Martin is not willing to give up on spinoffs that easy!

Ever since Game of Thrones ended back in 2019, fans have been waiting for more Westerosi content from George R. R. Martin’s books. While nothing can redeem the Season 8 mishap, the prequel show, House of the Dragon, did manage to soothe the pain of millions of disgruntled fans who had once signed a petition to remake the original show’s finale. The success of House of the Dragon urged HBO execs to venture forth with a fiery sword and careful steps into the MartinVerse, putting in a number of spinoff shows at work.

However, as with any successful IP, not all spinoffs are going to work, and a lot more never see the light of the day. Game of Thrones has also seen similar days, which disappointed the fans. However, the series’ progenitor George R. R. Martin believes a story in development is never gone for good.

Four Game of Thrones animated spinoffs were initially in the works

George R. R. Martin has often reiterated that his creations: his books and shows, are like his children. He is too attached to them and it is hard for him to let them go. But in business, you have profits as well as losses, and a number of pitches in the TV industry don’t always materialize. In his recent post on his website, Not A Blog, the author wrote:

“As it happens, HBO and I have our own animated projects, set in the world of A SONG OF ICE & FIRE. None of them have been greenlit yet, but I think we are getting close to taking the next step with a couple of them. When this last round of development started a few years back, we had four ideas for animated shows, with some great talents attached. Writers rooms and summits, outline and scripts followed in due course… but, alas, two of the original projects were subsequently shelved.”

Though it was unfortunate, another Game of Thrones animated spinoff was recently announced by Martin himself. Nine Voyages, a series based on the seafaring adventures of Lord Corlys Velaryon, was previously being written as a live-action adaptation. However, it will now be developed as the third animated spinoff under Martin’s watchful eye.

George R. R. Martin prefers the word “shelved” for canceled spinoffs

Martin has often played with the idea of spinoffs ever since the conception of Game of Thrones. His books contain intricate lore, providing ample room for sequels and prequels to grow. And he is always hopeful that someday, even the scrapped ideas might receive the limelight they deserve. He wrote in his blog:

“Those of you who have read my reports in years past may recall that I prefer to say “shelved” rather than “killed,” as nothing is ever dead for good in Hollywood, and a project put on the shelf one year can be taken off the shelf a few years later). (I still have hopes of presenting the stories that we shelved in another form, perhaps as graphic novels).”

The hopes of the Game of Thrones creator resonate with the sentiments of his readers and audience, who also have been putting forward their wishes for several Game of Thrones spinoffs. While some of them have materialized like House of the Dragon, others are on the way, like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, some others are still in discussion, like the highly awaited SNOW. Only time will make it clear, if the viewers will get to see them on-screen, or if they’ll be consumed in the Long Night.