Moviefone Editorial

Tag: game of thrones prequel

  • ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Game of Thrones’ and More Updates

    President & CEO of Discovery Streaming & International JB Perrette.
    President & CEO of Discovery Streaming & International JB Perrette. Photograph by Jeff Kravitz/Warner Bros. Discovery.

    HBO Max is (nearly) dead! Long live… Max? Yes, the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service will be evolving into a shared app known simply as Max in May, and as part of today’s big announcement, the company has released a raft of news about shows that heretofore had existed more as rumor and speculation.

    Here, then, is your handy breakdown of the most exciting titles heading our way…

    Harry Potter: The Series

    Long rumored, but the subject of busy negotiations between HBO and controversial Potter creator J.K. Rowling, we now know that the ‘Harry Potter’ series is officially a go.

    According to the official announcement, the Potter books will become a decade-long series featuring a new cast. Each season will be authentic to the original books

    “We are delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way,” says Casey Bloys, Chairman of Max content. “‘Harry Potter’ is a cultural phenomenon and it is clear there is such an enduring love and thirst for the Wizarding World. In partnership with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling, this new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years.”

    “Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series,” adds J.K. Rowling, who will be an executive producer but not directly involved in running it.

    While the prospect of adaptations able to include all the details the movies couldn’t is certainly one to anticipate, HBO is at lengths to point out that the movies will still be available to stream and a key focal point for fandom.

    Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel ordered

    With ‘House of the Dragon’ already a big success for HBO, the company has naturally been busy looking to expand the chronicles of Westeros yet further. In the years since ‘Game of Thrones’ finished, there has been talk of spin-offs that flamed out (before ‘Dragon’, one concept made it to pilot but no further’) and chatter about various other options, including one put forward by Kit “Jon Snow” Harington.

    As it turns out, the next show given the official nod is another prequel, ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight’, which will see novelist George R.R. Martin adapting his “Dunc and Egg” novellas alongside fellow executive producer Ira Parker.

    Set a century before the events of ‘Thrones,’, the show will follow two unlikely heroes who wandered Westeros… A young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.

    Given that the series is still at an early stage, there’s no word on casting or when we might see it hit screens –– and fans are already facing a wait for Season 2 of ‘House of the Dragon’, which is back shooting, but won’t be airing until 2024.

    Matt Smith in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen in HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’

    ‘The Penguin’

    Also shooting right now is the first commissioned spin-off from Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ featuring Colin Farrell as scheming, ambitious criminal Oz Cobblepot, better known as The Penguin.

    Though he had relatively brief screen time in the movie, the new show, run by writer Lauren LeFranc (with Reeves among the executive producers) will span eight episodes and chart the rise of Farrell’s character as he looks to become the new crime kingpin of Gotham City.

    The cast for this one also includes Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Deirdre O’Connell and Clancy Brown, and the show should arrive on Max next year.

    Colin Farrell as Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot in Max's 'The Penguin.'
    Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’

    Related Article: Cristin Milioti will Co-Star Alongside Colin Farrell in ‘The Batman’ Penguin TV Spin-Off

    ‘True Detective: Night Country’

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    ‘True Detective’ will also return for Max, with the fourth season –– subtitled ‘Night Country’ –– starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis.

    The show is set in Ennis, Alaska, where the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station have vanished without a trace just as the long winter looms. To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice…

    The show, run this time by Issa López as opposed to creator Nic Pizzolatto, will hit Max this year.

    Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren and Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren in 'The Conjuring.'
    (L to R) Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren and Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren in ‘The Conjuring.’

    ‘The Conjuring’ TV spin-off

    We know very little about the company’s plans for a ‘Conjuring’ TV spin-off but given that James Wan’s original has so far spawned two main sequels, three movies about supernatural doll Annabelle and two (the second is due in September) featuring the demonic nun from ‘The Conjuring 2’, this was, we suppose a safe bet as the next step.

    Producer Peter Safran will be involved (when he’s not busy running DC Studios with James Gunn) and Wan is in talks to join him. What can say for sure? It promises to be spooky.

    ‘The Regime’

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    Originally titled ‘The Palace’, this new series stars Kate Winslet and, according to the limited synopsis, chronicles one year within the walls of the palace of a modern European regime as it begins to unravel.

    It hails from ‘Succession’ writing veteran Will Tracy, and certainly looks to share some sweary, satirical DNA with that show, even if it’s more about politics than business. Stephen Frears directs, and it’ll be on Max next year.

