Game of Thrones may have ended in 2019, but HBO is definitely not going to let that IP go for good. Despite the Naomi Watts-led Bloodmoon spinoff set during the Age of Heroes getting canceled after not being able to rework the pilot, House of the Dragon promptly replaced it and is set for a 2022 release on HBO's premium channel and new streaming service.
Recently, a Tales of Dunk and Egg spinoff is reportedly in early talks, and even more recently a report surfaced claiming an animated series is also in early development. HBO is closely cooperating with George R. R. Martin in expanding his universe on-screen beyond the original flagship show. Animation is an exciting, fresh place the world of A Song of Ice and Fire can go, so here's why this could be a great idea.
Newfound Western Appreciation For Animation
In recent years, the western part of the world has seemed to have a greater appreciation for animated works, taking it more seriously as a storytelling medium that can appeal to broad demographics simultaneously and/or individually. Anime has become more mainstream, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse unironically became many fans' favorite Spider-Man movie thanks to its heartfelt story/characters, beautiful implementation, and unafraid embrace of the comic book aesthetic.
Meanwhile, Netflix created one of the few positively-received video game adaptations in the form of the Castlevania TV series. Animation doesn't automatically relegate a story to any one age group, so why not have Game of Thrones get bold here?
The Castlevania Approach
Speaking of, Netflix's Castlevania definitely presents an example of western animation appealing to an older audience. There's plenty of quality mature anime--Vinland Saga, Berserk (1997), Monster, etc.--and even western animations--The Dark Knight Returns, Part One & Two, Under the Red Hood, etc.--but this approach took more time to take firm root in the west.
It's based on fantasy/vampire-themed video games, so Castlevania's premise is inherently fantastical, but that's a plus here. The show's genuinely well-written, brilliantly animated, and drawn, and the actors do superb jobs in their respective portrayals, culminating in a prime example of quality, mature-oriented animation. Following that creative template could make a great Game of Thrones spinoff.
Hypothetical Season 8 Redemption
Surely the most "fan request-y" of fan requests mulled about online, but since this reported animated project is in early development, meaning it may not even get greenlit (a la Bloodmoon), the details are surface level at best and a redemption of the maligned final season of Game of Thrones may have found its greatest chance. Fans can't change the original's ending, as dumping another ~$60 million+ on a straight-up mulligan with the original cast is beyond unlikely, but an "alternate-ending" animated spinoff isn't unreasonable.
Given the surprise franchise revivals happening (DC, Marvel, Star Wars), getting an animated Game of Thrones spinoff that's a single-season, one-and-done limited series that does an "alternate season eight" in 10-12 episodes is creatively/financially doable should HBO want it. Titling it in part after Martin's planned final book, e.g. "Game of Thrones: A Dream of Spring," would power maximum brand recognition and marketing.
Long-Term Project
It's unclear how long House of the Dragon will run for (not to mention the potential Dunk and Egg) beyond season one, if for longer than that at all, but this potential animated series could be HBO's next "long-term" commitment for the channel and Max, should the former be more concise. While quality art and animation is certainly expensive, but having established its potential/comparative cost-effectiveness to live-action productions, it could be more financially sustainable.
That could be a major key, considering HBO's determination to expand upon Martin's world. It could also be the answer to avoid burning out the franchise, balancing between long-term ambitions and holding onto fans--with the added boon of exploring an exciting new artistic approach for Thrones.
Revive The Age Of Heroes
Circling back to Bloodmoon, some fans expressed disappointment when it was announced that Naomi Watts' series got scrapped, and understandably so to an extent. It makes sense that the Targaryens have a clear appeal among plenty of fans, but the Age of Heroes would've made for a potentially-refreshing change of pace in terms of setting, plus having Watts' star power attached.
Exploring the era of the Children of the Forest, the First Men, and potentially Azor Ahai battling against the Night King in the original Battle for the Dawn sounds like a grand-scale story. If there are multiple spinoffs being discussed, this could be that era's ticket back in, if nothing else. Animation can provide stories narrative framing that live-action may not, so if live-action TV couldn't be salvaged, then being animated could provide new creative liberties.
Aegon's Conquest
The most apparent premise that House of the Dragon will tackle is the Dance of the Dragons--the Targaryen civil war that erupted, resulting in the near-extinction of dragons and proved to be the beginning of the end of the house's influence over Westeros. The castings made so far show that, but it's unclear if Aegon I Targaryen will feature in some capacity.
He was famous for "Aegon's Conquest" of Westeros when the Targaryens migrated from Essos due to the Doom of Valyria. Should that conquest not feature, 2D animation could be a great way to portray it on-screen and with the liberties that format can provide. Particularly so considering CGI for Balerion the Dread would be a monumental task.
Proven Western Animation Studios
If HBO greenlit an animated series, but it isn't an anime, there are proven animation studios westward that should work wonders in this world. Some easy picks would be Powerhouse Animation Studio--Castlevania, Blood of Zeus--and Frederator Studios--also Castlevania--with the latter coincidentally already working with HBO on their streaming service animating Adventure Time: Distant Lands.
Powerhouse's style is definitely prevalent in both Castlevania and Blood of Zeus, and a similar style of clean, grounded art and crisp, smooth animation would be at home in a Game of Thrones series.
Expanding On Animation
Should this happen and succeed critically, it could mean further animated endeavors, which would help continue the positive trend of critically-praised adult animated series. The aforementioned Netflix shows have been helping this newfound appreciation for the medium, but a hit production for a Thrones spin-off series would certainly drive the message home faster.
Despite the crash-landing the original show had, it was a cultural phenomenon and the most acclaimed adult-oriented fantasy show. With this upward trend, it's surprising that an animated spinoff hasn't already been officially announced/greenlit.
Competition
Disney has made no secret of their mass expansion on Disney+ with Marvel and Star Wars. Plenty of spinoffs are going to be hitting the service over the next few years, and Netflix is always looking for more content also. HBO Max is in its infancy, and it will need to be strategic in how it can bring on subscribers through quality original content.
DC and Game of Thrones-related projects are tools in expanding, and animated works seem like an asset if they plan on creating multiple shows, even for Martin's world. Filming is going to be understandably more difficult for the immediate future, so practicality is crucial, but offering variety is another major pro. Fans would have exciting content tackling different stylistic concepts and HBO stay competitive in the streaming arena.
Original Story
Another option is to create an original story in Martin's world of A Song of Ice and Fire through the lens of animation. There's understandably more demand from fans of book franchises to adapt source materials, but with a fantasy world like Martin's creating something new isn't unfathomable.
There's plenty of places in the world that writers can craft that can be as isolated as necessary from the established stories in the world's history. Martin will likely be needed to guide the ship to an extent, but animation is a relatively low(ish)-risk, high-reward way of making something new for spinoffs.