The legacy of Game of Thrones might’ve been slightly damaged by its controversial final season, but HBO is clearly hoping to fix that with its never-ending procession of upcoming spinoffs. And the studio is embracing all the mediums as they seek to expand the franchise in every way possible. Back in January, we learned an animated series was in development. Half a year later, we’re now hearing that two further animated projects are on their way.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed this news this Friday, as well as unveiling the first plot details about the project that was announced back in January. That one will focus on the Golden Empire of Yi Ti, a region in the continent of Essos, near the south-eastern limits of the known world. Yi Ti is considered one of the oldest and most advanced societies in the GOT universe. Though it never actually featured in the original series, it was referenced. George R.R. Martin based the civilization on imperial China, in the same way that Westeros is modelled on medieval Europe.
THR notes that HBO is keeping any story points about the two newly announced animated series under wraps at this time. However, the trade was able to reveal that a previously announced – live-action – spinoff is no longer happening. Flea Bottom, about the notorious King’s Landing slum, isn’t moving forward after all. That makes it the second cancelled spinoff, after Naomi Watts vehicle Bloodmoon failed to get past the pilot stage back in 2019.
Needless to say, this trio of animated productions would continue to aim at an adult audience, as with the rest of the franchise and as per the current boom in popularity for adult animated dramas. While we wait for these projects to gain steam, the first Game of Thrones spinoff out the gate is set to be House of the Dragon, the prequel following the Targaryen Civil War and starring Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy, which is due to premiere on HBO in 2022.