First Official ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spin-Off: It’s A Prequel From ‘Kingsman’ Screenwriter Jane Goldman

HBO’s money-making-machine “Game Of Thrones” is coming to an end, and like all I.P. that’s no longer allowed to fade off into the distance and earn its legendary pop culture status, the cable channel has been working overtime for the last two years to figure out how to keep the revenue stream churning. Five “Game Of Thrones” spin-offs are in the works and now we finally know what one of them is. HBO has greenlit a prequel series pilot from Jane Goldman. A frequent collaborator of filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, Goldman has worked on almost all of his films including “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” (2017), “X-Men: First Class” (2011), “Kick-Ass” (2010) and “Stardust” (2007).

READ MORE: ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spin-Offs Won’t Arrive Before 2020

Created alongside “Game Of Thrones” author and creator George R.R. Martin, the untitled prequel project is actually set thousands of years before the events of “Game Of Thrones and chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour.” In a statement, the cable giant promised surprises: “Only one thing is for sure: from the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.”

READ MORE: HBO Talks ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spinoff, New Seasons Of ‘True Detective’ & ‘The Night Of’

Goldman will have a more hands-on approach than Martin, however, because she’ll actually act as the Showrunner on the spinoff should HBO pick it up and bring it to series (though presumably, knowing ‘GOT’ history, they will). Other writers working on potential “Game of Thrones” spinoffs include Max Borenstein (“World War Z“), Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential,” “Mystic River“), Carly Wray (known for her writing on “Mad Men” and “The Leftovers“) and Bryan Cogman, a “Game Of Thrones” TV writer/producer known for writing 10 episodes of season one. The subjects and ideas of all those projects still in development are under wraps and who knows if HBO would actually green light five different “Game Of Thrones” shows (probably not).

READ MORE: “That Is The Biggest Rescue In Hollywood History”: Screenwriters Talk How The Pilot For ‘Game Of Thrones’ Was Saved

The original “Game of Thrones” will return sometime in 2019 for its eighth and final season. HBO chiefs have previously said a “Game Of Thrones” spin-off series would not arrive before 2020. Speaking of “Game Of Thrones” pilots that may or may not move forward to series, the original “Game Of Thrones” almost met the ax. It’s rather quite the well-known legend now that Tom McCarthy (“Spotlight“) directed the original pilot episode, it was scrapped and the show had to be totally overhauled and redone by creators. It’s a fascinating story and you can read about it here with some visual context here.