After numerous 'Game of Thrones' spin-off series coming and going, another prequel series has somehow risen out of the ashes.
HBO is cashing in on George R. R. Martin's back catalogue of fantasy books by giving the go-ahead to the author's 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' prequels.
Set approximately 90 years before the events of 'A Song of Ice and Fire', the prequel series of novellas is made up of three entries. 'The Hedge Knight', 'The Sworn Sword', and 'The Mystery Knight' were published by Martin between 1998 and 2010, and follow two historical figures from the 'Game of Thrones' timeline.
"Dunk", who is the future Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Duncan the Tall, and "Egg", the future king Aegon V Targaryen, are the two characters who will lead the prequel. We envision is won't be too dissimilar from the time Arya and the Hound journeyed together for a time in the original series.
Variety has learned that the series is still in early development at the TV network, with no creators or talent currently attached to the project.
The fantasy author, notorious for writing many 'Game of Thrones' spin-off books (but leaving the main series til the last minute) previously stated he didn't want these novellas to be turned into a TV series. He wrote on his blog: "I've only written and published three novellas to date, and there are at least seven or eight or ten more I want to write.
"We all know how slow I am, and how fast a television show can move."
There are also rumours that a series based on King Robert's Rebellion against Mad King Aerys Targaryen could be in the works at HBO.
'Tales of Dunk and Egg' is now the second 'Game of Thrones' prequel series (for now) that we will see in the years to come. The other series much further in development, 'House of the Dragon', will debut on HBO Max in 2022.
The series will star Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D'Arcy, and Paddy Considine, and is expected to begin production around now. A very brief tease was given at the end of the HBO Max 2021 lineup sizzle.
