Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss recently confirmed past reports that they had originally envisioned ending the epic fantasy series with a trilogy of theatrical films rather than the controversial final two seasons.
In a new interview with WSJ Magazine, the duo revealed that after season 6 they proposed concluding the saga with three big-budget movies to air in theaters. But network executives at HBO balked at the idea, reminding them that the “Home Box Office” name meant television, not feature films.
Fans have long criticized seasons 7 and 8 of the show for feeling rushed and poorly plotted compared to earlier seasons. Many speculate that the more expansive runtime of three 2-hour films could have allowed a more satisfying conclusion to the intricate storylines and character arcs built up over the first six seasons.
HBO Execs Rejected Ambitious Game of Thrones Movie Trilogy Finale
However, the total running time likely would have still been less than the final 13 episodes, even with the extended length of the last few entries. So while the cinematic format may have contributed to a different tone and pacing, the core storytelling challenges would have remained.
The rejection of the film trilogy concept exemplified some of the creative limitations Benioff and Weiss felt while working under HBO and parent company AT&T. They even mentioned network executives asking if episodes could be shot vertically to better fit phone screens.
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After Game of Thrones ended, the pair moved to Netflix to pursue new projects with fewer corporate constraints. They praised the streamer for providing a stable environment and allowing them independence.
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Their next major production is the upcoming sci-fi series The Three-Body Problem, based on the book by Liu Cixin. While the high-profile project brings pressure to deliver another success, they feel supported in their creative process.
Meanwhile, the Game of Thrones universe continues on HBO with the recently renewed House of the Dragon. The first prequel series focuses on an earlier period in Westeros history, the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
With network executives rejecting their original plan, Benioff and Weiss did the best they could to end the show on television. But many fans will always wonder how different Game of Thrones’ conclusion could have been as an epic movie trilogy.
