Game of Thrones Prequel Set 90 Years Earlier In Development At HBO

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Another Game of Thrones prequel is in the works at HBO based on the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas by George RR Martin. Game of Thrones ended its historic run with a fizzle rather than a bang. Many were confused as to how a show that had such a solid run could end so poorly. HBO reportedly lost half its viewers after Game of Thrones ended, but it's unclear if that is because the series ended or because of the way it ended.

HBO had multiple Game of Thrones prequels in development at one point in the hopes of narrowing it down to one that they felt could usher in a new era for the franchise. Naomi Watts led prequel The Long Night filmed a pilot but was ultimately nixed. Now, HBO is moving forward with House of the Dragon, a series that will chronicle the Targaryen dynasty's early years. Chief content officer Casey Bloys said more spinoffs were possible, and it looks like HBO is moving forward with at least one more.

According to Variety, HBO is developing a prequel based on the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas set 90 years before the flagship series's events. No one is attached to the prequel as far as writers or talent, but the series is a high priority for the network. Martin and HBO declined to comment on the news.

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Fans have long expressed a desire for the novellas to be brought to the small screen. While the series being in development does not necessarily mean it will come to fruition, it is a clear indication that HBO is interested in expanding the Game of Thrones franchise beyond just one prequel series. With HBO saying Game of Thrones will never get a direct prequel or spinoff, this one will be about as close as it gets. The novellas, of which there have been three so far, follow a legendary member of the Kingsguard, Ser Duncan the Tall, and Egg, a young boy that would become Aegon V Targaryen, King of Westeros.

Aegon is the King of Westeros, whose son precedes Aerys II Targaryen, better known as the Mad King, Daenerys Targaryen's father, who was murdered by Jamie Lannister. The Tales of Dunk and Egg are considerably more lighthearted than the oppressive darkness of A Song of Ice and Fire, giving the series the chance to explore a more familiar era from a new angle. In the future, HBO likely wants to introduce unique stories that explore different facets of the established world. Game of Thrones brought Westeros to prominence, and now The Tales of Dunk and Egg can explore the same world more thoroughly with the adventures of two lesser-known characters.