By Cindy Davis | Game of Thrones | July 31, 2015 |
By Cindy Davis | Game of Thrones | July 31, 2015 |
“Seven-seasons-and-out has never been the conversation. The question is how much beyond seven are we going to do.”
That’s the official word on from HBO programming president Michael Lombardo, who said he expects Game of Thrones to run eight or more seasons. Of course, George R. R. Martin has insisted the conversation was always more like “ten seasons,” though he acknowledged showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss thought they’d finish in seven, but now feel “like there’s two more years after six.” Maybe eight’s the magic compromise number, or perhaps with the endgame closer in sight, all parties are ready to affirm it’d be more lucrative to continue a proven power play than to throw a bunch of money at something new. Case in point, David Fincher’s Utopia pilot, which due to budgetary reasons may be dead in the water. According to Deadline, HBO and Fincher couldn’t align their numbers, and the actors (including Rooney Mara) and crew have been released. (No worries, people! The brilliant original is available on Netflix, August 1st. H/T Brian) From Lombardo’s comments at the Television Critics Association, it sounds like HBO is wholly invested in continuing its proven hits. In addition to saying he’s “always hoping” Benioff and Weiss will change their minds about stopping (after eight seasons), Lombardo was asked about the possibility of a prequel series, and responded that he believes there is “enormous story material…I would be open to anything that Dan and David wanted to do.” (Let the casting games begin!)
And of course someone had to ask about the fate of a certain someone — cue the ***Spoiler Warning — Game of Thrones’ Season 5 Spoiler Ahead***
Honestly, is there anyone who hasn’t heard about Jon Snow yet?
Asked the inevitable, “Is he really dead?” Lombardo responded with certainty:
“Dead is dead as dead as dead. He be dead. Yes. Everything I’ve seen, heard, read, Jon Snow is indeed dead.”
What with fans stalking Kit Harington’s every move in Belfast, where the actor is hanging out with other Thrones cast members and casting doubt on all the He’s Really and Truly Dead claims, you might be wondering how everyone is remaining steadfast in their denials that Snow will somehow be brought back to life. Dead is dead is dead, right? Well, yes. Because even if Melisandre resurrects Jon, or he comes back as a White Walker, Snow can’t really be considered alive, can he? Either way, he’d still be dead, per se. Reanimated is still dead. Even undead, is really still dead. Mark my words, when Snow comes back, there’ll be quote after quote from the “He’s dead-ers,” and we’ll have to accept their truthfulness.