AGame of Thronesmovie is in development at Warner Bros., and they may have already found the perfect project. HBO was exploring potential spinoffs even beforeGame of Thrones’ endingback in 2019, and it’s only just getting started. So far, one show has made it to air (House of the Dragon), and another will debut in 2025 (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), but there’s a lot more to come.
Among theGame of Thronesspinoffsin the works are a show about Aegon’s Conquest, and one about Corlys Velaryon’s great voyages around the known world. With the original show itself acclaimed for its cinematic spectacle, it isn’t surprising there are nowreports of aGame of Thronesmovie; indeed,Thronesshowrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss even wanted to end the show with a trilogy of movies at one point. Westeros would presumably lend itself well to a big screen epic, and one of those spinoffs would be a particularly apt choice for a movie.
Why Aegon’s Conquest Would Be Better As A Movie, Not A TV Show
The Story Is Better Suited To The Big Screen
The Conquest itself is a relatively straightforward storyline: Aegon, alongside his sister-wives Rhaenys and Visenya, decides to conquerthe Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Although the other kingdoms are powerful in their own right,the Targaryens have three huge dragons at their disposal, which makes them pretty much unbeatable. Thus, they move through Westeros, allied with some houses and either forcing others to bend the knee, or outright destroying them.
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The problem with that is there’s a lack of stakes and suspense. Not just because we knowAegon the Conqueroris victorious, but because he’s so much more powerful. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad story by any means, butsince a lot of it is just Aegon winning, then I’m not sure if there’s as much value in doing the actual Conquest as, say, a 10-episode season of TV, let alone something longer. In contrast, as a 2.5-hour movie - with the budget of an entire season behind it - then it could be spectacular.
Aegon’s Conquest has not yet been officially ordered to series by HBO.
It could start withAegon’s song of ice and fire prophecy, and then have a few major action set pieces, such as the Field of Fire or the burning of Harrenhal. The former is one of the most brutal events in House Targaryen’s history, as all three dragons descend upon the battlefield, leading to the submission of the Lannisters and the extinction of House Gardener. With a budget of, say, $150-200m, they could be among the most jaw-dropping dragon scenes ever put on the big screen, and honestly, I’m drooling a little bit just thinking of it in IMAX, especially if Ramin Djawadi returns to do the score.
But it would also be fascinating to see the POV of the people being conquered, showing it like a disaster movie or a true horror of war scenario as they face the unfathomable might and fury of the dragons.
With a more streamlined narrative, a movie could split its focus and work on a couple of levels.With the development of Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys, we can get something that feels like a historical epic… only with fantasy thrown into the mix. But it would also be fascinating to see the POV of the people being conquered, showing it like a disaster movie or a true horror of war scenario as they face the unfathomable might and fury of the dragons. That would give it a thematic richness, and a tight, compelling story, to go with the visual splendor.
An Aegon’s Conquest TV Show Should Could Still Work After A Movie
The Movie Could Set It Up Nicely
An Aegon’s Conquest movie wouldn’t even need to rule out there being a TV show afterward. The film could end with Aegon being crowned, Balerion melting down swords, and the Iron Throne being created, which feels worthy of a movie-level event. Indeed, when theAegon’s Conquest spinoffwas reported, it was mentioned there could be a feature film alongside a TV show, so there’s certainly potential for this idea, and the writer attached, Mattson Tomlin, has big screen experience withThe Batman.
Notably, he doesn’t conquer Dorne, and the First Dornish War is something that could actually form the backbone of a TV show after a movie.
The most interesting parts of the story come after Aegon is crowned. Notably, hedoesn’tconquer Dorne, and the First Dornish War is something that could actually form the backbone of a TV show after a movie.That would also have the benefit of finally doing Dorne justice, afterGame of Thronesmade a mess of its own Dorne storyline, and give the conflict a bit more meat on the bones, since it’s where Aegon’s attempts to take over Westeros actually falter.
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From there, it could continue on with the matter of the remainder of Aegon’s rule, and then even his death and line of succession, telling the stories of his sons, Aenys and Maegor. That could allow for a deeper exploration of key parts of the Targaryen dynasty, while having the Conquest itself stand alone as an incredible cinematic event.
Aegon’s Conquest Could Be A Major Hit As A Movie
It Would Surely Have Mass Appeal
AGame of Thronesmovie is an intriguing prospect, but for Warner Bros. it also needs to be something that could justify and earn back the budget it would likely require. While it’s possible to do it on a smaller scale,ifThronesis going to the big screen, then surely the whole point is making something epic, which means at least $100m, but more likely in the $150-200m range. And if that’s the case, then, while the franchise is popular, I think there are only a few options that would have enough mainstream appeal:
The first option seems unlikely and risky to the show’s legacy, even afterGame of Thronesseason 8’s backlash. The second is possible, but would probably need more than one movie to work. The third is where the franchise interest already seems to lie - see: the success ofHouse of the Dragon- and, with that, Aegon’s Conquest is the obvious story to tell.
Status
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
An adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s The Tales of Dunk & Egg novellas
Season 1 releasing in 2025 on HBO and Max
House of the Dragon
Ongoing Game of Thrones prequel, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war, the Dance of the Dragons
Season 3 expected in 2026; season 4 will be the last
Aegon’s Conquest
The story of King Aegon I Targaryen and the conquest of Westeros with his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya
In-development
10,000 Ships
A spinoff about Princess Nymeria, who led her people the Rhoynar to Dorne after a war with the Valyrian Freehold
Nine Voyages
An animated show about Corlys Velaryon’s Great Voyages, where he sailed around the Known World
The Golden Empire (unofficial)
An animated show set in empire of Yi Ti, which is in the far East of Essos
Another live-action Game of Thrones spinoff
Another animated Game of Thrones spinoff
A Game of Thrones movie
It could not only work as a movie story-wise, but selling it as one of the most important stories of Westeros' history, the Targaryen story, and plenty of dragons, would be a huge draw, making this a no-brainer if aGame of Thronesmovie really is going to happen.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
A prequel set in the Game of Thrones universe, Aegon’s Conquest comes from writer Mattson Tomlin. It will follow Aegon Targaryen as he invades and conquers many of the seven kingdoms to unify them all. The show will explore Aegon’s rise to power and subsequent fall and is expected to provide new context on specific events in House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones.
