Now that Game of Thrones is formally winding down into shortened seasons, HBO’s interest in a spinoff extension of the franchise will only rise. Series heads David Benioff and Dan Weiss have adamantly distanced themselves from any more Thrones after Season 8, but HBO heads are still courting them to return in some capacity.

Following the series’ historic Emmy win in recent weeks, Thrones showrunner David Benioff acknowledged the possibility of a spinoff, saying “It’s a great world that George created. I think it’s a very rich world, and I’m sure there will be other series set in Westeros, but for us, this is it.” That said, The Hollywood Reporter spoke to HBO boss Casey Bloys at the Westworld premiere, in which the network head hoped Benioff and Weiss might at least oversee a new series, given some time to decompress:

You’re getting them right when they’re about to embark on production. It’s a big, big commitment for them, not just their creative force, but also their family life. They’re gone for months at a time. So it’s a big, big thing. But should we find a property that makes sense as a spinoff or a prequel — whatever you want to say — I would not expect them to do it, because they’re going to need to decompress for a good amount of time, but it would certainly be nice to have their involvement in some way. At what level? I have no idea.

Bloys also noted that any potential spinoff would fall to “finding the right take with the right writer,” though nothing concrete beyond some “things that sound interesting” have been discussed in any formal capacity.

There’s time yet to enjoy Game of Thrones proper, and figure out a spinoff later, but would it need Benioff and Weiss overseeing somehow?

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