George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire Books to Become HBO Series
Well what do you know… more book-related news today! This is a potentially huge announcement for fantasy fans, as HBO have acquired the rights to bring George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series to the small screen. The series started with A Game of Thrones in 1996, and the fifth installment is expected to be released this year. I don’t know too much about the books except that people who have read them seem to absolutely love them. Apparently it’s an epic story on par with Tolkien — but with more sex and violence.
The plan is to do one full season for each book in the series, which sounds like an ideal way to avoid having to cut anything out. David Benioff (The 25th Hour, Troy) and D.B. Weiss (Halo, Lucky Wander Boy) will executive produce and write every episode, with the exception of one to be penned by Martin himself. You know, there haven’t been very many decent fantasy TV shows over the years because the budgets are just too restrictive, but with HBO involved it should be a far cry from Xena or Hercules. If they bring the same production quality as Rome, this will kick ass. Now I just have to muster up the courage to tackle some of these monstrous books to see if they’re as good as everyone says!
» Related Link: Variety
Comments (4)
I find that fantasy books are impossible to get into. Every fantasy-fan I talk to has a different 8-book saga which they proclaim as the best fantasy ever written. Just the fact that the series seem to never end is tough enough, but having to choose between 25 different universes is too much for me.
I’ll read the last Harry Potter when it comes out, but I think I’m done with the fantasy reading after that.
Posted by Henrik on January 17th, 2007Holy Mother of God. This is indeed HUGE news. Trust me, if you’re only planning to read one fantasy saga, this would be the one.
WOOOHOOO!
Posted by Marina on January 17th, 2007I’ve been waiting for HBO to get involed in the sci-fi/fantasy world I wonder if this will finally start getting award nods for these genres? I guess we’ll have to wait and see if the show will be cool.
Posted by Ian on January 17th, 2007I’m sorry Henrik but I think you are totally wrong. #1, not EVERYONE has their favorite saga. I enjoyed A Song of Ice and Fire, and Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. I read through the Belgariad, and I’m enjoying the Sword of Truth series at the moment. For recommendations, I would recommend the Wheel of Time to people who enjoy random wonders and very epic scenes and VERY long books. I would say the Belgariad would be great for a young audience around the age of 11-14 because of it’s young main character and the shiness of puberty in it. I found that the Sword of Truth was an excellent read because it has a good balance of story, character, detail, length, and excitment. And you won’t be reading 17 gazillion pages of descriptions like in the Wheel of Time. And finally, the song of Ice and Fire. Say, your not really ready to take the step to Fantasy, but you’d like something to rack your brain and fill up free time, then the SoIaF is for you. It’s a little more mature with detailed… scenes… and more gore. So to those who are 11-14, stick with the Belgariad.
Anyways, that’s my two sense.
Sincerely,
Posted by TedM on October 24th, 2008TedM
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