We all know the “Game of Thrones” series was very expensive for HBO. The network was setting aside blockbuster film money for episodes of the fantasy series by the time the final season rolled around. And after one more major expenditure for a single pilot episode of the first proposed spinoff series, it appears HBO is now deciding to be a bit more frugal.
As revealed in the new book, “Tinderbox: HBO’s Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers,” by James Andrew Miller (via EW), it appears HBO didn’t skimp when it came to spending money on the first proposed “Game of Thrones” spinoff. In fact, it seems as if the executives believe they overspent, which led to a reevaluation of how they order future spinoffs.
For those that don’t remember, the upcoming “House of the Dragon” wasn’t the first ‘Thrones’ spinoff that HBO put into production. The network initially approved an untitled spinoff, many called it “The Long Night,” which was set to star Naomi Watts. That spinoff filmed a pilot episode before it was eventually passed on. And apparently, that was a very, very expensive process.
“They had spent over $30 million on a ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel pilot when I got there,” former WarnerMedia chairman Bob Greenblatt explained. “And when I saw a cut of it in a few months after I arrived, I said to [HBO chief content officer] Casey [Bloys], ‘This just doesn’t work and I don’t think it delivers on the premise of the original series.’ And he didn’t disagree, which actually was a relief. So we unfortunately decided to pull the plug on it. There was enormous pressure to get it right and I don’t think it would have worked.”
So, after the expensive lesson, things changed at HBO. When it came time to make a decision about “House of the Dragon,” Greenblatt and Bloys decided to forgo the pilot stage and make a decision about ordering a full season, just to avoid the potential loss of more money.
“I’m the one who encouraged Casey to green-light [‘House of the Dragon’] to series,” said Greenblatt. “I said, ‘Let’s not risk $30 million on a pilot.’ You can’t spend $30 million on a pilot and then not pick it up. So I said, ‘Let’s not make a pilot. Let’s get a great series that we feel good about, and just make it. Or not.’ They made the first pilot because they were protecting their own downside and protecting that brand, which I understand, but it was critical that we somehow continue that franchise and move quickly, which meant getting the series into production asap. That’s always a nail-biter, but I think the new show that is coming will be incredible.”
We’ll have to see if the “House of the Dragon” gamble pays off when the series hits HBO sometime in 2022. And we’ll have to see if the network continues the trend of skipping pilots for future ‘Thrones’ spinoffs.