Game of Thronesauthor George R.R. Martin explains why he doesn’t like adaptation changes after venting his feelings aboutHouse of the Dragon.Martin is currently producing a short film based on his childhood friend Howard Waldrop’s short stories,The Ugly Chickens. Due to difficulties finding funding for a half-hour film,Martin self-funded the project, with Michael Cassutt writing the screenplay and Mark Raso helming the production.
Martin explained toThe Hollywood Reporterwhy he only made one change toThe Ugly Chickens. The producer admitted thathe’s a strong believer in “a faithful adaptation,“andhe’s often annoyed by any changes made to his work for one primary reason. Check out what he said:
Maybe I’m one of the few people in Hollywood who still thinks that when you adapt a work of art, a novel, a short story, you should do a faithful adaptation. [It] annoys me too much becausethey change things and I don’t think they generally improve them.
What This Means For Martin’s Short Films & Other Works
The Ugly Chickens Is Mainly A Faithful Adaptation
It’s safe to assume thatany changes made to Waldrop’s short stories in Martin’s film adaptation would be necessary and respectful.The Ugly Chickens' only change to the material was to makethe lead character a woman instead of a man. Given that the short film starsSupernatural’s Felicia Dayas the enthusiastic and courageous professor who sets out on a cross-country trip to find a supposedly extinct bird, the change could be made to accompany the casting and strengthen the story’s themes.
Martin has been vocal about his dislike ofchanges made inHouse of the DragonandGame of Thrones, with the infamous “Blood and Cheese” scene from season 2 being the most memorable one. The scene completely changed what initially happened in the book, whichMartin said severelydecreased the emotional impactit should’ve had. TheGame of Thronesauthor is not looking to repeat the same treatment in his effort to bring his childhood friend’s work onto the big screen.
Our Take On The House Of The Dragon Changes
Some Are Great, Some Don’t Make Sense
Game of Throneshas plenty of book changesthat don’t make sense, and the same also applies toHouse of the Dragon.While changes like creating a romance arc between Alicent and Criston Cole give the show a soap opera edge,the spark between Rhaenyra and Mysaria in season 2 has less urgency. Aemond’s show-only betrayal arc against his brother Aegon makes his character more dangerous and less truthworthy, but Martin was totally right about the show having a weaker Blood and Cheese scene.
Adaptations are created based on someone else’s existing work, and most of the time, it’s based on a work’s established success and fan base.Unnecessary changes can be very dishearteningto the original creator andcan potentiallyalienate the fandom. While it’s understandable for adaptations in different media and forms to make adjustments, as inHouse of the Dragon, changes should be made with respect and care.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
