The final season of Game of Thrones might have gotten a bad wrap (to put it lightly) but that doesn’t mean I’m any less of a fan.
Season 8 aside, GOT is still one of the greatest things on television and you bet your arse I still bop along to the theme song every time I hear it and fangirl over any Thrones related content.
So when it was revealed that GOT was getting a prequel I was super excited.
The series, called Bloodmoon, takes place thousands of years before the time of Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen. The story focuses on the Long Night during the Age Of Heroes. Well, it was meant to. The prequel just got cancelled.
According to reports, Showrunner Jane Goldman has been emailing the cast and crew of the project to tell them that the pilot is dead. Because there’s no better way to break it off with someone than over email.
The reason for the show being cancelled isn’t fully known. Some reports suggest the initial cut of the pilot episode was not well received, while others suggest issues during filming.
There is also speculation about budget complications – making a HBO show ain’t cheap. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss’ Game of Thrones pilot cost a cool $10 million.
Bloodmoon being cancelled is sad news not just because the prequel actually sounded good and we won’t get to watch it, but because it wasn’t just any old TV show – it was female led.
Bloodmoon had Naomi Watts in the lead role as well as a female Showrunner, Jane Goldman, and a female executive producer, S.J. Clarkson.
The women were well and truly at the forefront of this one which is huge deal when you think about just how big a deal Game of Thrones is. It’s not often female writers and creatives get to take the helm on big projects nor do they get the recognition they deserve. Names like Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, and David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are heard (and recognised) more commonly than names like Patty Jenkins, Sofia Coppola, and Mary Harron.
Don’t believe me? Name more than one film each of those women directed.
Now do the same for the men.
With Bloodmoon reportedly being cancelled, the ladies won’t get a chance to shine. Instead, HBO have announced another prequel called House of The Dragon about the history of the Targaryen dynasty.
This prequel will be co-created by George RR Martin and Ryan Condal. Miguel Sapochnik will partner with Condal as showrunner and will direct the pilot and additional episodes.
They’re all men – shocker.