Game of Thrones fans knew its prequel series would be set well before the events of the original. Who better than the creator of the Game of Thrones universe to clarify how far before? George R.R. Martin has shared new insights on the prequel's timeline and some other key facts. Martin revealed:
'10,000 years' is mentioned in the novels. But you also have places where maesters say, 'No, no, it wasn't 10,000, it was 5,000.' . . . So I think it's closer to 5,000 years. Westeros is a very different place. There's no King's Landing. There's no Iron Throne. There are no Targaryens -- Valyria has hardly begun to rise yet with its dragons and the great empire that it built. We're dealing with a different and older world and hopefully that will be part of the fun of the series. [Prequel showrunner Jane Goldman] is a tremendous talent.
It is hard to imagine a Game of Thrones-fueled world without those ingredients. As George R.R. Martin points out to EW, that should be part of the fun. After all these seasons, fans will have the chance to see the world that brought the one we know to bear.
One of the many key differences of the prequel? There will be no King's Landing. That setting has served as a crucial location throughout Game of Thrones' run. It has been the locale of countless intrigues and shockers. Accordingly, we will all have to wait and see what the prequel serves up in its absence. It is a tough act to follow. Or in this case, is it precede?
The lack of an Iron Throne is another big thing that will be missing from the prequel. It has served as an iconic visual component of the series. In many ways, the Iron Throne is a character in its own right. The powerful visualization of authority has driven a large amount of the tale we have come to know and love.
Without the Iron Throne, the prequels will be tested to set up a new conflict for its story to revolve around. Survival is an equally pivotal aspect to Game of Thrones. Perhaps it will not be manifested into a figure as recognizable as the Iron Throne. Conversely, while the Iron Throne may not be its physical representation, a fight for power could still be present.
Another major thing that will be missing from the prequels is the dragons. For those of us who love the direwolves, this could be refreshing news. As fans well know, Game of Thrones has always attributed more of its resources to bringing the symbol of House Targaryen to life than House Stark's.
When Game of Thrones begins, we know that direwolves are going extinct. By flashing the story back in time, we may be able to revisit the period when they were thriving. Thus, restoring the direwolves to a more prevalent role than the one they have experienced in the original series.
The lastly missing piece that George R.R. Martin shared would be missing is the Targaryens. That is a big one. House Targaryen has been at the fore of Game of Thrones' story. Despite the absence of the Targaryens, messed up family histories should still be in play. Can you really have a Game of Thrones-style world without them?
While a premiere window has yet to be set for its first prequel, the one for Game of Thrones' eighth season has. The final installment will premiere April 2019 on HBO. Lots of new content is arriving this fall and throughout the midseason to keep your TV appetite satiated.