    ‘The Sympathizer’

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    Of interest to Park Chan Wook fans is ‘The Sympathizer’, a show he created with Canadian filmmaker Don McKellar.

    Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, the show is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.

    It features the likes of Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Vy Le, Alan Trong, Ky Duyen and Sandra Oh in its cast and –– both producing and playing several roles –– Robert Downey Jr.

    The series, like many of the titles announced today, will be on Max next year.

    Robert Downey Jr. in Max's 'The Sympathizer.'
    Robert Downey Jr. in Max’s ‘The Sympathizer.’ Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.

    Among other offerings announced or hinted at today? A ‘Rick and Morty’ anime series, a ‘Peter and the Wolf’ short film overseen by U2’s Bono, another spin-off from ‘The Big Bang’ theory and the official launch of prequel series ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’.

    Max will go live on May 23rd with three pricing plans: $9.99 a month/$99 a year for ad-supported tier Max Ad Light; $15.99/$149.99 for Max Ad Free, which offers two concurrent streams; and $19.99/$199.99 for Max Ultimate Ad Free, up to four concurrent streams.

    Chief Executive Officer and President of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav.
    Chief Executive Officer and President of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav. Photograph by Jeff Kravitz/Warner Bros. Discovery.

    Movies Similar to Upcoming ‘Max’ Series:

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  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel: HBO Still Has ‘No Timeline’

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel: HBO Still Has ‘No Timeline’

    Game of Thrones
    Helen Sloan/HBO

    “Game of Thrones” is over, but don’t expect HBO to rush out a prequel series.

    The premium network still hasn’t set a release date for the project starring Naomi Watts. During a recent TCA event, HBO President of Programming Casey Bloys told Deadline there’s “no timeline yet.” He added that he hasn’t even seen a cut.

    “I’m excited but no timeline yet,” the exec said.

    The project got a pilot order in June 2018 and has since put together a strong cast. It began filming earlier this year, in June in Ireland. While many plot details remain under wraps, we do know that the story is set thousands of years ahead of “Game of Thrones.” Bloys told Deadline that fans can expect to see “some references” to the hit show but not “direct references.” That’s similar to comments from George R.R. Martin during an EW interview late last year highlighting that the prequel deals with “a different and older world.”

    It’s still early, so don’t expect your curiosity to be sated anytime soon. We’ll just have to keep waiting for HBO to decide whether or not to pick up the series and, if so, when to release it.

    [via: Deadline]

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Will Include Starks and Direwolves

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Will Include Starks and Direwolves

    HBO

    In the final season of “Game of Thrones,” the White Walkers was were defeated in the course of one episode, But in HBO’s planned prequel, the White Walkers and their army of the dead will a looming threat for a very, very long time.

    Author George R.R. Martin, whose “A Song of Ice and Fire” books established the world of “Game of Thrones,” has revealed a few tantalizing details about the upcoming, still-untitled prequel in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

    The pilot, which was written by Jane Goldman with a story from Martin, takes place thousands of years before the events of “Game of Thrones.” It chronicles the world’s descent from the Golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour, the Long Night.

    While the prequel is set 5,000 years before the books/television show, Martin revealed that some things will remain familiar.

    There won’t be any Lannisters, Targaryens or dragons but, “The Starks will definitely be there,” he said.

    “Obviously the White Walkers are here — or as they’re called in my books, The Others — and that will be an aspect of it. There are things like direwolves and mammoths.”

    And if you had trouble keeping track of all the different houses of the Seven Kingdoms? Try keeping up with more than 100 kingdoms, Martin teased.

    He also emphasized the ensemble nature of the cast, which includes Naomi Watts, Miranda Richardson, and Josh Whitehouse.

    As for the title, which has yet to be announced, Martin still likes “The Long Night.” Unfortunately, that was the title of the Season 8 battle episode against the White Walkers.

    “I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind,” he said. “That would be pretty good.”

    The pilot began shooting in June under director S.J. Clark. HBO has yet to announce if it’ll be picked up to series nor when that series would premiere.

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Begins Filming in Northern Ireland

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Begins Filming in Northern Ireland

    HBO

    Fans who were unsatisfied with last month’s “Game of Thrones” series finale have a fresh opportunity to explore the world of Westeros, thanks to a new prequel series that’s been ordered to pilot at HBO. And now comes word that that episode has finally started filming, in a location that should look plenty familiar to “Thrones” devotees.

