Now that industry strikes are resolved we can see some fast action to get productions underway. One such work that is holding people’s attention is the latest in the GAME OF THRONES franchise. Note, that as of this time, alongside HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, which is well underway with Season Two, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS: THE HEDGE KNIGHT is the only GoT piece in development and it seems to have started casting.
Of course, we know that this work is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Dunk and Egg” novellas. As WinterIsComing reminds us, these short books are set after the time of House of the Dragon but before Game of Thrones. So, the dragons are all dead, but there are still people around who remember them. They follow Ser Duncan the Tall, aka Dunk, an enormous knight with a simple mind and a good heart; and his squire Egg, aka Aegon Targaryen, a Targaryen prince so far down the line of succession that no one in his family cares if he runs around Westeros having adventures with a hedge knight.
An apparent casting call went out for what appears to be the two lead roles in the story –
BOY – aged 9-10 Physically small, the character is wise beyond his years, confident and witty. He has a neutral English accent and is white with blue/green eyes and pale skin. Must be under 4’6 and at least 9 years old by March 2024 for licensing.
SOLDIER – aged 18-25 The soldier is very tall and physically strong. He has a humble disposition and is perceptive and thoughtful. Any ethnicity. Must be at least 6’4.”
HBO executive Francesca Orsi has stated the series will ideally go, “year-to-year and arcing out a three-season series, which maps out the three novellas that George wrote. Of course, we’d like more beyond that, and George is continuing to think about the remaining novellas that he still wants to write but at this point, we have our eye on three seasons that would map out each book, each novella.”
Let us repeat, there are no further works in motion at this time for the franchise. The Jon Snow Sequel, 10,000 Ships, or animated GOT content are not on the table at this time. HBO CEO Casey Bloys recently commented, “I wouldn’t say there is anything else in that world that is close to a greenlight or anything. But we are always working on different scripts and ideas.”
So, for now, on this front, if all falls into place, then production can begin in Spring 2024 on THE HEDGE KNIGHT and then we should be watching the sophomore season of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON on HBO
