'Unleashing its full potential': George Martin demands four seasons of 'House of the Dragon', and his fans demand a new book

The author of the Fire and Blood saga, George Martin, has released another text on his blog.

In it, the writer discusses the topic of adaptations of fantasy works, about series in general, and specifically about the possible duration of the "House of the Dragon".

In particular, the author expressed confidence that Paddy Considine, who played Viserys Targaryen, simply must receive an Emmy, because the character created by the actor and crew on the screen turned out to be “more powerful, more tragic and fuller” than his literary version.

Martin even joked about the idea of ​​rewriting the chapters of the books describing Viserys's reign, adjusted for what was shown in the series.

Regarding the duration of the "House of the Dragon", which remains a mystery to fans of the series, the writer spoke quite optimistically.

He is convinced that for a full-fledged film adaptation, showrunners will have to shoot at least four seasons of ten episodes each.

“It will take four full seasons of ten episodes each to unleash the full potential of (the war known as -

.) “Dance of the Dragons,” Martin wrote on his blog.

He also clarified that he was frustrated by the reduction in the number of episodes in modern TV shows.

In particular, he recalls that in his childhood, one season of the series could have up to 39 episodes.

But over time, this number has changed.

“By the time I started working on Beauty and the Beast (an American TV series that ran from 1987 to 1990 -

.), the number of episodes was reduced to 22. Cable TV cut that number even more.

The Sopranos had 13 episodes per season, ”the author lamented, adding that Game of Thrones had already been reduced to ten episodes.

“If there were 13 episodes of House of the Dragon, maybe we could show all the things that had to be “jumped over” in terms of time jumps ... although in this case, some viewers might complain that “the series is too slow" and "nothing happens" in it.

In any case, I'm glad we still have 10 hours each season to tell our story," Martin said.

In addition, the author of "Game of Thrones" said that the rivalry between the "House of the Dragon" from HBO and "Rings of Power" from Amazon takes place only in the media, and he himself is a supporter of the maximum possible number of fantasy film adaptations.

In particular, Martin noted that he has long been waiting for a worthy transfer to the screens of Ursula Le Guin's The Wizard of Earthsea, and would also like to see series and films based on the works of Alan Garner, Robin Hobb, but most of all - Robert Zelazny with his The Chronicles of Amber.

The absence of Corvin and his brothers' own show causes great bewilderment in the author.

However, the speed of Martin's work on the presumably final - or one of the final - book of the A Song of Ice and Fire cycle - Winds of Winter, which he has been writing for more than eight years, causes no less bewilderment among fans.

In response to news of a possible four seasons of House of the Dragon, social media users anticipating the release of The Winds of Winter posted a number of criticisms of the writer.

Some even suggest creating a petition calling on Martin to release a sequel to A Song of Ice and Fire as soon as possible.

“Petition for George R. R. Martin to release The Winds of Winter and Dreams of Spring before I die, please,” one netizen sneers.

“And how long will it take him to finish The Winds of Winter?” the blogger asks in a comment under the publication about Martin’s new text.

“Finish the damned “Winds of Winter”!!” Another fan of the writer’s work is indignant under the same post.

“He has been saying for so many years that he is finishing The Winds of Winter, that I no longer believe that the book will be published,” another blogger does not hide his disappointment. 

“Gods!

So Winds of Winter will be after Season 4 haha,” reads another comment.

However, in August 2022, it became known that the House of the Dragon series would only be renewed for a second season.

There is no information about the third, let alone the fourth, at the moment. 

George Martin continues to work on a host of side projects with great pleasure.

In particular, on October 25, 2022, his book "Rise of the Dragon" will be released - an illustrated reference book about the Targaryen house, which will include more than 180 previously unpublished images.

In addition, the author is working on a number of game and animated series that expand his universe.

So the events of 10,000 Ships will unfold almost a thousand years before the events of Game of Thrones.

In the center of the plot will be the warrior queen Nymeria, one of the progenitors of the Martell family.

And the script for the series "Sea Serpent" will focus on the story of the merchant and politician Corlis Velaryon.

In addition, Martin had a hand in the script for the popular computer game Elden Ring, released in 2021.