If you told someone 10 years ago that the Game of Thrones universe would be filled with spin-offs and animated shows, they would’ve thought you were mad. Yet, that is the state we find ourselves in today. Yesterday, we learned through its creator, George R.R. Martin, that three animated spin-off shows were in the pipeline, but only one was revealed. This then begs the question: What are the two other projects in development?
So far, we know that Corlys Velaryon’s Nine Voyages will be brought to life in an animation rather than the originally intended live-action series. One of the major reasons behind this shift is the resources a live-action project set in the sea would demand, especially in regards to budget. Given this, it stands to reason that the decision to adapt a spin-off story as an animation would likely come into play as a cost-saving measure.
The fantasy universe that GRRM created is beautiful, expansive, and filled with all kinds of supernatural elements. From White Walkers to Dragons, the amount of magical elements in this world makes it very difficult to adapt without a big budget. I’d think anything that involves Dragons, White Walkers, Direwolves, or Giants would do better as an animation, or rather, would have an easier time getting the green light.
Starting with what we know, in 2022, news emerged that HBO had canceled some of the Game of Thrones spin-offs that were in the works. Allegedly, this included Flea Bottom and 10,000 ships. There’s no concrete evidence on what the plot of Flea Bottom would have looked like, but we can make the assumption that it would have revolved around the normal, everyday people that dwell in the King’s Landing slum.
To give such a show any sense of thrill, producers and scriptwriters would have to rely heavily on its characters. Essentially, the show would need real-life people to capture the full range of emotions associated with a life of abject poverty. Only then can people resonate with the characters and, more so, the story. Long story short, Flea Bottom will likely not be an animation if it ever moves forward.
10,000 Ships recounts the heroic tales of Princess Nymeria, the warrior queen who led Rhoynar refugees to settle in Dorne. Nearly conquered by the Valyrian Freehold, the Rhoynar were led by Nymeria out of Essos using a fleet of 10,000 ships that sailed all the way to Dorne.
Determined not to flee again, Nymeria ordered her people to burn all 10,000 ships. This way, no one would have the choice to leave if things got tough. Eventually, this proved to be an effective strategy, as she later united her forces with Mors Martell, the local king, and birthed a unified Dorne kingdom.
Before they fled Essos, the Rhoynar were engaged in war with the Valyrians, who subdued them through the power of Dragons. Everything about this story would likely make a live-action adaptation an expensive venture. I’d wager this is one of the spin-offs that’s being adapted into an animated series.
One of the biggest stories in A Song of Ice and Fire that has not yet made its way to screens is Aegon’s conquest. The tale of the Dragon king who brought all six of the seven Westeros kingdoms to heel has been told far and wide to every living soul that can hear. More than anything, the triumphs of Aegon the Conqueror are what I am most eager for.
I dare say this would be the most ambitious project HBO would take on besides Game of Thrones. Of course, this would make this story a perfect candidate for an animation. However, given how much we’ve heard about Balerion the Black Dread, I’m highly skeptical that GRRM would shortchange his loyal fans with an animated dragon. Or is this simply copium? Anyhow, I doubt Aegon’s conquest is the second animation GRRM was talking about.
This finally leads me to what I think is the second animation in progress, The Golden Empire. GRRM confirmed that an animation with the working title of The Golden Empire was in the works, which would be set in the fabled land of Yi Ti.
Modeled after Imperial China, Yi Ti is a nation in Essos that’s described as the oldest surviving continuous civilization in the ASOIAF world. Its jungles are rumored to be home to basilisks, venomous reptilian creatures that can tear a large dog into pieces. In fact, during the first of his nine voyages, Corlys Velaryon visited the Golden Empire of Yi Ti, where he acquired vast amounts of silk, jade, and spices that made House Velaryon extremely wealthy.
All these facts make The Golden Empire the most likely prospect of the second animation. Just the mere fact that Corlys Velaryon gained his wealth from the Yi Ti empire gives this animation a good intersection with Nine Voyages. We all know how studios love connected universes nowadays. Is it a coincidence that the latter was turned into an animation? Only time will tell.
Share your thoughts with us on which projects you think will be animated in the comments section below.
