve yet to even consider.
“The Long Night”
Ancient Westeros history includes a period of darkness called “The Long Night,” during which the first order of the Night’s Watch assembled alongside the Children of the Forest to fend off the ice-dwelling Others. It’s one of the greatest legends within the world of Westeros and is certain to have massive implications for how “Thrones” will end. It would be an interesting way to “prequelize” the “Thrones” saga — as long as they don’t explain green-seeing through midichlorians.
“Dunk and Egg”
In addition to the proper “Ice and Fire” books, Martin has authored several short stories set about 100 years before the present day squabbling over the Iron Throne. The series, known in fandom as “Dunk and Egg,” focuses on Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire “Egg,” the brash prince who eventually grows up to become King Aegon V Targaryen. Martin has released three of these shorts thus far, but has “dozens” of stories planned. As readers of the books know, Dunk and Egg’s story literally ends in flames — a fiery mystery that could blow up the big-screen.
“Robert’s Rebellion”
Shortly before Robert Baratheon claimed King’s Landing, the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen lorded over Westeros. These are the youthful days of Eddard Stark and his “kidnapped” sister Lyanna, the days of the legendary prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The period immediately before the events of “Thrones” stands out as one of the most beloved and mysterious aspects of the novel series. A further exploration on film is something that most fans would love to see.
The Dothraki Way
If there’s one character who “Thrones” fans are dying to see return from the grave, it’s Jason Momoa’s towering Khal Drogo. The Dothraki warrior died far too soon for many readers and viewers’ tastes. Perhaps a film could focus on Drogo’s life before meeting Daenerys Targaryen, showing his various conquests on the battlefield. Then again, that movie already sort of exists: it’s called “Conan.”
“A Dream of Spring”
Adapting the final book of Martin’s series as a special, franchise-concluding “Game of Thrones” movie is actually an interesting idea. It would probably need to be a two-parter, at least. Length aside, it could solve the problem of the show catching up with Martin’s book release schedule, as much as one exists. It would take quite a while between the end of the HBO show and the release of the film to get the project up and running — plenty of time (knock on wood) for Martin to finish his books at his own pace. If that’s part of the appeal of ending “Thrones” with a film, then as a reader first and viewer second, I am all for this idea.
They Already Made “Game Of Thrones” Movies
They’re called “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.” Part of what makes “Thrones” so great is its serialized storytelling, and its ability to convey huge ideas on the small-screen. All of the aforementioned stories could work on television. “Thrones” is big enough as it is. Were it up to me, I’d keep the story on the written page and on the small-screen where it belongs.
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