Game Of Thrones Prequel Cancelled (Or One Of Them, Anyway)

It would appear that the bonkers very, very early prequel to the Game of Thrones franchise is a no-go. Variety confirmed with unnamed sources that the prequel that would've otherwise starred Naomi Watts will not be moving forward – or at least the pilot will not be moving forward. And the most hardcore novel-only fans of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series let loose a metaphorical collective sigh of relief.

The Game of Thrones prequel got far enough that Jane Goldman was attached as showrunner and co-wrote the basic story for the new show. Goldman and Martin were attached as executive producers with Game of Thrones executive producer Vince Gerardis. Other executive producers included SJ Clarkson, Daniel Zelman, James Farrell, and Jim Danger Gray, as well as co-executive producer Chris Symes.

A variety of actors were attached to the project before today's news. Included amongst said actors were Denise Gough, Josh Whitehouse, Alex Sharp, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Dixie Egerickx, Toby Regbo, Miranda Richardson, Marquis Rodriquez, John Simm, Naomi Ackie, John Heffernan, and Richard McCabe.

UPDATE: It would appear that the first episode – indeed the pilot itself – had been at least partially filmed, with Clarkson directing. There may also be another prequel in the making with Martin and Ryan Condal at the helm – that project would be set 300 years before Game of Thrones, tracking the "the beginning of the end for House Targaryen."

It would seem that while Variety confirmed with separate sources, it was the folks at Deadline that reported the change first.

HBO has not released an official comment on the situation – but we're keeping an eye on it as it develops! It would not be a shock to find that this pilot cancellation were transformed into a new pilot with different cast and/or crew – the first Game of Thrones pilot was also, reportedly, a big giant mess as well.