    According to Entertainment Weekly, the pilot for prequel “The Long Night” (the show’s current working title, which was also the name of an episode of the final season of “Thrones”) just began production in Northern Ireland. That’s the same country that served as home base for “Thrones” throughout the show’s entire eight-season run, and we can’t help but think that the creative team is planning on re-using some of the same locations for this new show.

    Of course, if that happens, the setting won’t look completely the same: “The Long Night” takes place thousands of years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” in a version of Westeros that is “a different and older world,” according to “A Song of Ice and Fire” author George R.R. Martin. And there’s still the possibility that the series could shoot in other countries, too, though that has not yet been confirmed yet, EW reports.

    “The Long Night,” created by Jane Goldman (“X-Men: First Class”) from a story by Martin, features headliner and Oscar nominee Naomi Watts, and a sprawling cast that includes Miranda Richardson in a key role, Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp, and Toby Regbo.

    If ordered to series, the prequel is expected to debut on HBO sometime in late 2020 or early 2021. Stay tuned.

    [via: Entertainment Weekly]

  • ‘Game Of Thrones’ Prequel Pilot Adds 5 Series Regulars to Cast

    ‘Game Of Thrones’ Prequel Pilot Adds 5 Series Regulars to Cast

    Game of Thrones
    HBO

    The world of the “Game of Thrones” prequel pilot just keeps expanding.

    HBO has added five actors in series regular roles: Marquis Rodriguez (“When They See Us”), John Simm (“Strangers”), Richard McCabe (“Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams”), John Heffernan (“Dracula”) and Dixie Egerickx (“The Secret Garden”).

    The pilot is written by Jane Goldman with a story from George R.R. Martin,. The untitled prequel takes place thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones. It chronicles the world’s descent from the Golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. And only one thing is for sure: From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the white walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend — it’s not the story we think we know.

    The new cast members join an already impressive list that includes Naomi Watts, Miranda Richardson, and Josh Whitehouse.

    The prequel has been in the works for awhile now, having survived a process where HBO put a handful of “Game of Thrones” spinoffs into development.

    The flagship series premieres its eighth and final season April 14.

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Adds Miranda Richardson in Key Role

    Warner Bros.

    The upcoming “Game of Thrones” prequel series has just added another familiar face to its cast, with British actress Miranda Richardson joining the ensemble.

    Richardson — known to worldwide audiences as Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter in the “Harry Potter” film series — has been cast in the as-yet-untitled new show in a series regular role. No further details about her character have been disclosed just yet. (Shocking, we know.)

    The actress joins fellow Oscar nominee Naomi Watts, who plays the lead role in the prequel, that of “a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret.” Other key members of the ensemble include Josh Whitehouse (“Poldark”), Naomi Ackie (“Star Wars: Episode IX”), Denise Gough (“Angels in America”), Jamie Campbell Bower (“Twilight”), Sheila Atim (“Harlots”), Ivanno Jeremiah (“Black Mirror”), Georgie Henley (“The Chronicles of Narnia”), Alex Sharp (“To the Bone”), and Toby Regbo (“Reign”).

    Author George R.R. Martin, whose “A Song of Ice and Fire” books are the basis for “Thrones,” helped develop the concept for the prequel series, alongside showrunner Jane Goldman (“X-Men: First Class”). Martin had previously said that the new show would explore Westeros’s ancient past.

    That’s reflected in the prequel’s official synopsis:

    “Taking place thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, the series chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. And only one thing is for sure: from the horrifying secrets of Westeros’s history to the true origin of the white walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.”

    No premiere date has been scheduled yet, but it will likely not premiere for at least a year after “Thrones” wraps its eight-season run this spring. Pencil in a tentative 2020 or 2021 debut.

    [via: Entertainment Weekly]

  • ‘Star Trek 4’ Director Leaves For ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel

    ‘Star Trek 4’ Director Leaves For ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel

     

    Paramount

    Is “Star Trek 4” going to get made? Not any time soon.

    According to Deadline, director S.J. Clarkson has opted to direct and executive produce HBO’s “Game of Thrones” prequel pilot instead. She was the first female director hired to helm a film in the “Trek” franchise, but now the project has been “shelved.”

