HBO's Michael Lombardo on "Game of Thrones'" Violence, Possible End Date - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 07-30-2015, 10:34 PM

"Game of Thrones" Will Likely End after 8 Seasons; HBO Open to Prequel, Addresses Violence Criticism & Jon Snow’s Fate – TCA
by Nellie Andreeva
July 30, 2015

As "Game of Thrones" films its sixth season, speculation continues about the end of the hit fantasy drama. Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss had been quoted as saying that they’d envisioned the series to run for seven seasons.

“Seven seasons and out was never the case,” said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO Programming, in his first solo executive session today at TCA. “The question is how much beyond it will go.”

“David and Dan are feeling there are two more years after Season 6, that’s what we’re looking at right now. We hope that they would change their mind, but for that’s how they are feeling now.”

Would HBO consider extending the franchise with a prequel series?

“We would be open to anything Benioff and Weiss want to do, there is enormous amount of storytelling in that world,” Lombardo said. But at that point, “the focus is on figuring out the next season.”

Lombardo also was asked to address the controversy over graphic content on the show.

“This show had violence is part of its many threads from Episode 1,” he said, adding that “there are no two showrunners who are more careful not to overstep the line than Benioff and Weiss.”

Lombardo also put an end to the rampant speculation that Jon Snow (Kit Harington), who died in the Season 5 finale, may not be dead.

“Dead is dead as dead as dead. He be dead. Yes. Everything I’ve seen, heard, read, Jon Snow is indeed dead,” he said.

http://deadline.com/2015/07/game-of-...sm-1201488030/

07-30-2015, 10:34 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,342	HBO's Michael Lombardo on "Game of Thrones'" Violence, Possible End Date *"Game of Thrones" Will Likely End after 8 Seasons; HBO Open to Prequel, Addresses Violence Criticism & Jon Snow’s Fate – TCA* by Nellie Andreeva July 30, 2015 As "Game of Thrones" films its sixth season, speculation continues about the end of the hit fantasy drama. Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss had been quoted as saying that they’d envisioned the series to run for seven seasons. “Seven seasons and out was never the case,” said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO Programming, in his first solo executive session today at TCA. “The question is how much beyond it will go.” “David and Dan are feeling there are two more years after Season 6, that’s what we’re looking at right now. We hope that they would change their mind, but for that’s how they are feeling now.” Would HBO consider extending the franchise with a prequel series? “We would be open to anything Benioff and Weiss want to do, there is enormous amount of storytelling in that world,” Lombardo said. But at that point, “the focus is on figuring out the next season.” Lombardo also was asked to address the controversy over graphic content on the show. “This show had violence is part of its many threads from Episode 1,” he said, adding that “there are no two showrunners who are more careful not to overstep the line than Benioff and Weiss.” Lombardo also put an end to the rampant speculation that Jon Snow (Kit Harington), who died in the Season 5 finale, may not be dead. “Dead is dead as dead as dead. He be dead. Yes. Everything I’ve seen, heard, read, Jon Snow is indeed dead,” he said. http://deadline.com/2015/07/game-of-...sm-1201488030/