Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is alive and well and knows all about the Game of Thrones fan petition to redo Season 8. In fact, the actor went a step further than acknowledging he knew about it. Coster-Waldau, who played Jaime Lannister throughout the series’ run, revealed that he wanted to sign it. At this point, you are probably wondering why.
Was it so he could redo Season 8’s much-hyped and controversial Battle of Winterfell? Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has acknowledged Game of Thrones’ co-showrunner was ticked off about it too. Or was it to redo the ending altogether? Coster-Waldau revealed his interesting take on signing the petition, telling Variety:
I was aware of the petition for a new ending, which I thought was hilarious. I almost wanted to donate to that petition. HBO saying, ‘You’re right, so many people want it, we’re going to do it.’ I think everyone had their own opinion. I find the world of fandom really interesting. Everyone wanted something specific and different from what they got. It’s a combination of — you imagine an ending; but also, I think if you’re a hardcore fan, it was really upsetting that it ended. You lived with this for eight seasons. There is still a massive community dedicated to Game of Thrones. I think there was a real fear that was going to go away. It had to end.
The cast of Game of Thrones has periodically spoken about the fan petition, which as of this writing, has garnered nearly 2 million views. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s comments regarding the petition and why he would have signed it echoes some of his past statements. When the cast showed up at last year’s Comic-Con, Coster-Waldau indicated the show ending in the first place was part of what made it tough.
It is an intriguing thought. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was never at any risk to reprise his role as Jaime Lannister for a redo of Season 8. Following the petition’s tremendous response, HBO acknowledged that execs never seriously considered remaking it. Game of Thrones fans just have to deal with the reality of what is and will likely forever be.
In the wake of Game of Thrones’ controversy, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s co-stars have spoken out. Coster-Waldau’s long-time screen partner Lena Headey expressed her conflicted feelings over Cersei’s final storyline. Meanwhile, Coster-Waldau’s other co-stars have not minced words over the petition. Nathalie Emmanuel took issue with fans asking “for receipts on art,” while Carice Van Houten called fans “ungrateful,” considering everything that came before the ending.
Gemma Whelan, who played Theon Greyjoy’s sister Yara, recently said she still thinks fans got the ending wrong. Most of the controversy among Game of Thrones fans seems to ping from Season 8’s turning point for Daenerys as she succumbed to her worst impulses. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s final storyline as Jaime Lannister also garnered some pushback.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau may not have to worry about fielding questions about Game of Thrones for too much longer. Talk surrounding Game of Thrones’ prequel series, House of the Dragon, should start to pick up. Casting has already started on the much-anticipated series.
In the meantime, Game of Thrones fans are left to wonder what could have happened if a lot of things were different about the ending. There are still some things bothering me about it. For now, though, you can currently stream every Game of Thrones season on HBO Max. While you wait for the Targaryen-centric prequel, House of the Dragon, to arrive in 2022, check out this fall’s premieres.
