Game of Thrones producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have revealed that they once considered ending the hit HBO fantasy series with a trilogy of films in order for the series’ climactic battle to live up to the promise teased since the very beginning.
While production cost was estimated to reach $5 million per episode prior to the final season, the producers behind the series explained to Entertainment Weekly that there was no way to deliver on the final battle for the known world on the current budget. Rather than dole out the final six episodes of the series weekly on the premium cabler, they considered releasing the final six hours of the series as three two-hour films in theaters, rounding out the series with a trilogy. Benioff said:
“We have a very generous budget from HBO, but we know what’s coming down the line and, ultimately, it’s not generous enough. It’s what we’re working towards in a perfect world. We end up with an epic fantasy story but with the level of familiarity and investment in the characters that are normally impossible in a two-hour movie.”
But the executives over at HBO didn’t go for the idea. Instead, they assured the producers that they would have everything they needed to achieve “a summer tentpole-size spectacle.” The result ended up being an increased budget costing more than $15 million per episode. Weiss said:
“They put their money where their mouths are — literally stuffed their mouth full of million-dollar bills, which don’t exist anymore.”
Benioff and Weiss return to executive produce the final season alongside Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger and Bernadette Caulfield, with Bryan Cogman, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis and George R.R. Martin serving as co-executive producers. Benioff, Weiss, Cogman and Dave Hill wrote the final six episodes which have been directed by David Nutter and Miguel Sapochnik, with the series finale helmed by Benioff and Weiss.
Game of Thrones stars Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister, Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth, Carice van Houten as Melisandre, Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, Conleth Hill as Varys, Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy, John Bradley as Samwell Tarly, Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth, Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane, Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark, Jerome Flynn as Bronn, Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont, and Hannah Murray as Gilly.
Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for the latest news on the final season of Game of Thrones as we learn it.
Source: EW
