Game of Thrones might have concluded its epic run in 2019, but the world of Westeros is far from finished with us. HBO, recognizing the immense popularity and rich lore crafted by George R.R. Martin, has tirelessly worked to expand this fantasy universe, giving fans more dragons, political intrigue, and brutal conflicts. While “House of the Dragon” successfully reignited fervor, it represents just one facet of a grander plan.
This expansive strategy has seen diverse projects, from animated prequels to epic live-action sagas. Yet, the path from concept to screen is fraught; for every success, many others never quite make it. Today, we delve into these fascinating “what ifs” – high-profile concepts HBO developed, invested in, then shelved or canceled. It’s a journey into the unseen Westeros, highlighting the network’s ambition and tough choices.
1. Bloodmoon: The $30 Million Pilot That Never Aired
Before “House of the Dragon” revitalized the franchise, HBO poured significant resources into “Bloodmoon,” an ambitious prequel from Jane Goldman, with a pilot reportedly costing $30 million in 2018. This project aimed to transport viewers to the Age of Heroes and the Long Night, delving into the ancient origins of the White Walkers, Children of the Forest, and the establishment of the Night’s Watch. It promised to unearth some of Westeros’s deepest mythical secrets.
The project generated considerable excitement, especially with acclaimed actress Naomi Watts attached in a starring role. Fans caught fleeting glimpses of what could have been through set photos shared by makeup designer Flora Moody, hinting at the series’ visual grandeur and intricate character designs. Such details further fueled anticipation, making its eventual fate a topic of significant discussion.
However, despite the massive investment and tantalizing concept, “Bloodmoon” was ultimately scrapped. Robert Greenblatt, former chairman of HBO’s parent company WarnerMedia, indicated the pilot lacked the “depth and richness that the original series’ pilot had.” This candid assessment led HBO to pivot, focusing resources instead on “House of the Dragon.” While disappointing, this strategic shift proved immensely successful, but “Bloodmoon” remains a compelling “what if.”
2. Snow: Kit Harington’s Passion Project That Went on Ice
One of the most eagerly anticipated “Game of Thrones” spinoffs, particularly by fans yearning for closure after the original series’ finale, was “Snow.” This direct sequel, conceived and pitched by Kit Harington himself, aimed to pick up Jon Snow’s life after his exile, venturing north with Ghost and the Wildlings. George R.R. Martin confirmed Harington brought his own talented team, promising a deeply personal and authentic continuation.
Despite initial buzz, Harington confirmed in early 2024 that “Snow” has been shelved. He explained to Entertainment Weekly and Screen Rant, “It’s not happening — and not happening anytime soon anyway,” revealing that “nothing really lit us up” when bouncing ideas around. This highlights creative challenges of extending a completed story without existing source material, making it difficult to find that compelling spark. Even Liam Cunningham expressed interest, but the project hit a creative wall.
Harington clarified he kept development quiet to prevent premature theorizing or negativity, saying, “I didn’t want the thing to happen where people kind of start theorizing…when it may never happen.” The team ultimately decided to “lay down tools with it for the time being,” placing it “firmly on the shelf.” While a future return isn’t entirely ruled out, the lack of a resonating story meant HBO wouldn’t take the risk. “Snow” remains a significant “what if,” a testament to crafting a worthy sequel.
3Flea Bottom: A Gritty Dive Into King’s Landing’s Underbelly That HBO Canceled
One unique “Game of Thrones” spinoff concept, “Flea Bottom,” sought to offer a drastically different perspective on Westeros, focusing on King’s Landing’s infamous slum district. This live-action prequel promised to showcase unvarnished lives of common folk, far removed from the Red Keep’s lavish feasts and political machinations. It presented opportunities for rich, character-driven storytelling, potentially exploring early lives of figures like Dunk or Davos Seaworth.
However, despite its unique premise, “Flea Bottom” was officially scrapped by HBO in 2021. The network’s pragmatic decision, reported by Digital Spy, was driven by the belief that “fans would rather want to see the stunning and majestic parts of Westeros…than the filthy streets, ramshackle buildings, and dark alleys of Flea Bottom.” This highlighted a significant challenge in balancing creative exploration with established fan expectations for grandeur.
