How House Of The Dragon's Success Justifies HBO's Bloodmoon Decision

How House Of The Dragon's Success Justifies HBO's Bloodmoon Decision

A look at the success of House of the Dragon and its impact on HBO's decision to abandon Bloodmoon as a prequel to Game of Thrones.

House Of The Dragon's Success

The Most Exciting Things To Expect From House Of The Dragon Season 2

House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, has proven to be a massive success, justifying HBO's decision to abandon Bloodmoon. The show expanded the epic fantasy world of warring kingdoms, indelible characters, visceral violence, and fire-breathing beasts first seen in Game of Thrones. The ongoing saga of Westeros and the Iron Throne has thoroughly supported the decision to pursue House of the Dragon over Bloodmoon, the network's previous prequel attempt.

Game Of Thrones Great Houses Collage

Game Of Thrones Great Houses Collage

Long before the tales of the Starks and the Lannisters had concluded, it was evident that something would be needed to fill the void when the series wrapped. HBO knew that the adventure of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire didn't have to end with Game of Thrones and set about combing through new chapters of the mythology well in advance. This led to the development of House of the Dragon, which has successfully captured the attention and approval of viewers around the world.

Kit Harrington as Jon Snow covered in snow in Game of Thrones

Kit Harrington as Jon Snow covered in snow in Game of Thrones

The reception of House of the Dragon has been overwhelmingly positive, with most viewers embracing the show's recognizable, comfortable dynamics. The success and potential of expanding the Game of Thrones universe by presenting new intrigue, new settings, and new characters with familiar packaging has been evident. The template created by House of the Dragon paves the way for future Game of Thrones spin-offs, making it clear that HBO will roll out a multitude of Thrones-related projects in the years to come.

Rhaenyra Targaryen smirking in House of the Dragon season 1 episode 10

Rhaenyra Targaryen smirking in House of the Dragon season 1 episode 10

Bloodmoon's Unsuccessful Attempt

Bloodmoon, the previous prequel attempt by HBO, was a concept that veered away from the familiar storylines of Game of Thrones. It attempted to offer its own fresh take on the material by deviating from the source material and presenting something unexpected. Despite the pilot's extraordinary visuals and the show's adult, sophisticated, and intelligent tone, Bloodmoon failed to capture the satisfying tone of the original series.

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark with sword in Game of Thrones season 7

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark with sword in Game of Thrones season 7

The decision to deviate from the source material was a calculated risk, but it ultimately proved to be a challenging assignment. George R.R. Martin's refusal to write for a spin-off added to the complexity, as he had only written a mere eight lines about the era that would be explored in Bloodmoon. The internal reaction to the $30-million pilot led HBO to reconsider Bloodmoon after just one episode, marking the end of its journey as a Game of Thrones prequel.

Daemon wearing a crown in House of the Dragon season 1 episode 4

Daemon wearing a crown in House of the Dragon season 1 episode 4

Impact on Future Spin-offs

The success of House of the Dragon has paved the way for future Game of Thrones spin-offs. The positive reception of the prequel has proven the potential of expanding the Game of Thrones universe by presenting new intrigue, settings, and characters with familiar packaging. The success of House of the Dragon presumably assures that HBO will roll out a multitude of Thrones-related projects in the years to come, offering fans more opportunities to explore the world of Westeros and the Iron Throne.

Rory McCann as the Hound ready to face the Mountain in Game of Thrones season 8

Rory McCann as the Hound ready to face the Mountain in Game of Thrones season 8

The litmus test of HBO's revised spin-off approach, House of the Dragon, has demonstrated that viewers embrace the show's recognizable, comfortable dynamics, unlike Bloodmoon. This sets the stage for a new era of Game of Thrones spin-offs, ensuring that the legacy of the epic fantasy world will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.

Olivia Cooke as Alicent looking afraid in House of the Dragon

Olivia Cooke as Alicent looking afraid in House of the Dragon