Iron Islanders sure do understand how television works. “What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger.” A report released in 2021 shared that HBO was developing three additional spinoff possibilities for Game of Thrones. The three new concepts included 9 Voyages (a.k.a. Sea Snake), Flea Bottom, and 10,000 Ships. While Flea Bag has since been shelved, and 10,000 Ships remains in development as of April 2023, it is the first project, Sea Snake, that seems to be the furthest along in the developmental process. Deadline says it already has a creative team, which includes Bruno Heller (Rome, Gotham). Additionally, G.R.R. Martin recently gave the project a fairly extensive update in his latest blog post.
The Sea Snake Spinoff Will Now Be Animated
Sea Snake would follow the many adventures of Westeros’ most legendary seafarer, Corlys Velaryon. The famed hero lived one of the most extraordinary lives of anyone who ever called the Seven Kingdoms home. That includes both afar and in Westeros. The show would follow his many journeys to every corner of the world, bringing him to places the original series never touched. That includes arguably the most mysterious place in all of George R.R. Marin’s fantasy world, Asshai.
No surprise, we’re big fans of this idea. It’s similar to two concepts we suggested way back in 2017, when HBO first acknowledged the possibility of spinoffs. Not only would it open up the world across the Narrow Sea, it would explore stories very different than those of the original series. It would also complement the currently airing Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon. An older Corlys Velaryon was a major figure in the Dance of the Dragons. His later life at home was just as noteworthy as were his younger years abroad.
Martin recently shared an update about the Sea Snake show in a blog post shared on December 31, 2023. He noted that Sea Snake has shifted from a live-action series to an animated one. But that this change is a positive one. Martin writes of the Game of Thrones spinoff, “We have moved Nine Voyages, our series about the legendary voyages of the Sea Snake, over from live action to animation. A move I support fully. Budgetary constraints would likely have made a live-action version prohibitively expensive, what with half the show taking place at sea, and the necessity of creating a different port every week, from Driftmark to Lys to the Basilisk Isles to Volantis to Qarth to… well, on and on and on. There’s a whole world out there. And we have a lot better chance of showing it all with animation.”
The Flea Bag Game of Thrones Spinoff Has Been Shelved
Although the Flea Bottom spinoff has been presently shelved, the series would have followed the lives of the poorest citizens in King’s Landing’s most notorious district. The original home of Davos Seaworth, it was seen throughout Game of Thrones. Gendry returned there to hide in plain sight, and Arya had to survive in its narrow streets before she left the city.
10,000 Ships Remains in Development
10,000 Ships would explore the legendary story of Princess Nymeria. (Not Oberyn’s paramour.) She led her people of the Rhoynar out of Essos after the Valyrian Freehold conquered the region, 700 years before Aegon’s Conquest of Westeros. Her long and dangerous three-year path to find a new home ultimately led her to Dorne. Once there she burned all the ships, married Lord Martell of Sunspear, and fought to rule the kingdom. She was successful, which is why the Dornish, unlike the other six kingdoms of Westeros, have royal titles like Prince and Princess. Nymeria was also a hero of Arya Stark.
Like Corlys’ adventures, 10,000 Ships would open up Martin’s massive world. But on a smaller scale. Nymeria didn’t travel as far for nearly as long. But all three shows are a world away from becoming a series. According to Martin, as of April 2023, the series continues to be in development.
Most Game of Thrones spinoffs HBO has developed have never become anything more than an idea. But like winter, more shows are coming. And even if these projects don’t happen now, they could always be revived in the future. In Westeros, what is dead may never die.
Originally published on March 19, 2023.
Featured Image: HBO