“The Hollywood Reporter” noted that “Flea Bottom” was “always the most nascent of the ideas that were made public,” indicating development never progressed far beyond concept. HBO ultimately resolved not to risk a series that might not draw high viewership, opting for projects with broader appeal and epic scale. While many potential storylines could have emerged, “Flea Bottom” remains a curious “what if,” ultimately discarded for the Westeros universe.
4. The Sea Snake (Live-Action): Corlys Velaryon’s Grand Voyages That Sailed Away
Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Sea Snake,” is a monumental figure whose epic voyages captivated audiences in “House of the Dragon.” It was natural for HBO to consider a dedicated spinoff, originally titled “Nine Voyages.” This project, initially conceived as a live-action series, promised to bring his daring maritime adventures to screens with the grandeur and spectacle fans expected, showcasing him navigating uncharted waters and facing perils across Essos.
The prospect of a live-action series chronicling Corlys’s journeys was incredibly exciting, offering a fresh perspective beyond King’s Landing’s political intrigue. Fans eagerly anticipated witnessing these legendary expeditions unfold with immersive quality. However, in January 2024, George R.R. Martin confirmed that “Nine Voyages” had switched to an animated project, effectively ending the live-action dream for Corlys Velaryon’s solo adventures.
This decision, reported by Deadline, marked a “massive loss that we won’t see Corlys’ epic sea voyages in live action.” While animation is often more cost-effective, it “don’t give the same effect as seeing real actors and set design on the screen.” This transformation from a live-action saga to an animated one, though ensuring the story will still be told, fundamentally changed HBO’s original vision for “The Sea Snake,” scrapping the live-action version.
5. House of the Dragon: The Resounding Success That Proved Westeros’s Enduring Power
Amidst tales of shelved projects, “House of the Dragon” stands as a monumental success, proving the enduring power and appeal of George R.R. Martin’s universe. As the very first spinoff to air, it carried immense weight, tasked with captivating audiences and redeeming the franchise after the original series’ ending. It achieved this and more, cementing its place as a major success story for HBO.
The series plunges viewers nearly two centuries before “Game of Thrones,” dramatizing the brutal Targaryen civil war, the “Dance of the Dragons.” This pivotal period of familial betrayal, political maneuvering, and dragon warfare quickly drew millions, demonstrating “still tons of people interested in Westeros.” Its narrative depth, stunning visuals, and compelling arcs successfully transported fans back into Targaryen power struggles.
“House of the Dragon” has been a critical darling and commercial triumph, consistently drawing massive viewership, with nearly nine million viewers for the season 2 finale. Its compelling storytelling led to HBO confirming season 3 (expected 2026) and announcing its conclusion with season 4. This success sets an incredibly high bar for subsequent Westeros ventures and underscores HBO’s ongoing commitment to exploring Martin’s world, even when other projects are deemed not ready.
6. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Next Chapter for Westeros on the Horizon
While “House of the Dragon” enthralls, the next confirmed live-action spinoff, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” steadily approaches. This highly anticipated series adapts George R.R. Martin’s beloved “Dunk and Egg” novellas, cherished for their blend of chivalry, endearing characters, and grounded Westeros perspective. It offers a fresh, intimate narrative focus, distinct from grand dynastic struggles, promising an engaging adventure.
The series chronicles the early adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, Egg. Their journey will take them from humble beginnings to Ashford and beyond, exploring a Westeros decades away from the “Dance of the Dragons.” This period allows focus on common people, smaller houses, and a wandering knight’s life, providing a new flavor while retaining core world-building and character development.
Production for the six-episode season was underway by June 2024, with filming wrapped by September, starring Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg. Fans glimpsed the show in a Max sizzle reel, building anticipation despite its delay from 2025 to 2026. This adaptation offers a unique blend of “humor, heart, and the politics of a Westeros,” diversifying HBO’s offerings and demonstrating their commitment to translating Martin’s rich literary universe.
Even with several high-profile projects hitting the creative cutting room floor, the realm of Westeros continues to be a fertile ground for new stories, with HBO actively developing and exploring a diverse range of concepts. Beyond the successes and confirmed upcoming series, a number of other intriguing ventures are in various stages of development, offering glimpses into different eras and corners of George R.R. Martin’s rich universe. These ongoing projects, from animated sagas to cinematic visions, reveal HBO’s multifaceted strategy to keep the dragons soaring and the political intrigue simmering for years to come.
