Though the title of Executive Producer sounds super important and relevant to filming, a lot of the time, it’s just a role given to people who have contributed money to the financing or maybe were involved with a different iteration of the project years before. There are a variety of reasons why someone could be listed as an EP. But what it really does is allow for people to earn money off the success of a project. That’s the offer given to David Benioff and D.B. Weiss when they finished up their work as co-creators and showrunners of “Game of Thrones.” They would be listed as EPs of all the future ‘Thrones’ spinoffs. However, to HBO’s surprise, the duo turned it down. But why?
Speaking to THR, while promoting their new show, “3 Body Problem,” David Benioff and D.B. Weiss explained the shocking decision to turn down the title of Executive Producer on future “Game of Thrones” spinoff shows, including the already popular “House of the Dragon.” By accepting the offer, the duo would have earned residuals on all future spinoffs, and basically, they would have been given “free money.” Instead, they said no.
“HBO was kind of confused,” Benioff said. “I remember their lawyer saying, ‘But it’s just money, we’re just going to pay you.’”
Weiss added, “I don’t think there is such a thing as free money. For us, if our name is on it, especially that, while being completely detached and uninvolved, it felt like the strain that would come with that hands-off approach — with its success or failure or anything in between — was not worth it.”
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While it’s still a bit puzzling—turning down money a network would pay you for not being involved—you have to hand it to the duo. They understand that putting your name on something—good, bad, or otherwise—is a sign to viewers that you endorse what is on screen. Now, it’s not like Benioff and Weiss hate the idea of ‘Thrones’ spinoffs, but it’s clear they don’t want to co-sign something that they had no creative input on. And after seeing what a bad season of TV can do to your brand (just look at how the fandom treated them after the final season of ‘Thrones’), it’s understandable that Benioff and Weiss would be hesitant to put their names on anything related to that franchise.
That said, it’s not like Benioff and Weiss are destitute and living on the streets. They’ll be perfectly fine. “3 Body Problem” looks like it’s going to be an absolutely massive show for the duo, if they are able to capture even 50% of the greatness of the source material.
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