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George R.R. Martin details 'Game of Thrones' spinoffs

"Every one of the concepts under discussion is a prequel, rather than a sequel," the author said.

By Annie Martin
George R.R. Martin attends the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 2015. The author said Sunday that there are five "successor shows" to "Game of Thrones" in development at HBO. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
George R.R. Martin attends the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 2015. The author said Sunday that there are five "successor shows" to "Game of Thrones" in development at HBO. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

May 15 (UPI) -- George R.R. Martin is sharing new details about the Game of Thrones spinoffs.

The 68-year-old author said in a blog post Sunday that there are five "successor shows" with new characters in development at HBO. Game of Thrones, which will return for a seventh season in July, is based on Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series.

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"For what it's worth, I don't especially like the term "spinoff," and I don't think it really applies to these new projects. What we're talking about are new stories set in the 'secondary universe' (to borrow Tolkien's term) of Westeros and the world beyond, the world I created for A Song of Ice and Fire," Martin clarified.

"None of these new shows will be 'spinning off' from GOT in the traditional sense. We are not talking Joey or AfterMASH or even Frazier or Lou Grant, where characters from one show continue on to another," he added.

"Every one of the concepts under discussion is a prequel, rather than a sequel," the writer explained. "Some may not even be set on Westeros. Rather than 'spinoff' or 'prequel,' however, I prefer the term 'successor show.' That's what I've been calling them."

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Martin will work with Max Borenstein, Jane Goldman, Brian Helgeland, Carly Wray, and a fifth, secret writer, on the five successor shows. HBO has ordered pilot scripts for the projects, but has yet to greenlight pilot and series orders.

"I do think it's very unlikely that we'll be getting four (or five) series. At least not immediately," Martin said. "How many pilots will be filmed, and how many series might come out of that, remains to be seen."

Martin denied the successor shows will adapt his Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas or focus on Robert's Rebellion. He said Tales of Dunk and Egg will eventually make it to TV, while Robert's Rebellion will be resolved in A Song of Ice and Fire.

"When the day comes that I've finished telling all my tales of Dunk & Egg, then we'll do a tv show about them... but that day is still a long ways off," the author said.

HBO first announced the successor shows this month. Game of Thrones showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff will executive produce the projects, which will "explore different time periods in George R.R. Martin's vast and rich universe."

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