The architect of Game Of Thrones, George R. R. Martin, has recently given his own two cents regarding the cancellation of The Long Night, according to Deadline. The Long Night was to be a prequel series set 1,000 years before the events of Game Of Thrones, focusing on the continent of Westeros and the collapse of its Age Of Heroes era.
The series was going to star King Kong actress Naomi Watts, and the showrunner was going to be Jane Goldman who served as a screenwriter for films like X Men First Class and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Jane Goldman had also penned the script for the pilot episode with help from Martin, who had nothing but kind words for his partner when said, “Jane Goldman is a terrific screenwriter, and I enjoyed brainstorming with her.”
When it comes to the cancellation of the prequel series, Martin shared his condolences for the project that was DOA. “It goes without saying that I was saddened to hear the show would not be going to series,” A sentiment shared by fans of the HBO hit show. Although Game Of Thrones elicited a polarizing reaction from fans, that didn’t dampen the passion and demand for a new prequel series, which might have been seen as a sort of redemption to those disappointed with show’s divisive conclusion.
After news of the prequel’s cancellation, however, HBO had announced that another Game Of Thrones prequel, House Of The Dragon, will be aired on the premium cable service. House Of The Dragon will take place 300 years before Game Of Thrones, and will focus on the House Of Targayen, a family long time fans may find themselves already acquainted with.
Despite the timing of both announcements being so close to each other, Martin doesn’t think that The Long Night was canceled in favor or because of House Of The Dragon. To him, the world is big enough for both TV shows to thrive. “I do not know why HBO decided not to go to series on this one, but I do not think it had to do with House Of The DRAGON,” Martin had said. “If television has room enough for multiple CSIs and CHICAGO shows…well, Westeros and Essos are a lot bigger, with thousands of years of history and enough tales and legends and characters for a dozen shows,”