    This comes after Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth reportedly walked away from the film after failed contract negotiations.

    Back in September, Pine said he’s still interested in returning as Captain Kirk, but doesn’t seem to have much more of an idea what’s going on than we do:  “I don’t know. I mean, I’d love to be involved, and we’ll see what happens. I’ll await the phone call. Until then, I look forward to it,” he told Variety.

    At least we still have “Star Trek Discovery” (now with young Spock!) and announced (and potential) projects with Patrick Stewart and Michelle Yeoh.

    [Via Deadline, ET]

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Series Casts 8 Rising Stars

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Series Casts 8 Rising Stars

    Reign Toby Regbo
    The CW

    The population of the “Game of Thrones” prequel series is growing.

    Eight up-and-coming actors have been cast as series regulars in HBO’s as-yet-untitled drama, which is set thousands of years before the events of the flagship.

    Joining already cast stars Naomi Watts and Josh Witehouse are: Naomi Ackie (“Star Wars: Episode IX”), Denise Gough (Tony-nominated for “Angels in America”), Jamie Campbell Bower (“Twilight”), Sheila Atim (“Harlots”), Ivanno Jeremiah (“Black Mirror”), Georgie Henley (“The Chronicles of Narnia”), Alex Sharp (“To the Bone”) and Toby Regbo (“Reign”).

    The story chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. And as HBO’s official synopsis teases, “”Only one thing is for sure: From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend — it’s not the story we think we know.”

    Watts plays a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret, but the other character descriptions have not been revealed.

    The pilot is based on a story by writer Jane Goldman and franchise author George R.R. Martin, with the script by Goldman. SJ Clarkson, who will be the first woman to direct a “Star Trek” movie, will helm the pilot.

    “Game of Thrones” is set to conclude after an eighth and final season starting this April. It’s unknown when the prequel, should it be picked up after the pilot, would air.

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Series Deals With ‘Different and Older World,’ Says George R.R. Martin

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Series Deals With ‘Different and Older World,’ Says George R.R. Martin

    Game of Thrones
    Helen Sloan/HBO

    The noble houses of the Seven Kingdoms have kept us enthralled for the last several years, but we’ll see a world without them in HBO’s upcoming “Game of Thrones” prequel series.

    Co-creator and executive producer George R.R. Martin chatted with Entertainment Weekly about the project, which is currently being called “The Long Night.” The author cautioned fans that although the two shows are related, a lot will be different. In large part, that’s because the prequel is set roughly 5,000 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.”

    “We’re dealing with a different and older world,” Martin told EW.

    He explained that the move backward in time means “Westeros is a very different place.” King’s Landing won’t even exist yet, and as a result, there’s no Iron Throne, either. Meanwhile, Valyria will have “hardly begun to rise,” so Targaryens and dragons will also be absent.

    Although fans probably would have enjoyed seeing familiar elements, Martin thinks the changes ultimately shouldn’t be a problem. Speaking of the older world he’s created, he said “hopefully that will be part of the fun of the series.”

    The show’s official description also highlights the differences. It says in part that the show “chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour” and “it’s not the story we think we know.” It will teach us more about Westerosi history, the white walkers origins, and “the mysteries of the East,” among other interesting topics.

    The pilot, which stars Oscar nominee Naomi Watts, is expected to be filmed in 2019.

    [via: EW]

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Casts ‘Poldark’s’ Josh Whitehouse as Male Lead

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Casts ‘Poldark’s’ Josh Whitehouse as Male Lead

    Josh Whitehouse Poldark
    PBS

    The “Game of Thrones” prequel has found another lead.

    “Poldark” star Josh Whitehouse is joining HBO’s prequel pilot , just a day after the network announced the casting of Naomi Watts.

    Whitehouse is best known for his role as Hugh Armitage on “Poldark” and will appear in the upcoming remake of “Valley Girl” opposite Nicolas Cage.

    While Watts’ character was described as “a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret,” details of Whitehouse’s role remain unknown.

    The prequel is set thousands of years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” which will conclude with an eighth and final season next year on HBO. It chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour.

    The official synopsis teases: “From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend — it’s not the story we think we know.”

    HBO began developing a handful of “Game of Thrones” spinoffs last year, but only Jane Goldman’s script (based on a story by herself and author George R.R. Martin) received a greenlight to make a pilot.

    The pilot is likely to film early next year, though a director has yet to be hired.