Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that meetings with writers are underway for a potential series that would be part of the franchise’s expansion at parent company WarnerMedia.
In the next War of Thrones chapter can be animated.
An excited War of Thrones drama is in the early stages of development at HBO Max, several sources say The Hollywood Reporter. Meetings with the writers of the adult-oriented project, which would be similar in tone to the HBO Emmy-winning flagship, are already underway. No deal has been made and there is still the possibility that the animated series will never materialize.
HBO Max representatives declined to comment.
The animated idea is part of a larger strategy to expand the world of fantasy drama by creator George RR Martin. Sources say HBO’s development executives – led by playwright Francesca Orsi and her group – are working directly with Martin to build the expansion War of Thrones world. (Martin remains in a rich general agreement with the hairdresser.)
The franchise expansion begins with HBO’s Dragon House, the prequel that was chosen directly for the series in October 2019. The drama starring Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith will begin production in the spring.
From others War of Thrones ideas are also being launched for the premium cable network and streaming sister HBO Max, including a live take on Martin’s novel series Tales of Dunk and Egg for HBO itself. (There are currently no deals in place for Dunk and Egg, or.)
Sources note that expansion plans for War of Thrones were underway long before Disney announced plans for nearly a dozen Star Wars and a dozen more Marvel TV series for its streamer, Disney +, during investor day in December. Although HBO has previously developed a number of other War of Thrones prequels that did not advance, the emergence of HBO Max gave greater importance to the construction of Martin’s expanding universe. (All original HBO series end on the streamer one day after being broadcast on the premium cable network.)
HBO Max’s effort to explore IP as Harry Potter, DC Comics and titles like Sex and the City it is part of a larger strategy to better position its parent company, WarnerMedia, for the future. Media giants WarnerMedia, Disney, NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS restructured last year to prioritize their streaming services. Embracing intellectual property is a central part of building streaming services to attract subscribers. (ViacomCBS has Star Trek and is plotting a script Godfather drama, for example.)
“In the face of the massive expansion of verticals, people need to make choices about what services they want based on what they can provide,” notes a veteran literary agent. “[HBO Max] go look in your library and explore everything you can. “
A version of this story appeared in the January 27 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here to subscribe.