7. Nine Voyages (Animated): Corlys Velaryon’s Epic Journeys Sail On
While the dream of a live-action “Nine Voyages” following Lord Corlys Velaryon might have sailed away, the spirit of his legendary adventures lives on in an animated format. George R.R. Martin confirmed in early 2024 that the project, once envisioned with the grandeur of a live-action series, has definitively shifted to animation. This decision ensures that the daring journeys of the Sea Snake, a pivotal figure from “House of the Dragon,” will still be chronicled for fans.
This pivot, although a “massive loss that we won’t see Corlys’ epic sea voyages in live action,” as Martin noted, doesn’t diminish the narrative potential. Animated shows offer a unique canvas, allowing for breathtaking depictions of uncharted waters, exotic lands across Essos, and fantastical creatures that might be prohibitively expensive or complex to render in live-action. It opens up creative avenues to explore the vastness of Corlys’s world-spanning expeditions without visual limitations.
As one of the animated projects referenced by Martin, “Nine Voyages” remains a significant part of HBO’s expansion plans, albeit in a different medium. It allows for a deeper dive into the lore of the distant East and the formation of House Velaryon’s legendary wealth and status. This ongoing development proves that even when a vision shifts, the core stories of Westeros are too compelling to be left untold, adapting to new forms to reach audiences.
8. Ten Thousand Ships: Princess Nymeria’s Grand Migration Resurfaces
Whispers of a series chronicling the epic tale of Princess Nymeria and the Rhoynar people’s migration have long circulated, set a millennium before the events that unfolded in “Game of Thrones.” This ambitious prequel, tracing Nymeria’s journey across the seas with her people, was once presumed canceled, fading into the long list of “what ifs” for the franchise. However, Westeros, much like its history, has a way of repeating itself, or in this case, reviving its past.
The original concept, as outlined by writer Brian Helgeland, painted a vivid picture of “the story of Moses but swapping him out for Nymeria.” It envisioned a massive exodus, with Nymeria leading her people, “trying to hold everyone together but things are always in danger of falling apart as they travel around a fictionalized version of the Mediterranean, looking for a new home to settle in.” This narrative promised not just grand spectacle but also poignant human drama.
In a thrilling turn of events, George R.R. Martin confirmed in June 2024 that “Ten Thousand Ships” is indeed back on track, with playwright Eboni Booth now attached to write a new pilot. While acknowledging the logistical challenges with characteristic humor – “we’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to pay for ten thousand ships, three hundred dragons, and those giant turtles” – Martin’s update injects renewed optimism. This epic saga of survival and seeking a homeland is once again setting sail.
9. Aegon’s Conquest: Forging the Iron Throne
Few events in Westerosi history loom as large as Aegon’s Conquest, the fiery campaign that saw Aegon I Targaryen, along with his formidable sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, conquer six of the Seven Kingdoms and establish the Targaryen dynasty. It’s a foundational tale, the very genesis of the Iron Throne, and it comes as no surprise that HBO is “actively exploring” a series centered on this pivotal period. The network has shown significant eagerness to move this project forward, understanding its immense appeal.
Reports in 2024, notably from “The Hollywood Reporter,” linked “The Batman 2” co-writer Mattson Tomlin to the project, signaling serious movement behind the scenes. There’s even talk of a potential feature film component that could precede and set the stage for the proposed television series, creating an even grander introduction to the Targaryen patriarch and his dragons. This approach could deliver the epic cinematic scale fans crave, immediately immersing them in the conquest.
A series on Aegon’s Conquest would offer an unparalleled opportunity to witness the raw power of the Targaryens at their apex, showcasing their legendary dragons in full destructive glory as they unified a continent. It would delve into the strategies, alliances, and betrayals that shaped the kingdoms for centuries to come, providing a thrilling look at how Westeros truly began. For those yearning for more dragon-fueled warfare and dynastic origins, this prequel promises a fiery return to the very roots of Targaryen dominance.
10. Game of Thrones Movie: Westeros Invades the Big Screen
Just when fans thought they knew the extent of HBO’s Westeros ambitions, “The Hollywood Reporter” dropped a bombshell in October 2024: Warner Bros. is quietly developing “at least one” “Game of Thrones” movie. This revelation signifies a bold new direction for the franchise, indicating a desire to bring the epic scope of Martin’s world to the cinematic stage. While details are incredibly sparse and the project remains in very early development, the potential implications are enormous.
