HBO Orders Game of Thrones Pilot Featuring White Walker Origin Story
If you are a history buff and Game of Thrones fan, then the upcoming franchise spinoff is for you. HBO is developing a Game of Thrones prequel set millennia before the Mad King went on the bloody rampage that sparked the original series. The cable network has been juggling ideas, and it seems like they have settled on a dark tale featuring the characters that most keep us up at night.
A pilot for the new series has been greenlit and the project will focus on an era thousands of years before the Westeros we have come to know. The series will begin in the fabled Age of Heroes that crumbles into conflict. Few spinoffs have such a big time gap, and it could really work well. We will get a total reset and see concepts, but not specific characters, that we already know.
HBO teased the pilot today saying, “Only one thing is for sure: from the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.”
It’s difficult to imagine how the history of Westeros could get much more horrifying. There has been considerable bloodshed and ruthless rule in the 7 seasons we’ve witnessed. Anyone recall the Red Wedding?
The White Walkers have been the most frightening part of Game of Thrones. The Night King has inspired some serious nightmares and we are dreading seeing Viserion as a wight. But, wait. The true origin of the Walkers? Weren’t they created by the Children of the Forest to defend Westeros? We clearly saw them stab a man and turn him into the Night King. We are now very intrigued to find out what we are missing.
Between ‘horrifying secrets’ and dark origins of the White Walkers, we wonder if the spinoff will have a horror flavor. George R.R. Martin has proven he has the chops to scare with upcoming series Nightflyers.
The series is being created by Kick-Ass and Kingsman producer Jane Goldman with George R.R. Martin. Goldman and Martin created the story with writing credit going to Goldman. Game of Thrones producer Vince Gerardis and Bloodline co-creator Daniel Zelman are on board to produce. HBO has not yet set a premiere date, but it will not be ready until after Game of Thrones concludes next season.
Featured Image: Vladimir Furdik. photo: courtesy of HBO
