“A conversation is as dangerous as anything else”: Shōgun Director Doesn’t Agree with Fans Comparing Hit Series with Games of Thrones

Jonathan van Tulleken says FX’s Shōgun is more like HBO’s Succession or Netflix’s House of Cards.

FX’s Shōgun series is currently being compared by fans and critics with HBO’s hit fantasy show Game of Thrones, and director Jonathan van Tulleken disagrees with the claims. While he acknowledges the fact that it is a spectacle, the filmmaker has another comparison in mind.

fx shōgun-2
FX’s Shōgun

Shōgun was created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks as a limited historical drama series based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same title. The cast includes Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira, Tommy Bestow, and Fumi Nikaido.

Shōgun Director Isn’t Amused With Show’s Comparison To Game Of Thrones

While speaking with Today via Deadline, director Jonathan van Tulleken says HBO’s Succession and Netflix’s House of Cards are better comparisons to Shōgun than George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones.

Truly it is a character piece, and it is about this intrigue. This is a dangerous world where violence can come out of nowhere, but the real danger is in the machinations. A conversation can be as dangerous as anything else. A better comparison [than Game of Thrones] would be Succession or House of Cards.”

fx shōgun-3
FX’s Shōgun

There is an earlier version of a 1980 limited series produced by NBC which was also based on the 1,200-page novel. Interestingly, the filmmaker remarked that the Japanese version shies away from the Western gaze.

This is made hand in hand with the Japanese because it is a story about two cultures encountering each other and seeing ourselves in each other. We are way past [the Western gaze] in terms of audience sophistication and the stories we want to tell. What we really want to tell is a story of political intrigue, imprisonment, and entrapment.”

Because of the elements found in the show depicting 17th-century Japan, critics could not help but find similarities with Game of Thrones. The immersive settings, acrimonious politics, and extreme violence give off the same vibe as the epic HBO saga. The Washington Post’s Lili Loofbourow wrote:

Shogun will inevitably be compared to Game of Thrones because it hits that proven combination of gorgeous set pieces, moral ambiguity, cliffhangers (literally, in one case!), and extreme, distressing violence. Also, perhaps, because it so gratifyingly marries the pleasing grandeur of an epic with juicy psychological stakes.”

The first two episodes that aired on February 27, 2024 were helmed by Jonathan van Tulleken, who is also tapped to direct Amazon’s Blade Runner 2099.

 

Will There Be Shōgun Season 2?

fx shōgun
FX’s Shōgun

With the current hype on the show, many would be asking if Shōgun is already gearing up for a second season. Executive producer Michaela Clavell shared via The Direct that the fans will more likely have a say in the decision.

You know, the audience will let us know whether there’s, there is their appetite for that. We shall see. It’s a great question. I wish I knew the complete answer, but I don’t.”

As mentioned, the debut episodes of Shōgun are out now and available to watch via Hulu and FX. New episodes will be released every week until April 23, 2024.

Related Posts

Bridgerton Season 3 Trailer: Potential Toxic Romance Tropes to Watch Out For

A long-awaited Bridgerton season 3 trailer teased a fan-favorite romance, but painted the couple in a toxic light — which is a far cry from good news.The…

Bridgerton Season 3 Family Tree and Character Ages, Explained

With season 3 of Bridgerton coming out in May 2024, let’s take a look back at the massive Bridgerton family tree and all the characters’ ages.When a…

New Face, New Story: Bridgerton Trailer Reveals Daphne’s Successor for Season 3

Daphne’s reduced & different role in season 2 made the absence of a proper debutante felt, but Bridgerton season 3’s trailer revealed her replacement.The Bridgerton season 3 trailer revealed…

Who Plays Francesca in Netflix’s Bridgerton?

The role of the sixth Bridgerton sibling was recast for season three.Francesca Bridgerton is the first major character on Netflix’s hit Bridgerton to be recast: actress Hannah Dodd…

Why Isn’t Benedict the Lead of Bridgerton Season 3? Exploring the Character’s Role in the Series

The new Bridgerton showrunner explains why the Netflix series won’t follow Julia Quinn’s books in order.n May 2022, Netflix confirmed that Bridgerton season three will not be taking its story from the…

Head to these places to experience the magic of Bridgerton

Dearest Gentle Reader, what wonders await us in the upcoming season 3 of Netflix’s original series Bridgerton? With its intriguing storyline and aesthetic screen design, it has made…