George R.R. Martin Breaks Silence on Naomi Watts-Led 'Game of Thrones' Prequel Cancellation

Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin is finally reacting to HBO pulling the plug on the highly-anticipated prequel show set thousands of years prior to the award-winning flagship series. The Naomi Watts-led project was announced dead this week by the network, but little reason was given as to why.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Martin addressed the cancelled show on his blog this week, saying he was “saddened to hear” the news. He wrote:

“Jane Goldman is a terrific screenwriter, and I enjoyed brainstorming with her. I do not know why HBO decided not to go to series on this one, but I do not think it had to do with House of the Dragon. This was never an either/or situation. If television has room enough for multiple CSI and Chicago shows… well, Westeros and Essos are a lot bigger, with thousands of years of history and enough tales and legends and characters for a dozen shows. Heartbreaking as it is to work for years on a pilot, to pour your blood and sweat and tears into it, and have it come to nought [sic], it’s not at all uncommon. I’ve been there myself, more than once. I know Jane and her team are feeling the disappointment just now, and they have all my sympathy… with my thanks for all their hard work, and my good wishes for whatever they do next.”

Though Martin is disappointed, he spent the majority of post then discussing the newly-confirmed prequel, titled House of the Dragon. The acclaimed author explained that, while he is excited for the new series, he will not be writing any scripts until he has “finished and delivered Winds of Winter.”

It seems that Martin, along with his GoT fandom, has a lot to look forward to.