Currently, no creative team has been confirmed, and the precise connection of this film to the existing television series or other planned spinoffs remains a mystery. Will it be a standalone story, a bridge between different series, or perhaps a prequel or sequel event that leverages the grand scale only a movie can provide? The ambiguity itself fuels fervent speculation, allowing fans to dream of what kind of tale could warrant a theatrical release.
What is clear, however, is Warner Bros.’s enthusiasm, with the publication stating the studio is “keen on exploring the idea of Westeros invading cinemas.” This signifies a recognition of the global box office potential that a “Game of Thrones” property holds, allowing for even grander visuals and a more immersive experience than television typically permits. A feature film could introduce new characters, explore untouched corners of the world, or revisit beloved ones on an unprecedented scale, making this a truly exciting prospect for the future of the franchise.
11. Empire of Ash / A Doom of Valyria Spinoff: Unveiling Ancient Catastrophe
Among the more enigmatic and intriguing canceled projects is one rumored to be titled “Empire of Ash,” which aimed to explore the catastrophic “Doom of Valyria.” This cataclysmic event, responsible for the collapse of the mighty Valyrian Freehold—the ancestral home of House Targaryen—remains one of Westeros’s greatest mysteries. While the specific title might be an unverified leak, “The Hollywood Reporter” confirmed that writer Max Borenstein had been developing a series centered on this momentous historical tragedy.
Borenstein, known for “Kong: Skull Island,” expressed his “very passionate” interest in the idea in 2021, hoping to return to it in the future. The sheer scale of the Doom, hinted at in “Game of Thrones” and elaborated upon in Martin’s lore, presents a rich canvas for storytelling. “House of the Dragon” has already done an excellent job of showcasing the inherent danger and power of dragons, which would be central to understanding the Valyrian Freehold’s might and its ultimate, devastating downfall.
There’s even a speculative element in the context suggesting that HBO executive Francesca Orsi’s mention of a “promising” new spinoff, “still in the Targaryen line,” could indicate renewed interest in bringing the Doom of Valyria to our screens. Unveiling the secrets of this ancient catastrophe—the magic, the political intrigue, and the events leading to such an utter collapse—would offer fans an unparalleled dive into the deepest, most mythical parts of Westeros’s past, revealing the origins of the world’s most feared creatures and powerful houses.
12. Robert’s Rebellion: A Much-Desired, Yet Unlikely, Prequel
For many devoted fans, the idea of a series dedicated to Robert’s Rebellion, the brutal war that saw Aerys II Targaryen, the “Mad King,” overthrown by Robert Baratheon and his key allies like Ned Stark and Jon Arryn, is an absolute dream. It’s a highly desired prequel, packed with iconic characters, epic battles, and the dramatic events that directly led to the original “Game of Thrones” series. However, despite this intense fan appetite, the prospect of such a show seems incredibly remote.
The primary obstacle to a “Robert’s Rebellion” series comes directly from the architect of Westeros himself, George R.R. Martin. In 2017, he explicitly stated his lack of interest in making one, explaining that he felt it would “feel too much like a twice-told tale.” Martin believes that readers will eventually learn all they need to know about the rebellion through his books, making a visual adaptation potentially redundant without fresh narrative angles or significant new revelations.
This creative stance, coupled with the inherent challenge of adapting an already well-known historical event without new source material, makes the series “very unlikely.” While the thought of seeing young Robert, Ned, and Jaime Lannister in their prime, alongside the tragic events that sparked the war, is undeniably appealing, HBO has, for now, opted not to pursue this particular path. It remains a fascinating “what if,” a testament to the wealth of stories within Martin’s world, even those destined to remain confined to the pages of history.
As we’ve journeyed through the intricate landscape of HBO’s Westeros expansion, it’s clear that the network is meticulously crafting a future for “Game of Thrones” that balances creative vision with commercial viability. From the resounding success of “House of the Dragon” to the shifting forms of “Nine Voyages” and the potential cinematic grandeur of a “Game of Thrones” movie, the world of ice and fire continues to evolve. While some promising projects have been shelved, each decision reflects a careful strategy to ensure every new venture lives up to the monumental legacy of the original series. The future of Westeros is not just bright; it’s vast, dynamic, and full of untold tales waiting to captivate a new generation of fans.”
