Game of Thrones Nearing Season 7, 8 Deal, HBO Exec Reflects on Overtaking the Novels
While creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were adamant back in 2014 that they were at the midpoint of the series, and that they intended for the show to run seven seasons, it seems a compromise has been made.
The series is very close to closing the deal on a seventh and eighth season, which hopefully means there's more story to tell (and not that there's been executive interference). With Martin missing his deadline for The Winds of Winter, the show will completely immerse itself in uncharted territory.
"You know, I was never sure but I always knew that given the relationship that David and Dan had with George and the closeness and respect that they have for each other that if tehy overtook the books or not, there would be a synchronic and organic conversation going on between them," HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler said at the Television Critics Association.
"That they would never do anything that would violate George's sense of the integrity of the story and I think that's absolutely true. Their relationship is such a wonderful thing to observe, the mutual respect that they have for each other that I know George would say, 'I trust these guys moving this arc forward.'"
Pepler is on board and supportive of his marketing team for the show, with Jon Snow being a major selling point in teasers and billboards. On Jon Snow, Plepler said "I think it was just titillation in the purest sense [of the marketing] and I wouldn't confirm or deny anything, but it worked very well."
Game of Thrones returns April 24.
Source: Slashfilm
