The final season of Game of Thrones left fans divided and disappointed, but it seems the creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, had their own grand plans that never came to fruition.
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Benioff and Weiss revealed that their original vision for the conclusion of the series involved a trilogy of epic films to be released in cinemas. However, HBO, the US broadcaster of the show, quickly put a stop to this idea.
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According to Weiss, the HBO executives reminded them that they were creating content for “Home Box Office,” not “Away Box Office.” In other words, the network wanted to keep the show exclusive to their platform rather than branching out into the world of cinema.
As a result, the three films were condensed into the polarizing seventh and eighth seasons of Game of Thrones, which were shorter than their predecessors.
But HBO wasn’t the only one with opinions on how the show should be presented. Benioff and Weiss also revealed that higher-ups at AT&T, HBO’s parent company at the time, had their ideas.
They wanted the duo to film episodes “vertically” to cater to viewers watching on their mobile phones. The Wall Street Journal even claimed that there were discussions about creating “snackable mini-episodes” of the series.
Despite these behind-the-scenes challenges, Game of Thrones eventually came to an end in 2019, leaving a trail of disappointed fans and critical backlash in its wake. However, there was a glimmer of hope with the release of the spin-off prequel, House of the Dragon.
Thankfully, this new series was much better received, offering fans a fresh perspective on the world of Westeros.
House of the Dragon, set to air its second season later this year, provides a glimpse into the history of House Targaryen, a family that played a significant role in the original Game of Thrones series.
The success of House of the Dragon has sparked excitement among fans, who are eagerly anticipating what other spin-offs George R.R. Martin, the author of the original novels, has in store.
While the final seasons of Game of Thrones may not have lived up to expectations, it’s fascinating to learn about the creative struggles and compromises that took place behind the scenes.
The clash between the creators’ vision and the network’s desire to maintain control over the content highlights the challenges of adapting a beloved book series for television.
Ultimately, Game of Thrones will always be remembered as a cultural phenomenon that captivated audiences around the world, for better or worse. The show’s legacy, though marred by its final seasons, continues to live on through spin-offs and the enduring passion of its dedicated fanbase.
