It’s no secret that HBO’s Game of Thrones is on course to outpace George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. Though the author is hard at work on the sixth book in the series, The Winds of Winter, the television show must go on. They can’t go on a multiple year hiatus. Since showrunners Dan Weiss and David Benioff have already changed certain plots from the books, it’s been up in the air whether they would create a brand new ending for Game of Thrones. Not anymore though. Speaking at the Oxford Union along with Kit Harington (Jon Snow) and John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Weiss and Benioff confirmed the television series will spoil the books.
The duo has previously spoken about being aware of the ending of A Song of Ice and Fire, and they’re steering the ship in the same direction. When asked about how the series is outpacing the book (skip to 34:09 in the above video), Benioff replied:
“Luckily, we’ve been talking about this with George for a long time, ever since we saw this could happen, and we know where things are heading. And so we’ll eventually, basically, meet up at pretty much the same place where George is going. There might be a few deviations along the route, but we’re heading towards the same destination. I kind of wish that there were some things that we didn’t have to spoil in terms of the books, but we’re kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. The show must go on … and that’s what we’re going to do.”
So even though little things may not be identical, Game of Thrones is headed towards the same ending as A Song of Ice and Fire. Speaking in broad strokes, I’m guessing that will cover deaths of major characters and who will end up on the Iron Throne and ruling Westeros. Of course, the latter is the arguably the biggest question of the books.
While I don’t expect this will greatly affect the sales of the final book in the series (A Dream of Spring), it’s certainly an interesting turn. I like the idea of what’s ahead being a surprise for all of us, and I will still happily read the remainder of A Song of Ice and Fire because it will add more details and there will surely be differences.
What do you think about learning the ending from Game of Thrones rather than the books? Let us know in the comments.
HT: Vanity Fair
Terrible
For four seasons people have been crying that book readers are spoiling the show for them. This April it’s payback time.
I will definitely read the remaining books! The books are always better. 🙂
Alvin
I think they should have just split the next book into 2 seasons. This would allow more detail into each episode. As well as give George time to catch up.
I started reading the books just before A Storm of Swords came out, so it’s been a long wait. At this point, I want to see how the story ends. I can always read the books as they come out and still enjoy them.
Yeah pretty much this. I mean, ultimately George RR Martin has to blame himself for how fast the show has caught up. Its not like he hasn’t had plenty of time to get these last two books out. Winds of Winter should’ve been out a year or two ago, and the last book should be on deck for next year sometime. I know its becoming rote to suggest that he should’ve worked harder or faster, but he surely knew this was a potential outcome when he signed the deal for the series (which is probably why he doesn’t seem to mind that the show will outpace the books).
Good luck to people who avoid watching the show, don’t know how you’ll do it.
Benioff says “I wish that there were *some things* that we didn’t have to spoil in terms of the books.”
I don’t think he’s suggesting that the ENDING of the book series will be spoiled by the TV series. I think he’s saying that there are occasional details that, because the story is being told in a different order and at a different pace, will happen on screen before they come out in a future book.
I can’t imagine the series wrapping up before the final book is published.
“They can’t go on a multiple year hiatus.” Why not? Seems like that wouldn’t be such an odd thing.
Yes, i agree… It wouldn’t be odd seeing Sophie Turner at age 37 returning to her role…
Because actors need to act. Go on a multiple year hiatus and then you won’t have most of the cast returning because they got snatched up to be in something else.
No shit … is everyone at Nerdist retarded?
But hasn’t Martin stated ‘A Dream of Spring’ might NOT be his last GoT books? I know it’s all he had planned originally, but he’s also said he may continue it beyond that, if he feels the story is still there…. I’m hoping they end the same way, but if Martin DOES continue beyond ADoS, how do they know that the series, and the books will end the same way? Is Martin updating them on changes made to his ideas for the end?
Unfortunately for HBO I’m a pretty staunch Read-It-First-er, so I will quietly cancel my subscription to the channel and not watch anymore of the series until the books are complete. Sad that it had to go this way.
lol You have to cancel your subscription? You can’t just not watch that particular show or is that the only show you ever watch on HBO?
You’re implying HBO has other worthwhile programming
Silicon Valley is pretty great.
It’s the only reason I have TV at all.
I agree with you… Nothing can replace the power of your own imagination when reading , also since the show has left out some characters that I think are important/cold hands and stone heart .. Also the fact Jon snow and Arya are also wargs I can’t relay on getting the thrill , heartbreak and satisfaction from HBO the way George will deliver in books
I’ll be doing the same thing. This will be my last season.
Good luck avoiding all of life for the next couple years. This is the biggest show on television, and the cultural phenomenon, there is NO way you’ll make it through life without something getting spoiled.
I love both tv show and books. To me, they complete each other. So i’m just looking forward both endings!
The only potential problem I see, is if for some reason people are not happy with the ending of the show, will the book ending remain the same?
Martin doesn’t seem to care what pleases or displeases his readers. He’ll write the story he wants no matter what fans complain about.
Which is what he should be doing. He is after all, the author. You can’t write a book by committee.
Martin has given the ending to the showrunners, so it will be the same one. Nevertheless there may be plotlines and characters cut from the show that will still be in the books so herpaderpa IDK
This has been a fascinating experiment to tell essentially the same story across two different mediums. I have been really happy with how they have negotiated it so far and I am excited knowing that the TV series is headed to the same ultimate destination.