Nearly a decade later, this ambitious crossover concept still captivates Indian fantasy and sci-fi enthusiasts who wonder what could have been.
Before it even premiered, Westworld was dubbed as the “next Game of Thrones.” It’s an expensive-looking drama… on HBO… with sex and violence… and a large ensemble cast… that doesn’t take place on Earth, at least as we know it. So far, the ratings for Westworld aren’t quite Thrones-esque, but they’re promising — the series premiere has been viewed over 12 million times across all platforms. The one major difference between the shows: one has robots, the other has dragons. Other than that, exactly the same. And then there were the talks of a crossover
A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin, for one, is ready for the crossover, which would take place in Medieval World, a separate section of the same amusement park that houses West World. (Watch the 1973 movie for more on the different parks.) Instead of cowboys, the androids would be modeled after Game of Thrones characters. According to Entertainment Weekly, Martin even mentioned this idea to “Westworld showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy over dinner weeks a couple months ago.”
Wonder what the crossover would be like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did George R.R. Martin really pitch a Game of Thrones Westworld crossover?
Yes, George R.R. Martin discussed the crossover idea with Westworld showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy during dinner. The concept would feature androids modeled after Game of Thrones characters inhabiting Medieval World, a fictional park section separate from Westworld’s main setting.
What is Medieval World in Westworld?
Medieval World is a distinct section of the same amusement park that houses Westworld, as established in the original 1973 Westworld film. It would have served as the perfect setting for Game of Thrones-themed androids, replacing cowboys with medieval characters and dragons with robotic inhabitants.
Why was Westworld compared to Game of Thrones?
Both shows featured expensive HBO productions with ensemble casts, sex, violence, and worlds existing outside our reality. The primary difference was that Westworld featured robots while Game of Thrones featured dragons, making them remarkably similar in scope and ambition.
What were Westworld’s ratings when this crossover was pitched?
Westworld’s series premiere was viewed over 12 million times across all platforms. While the ratings weren’t quite Game of Thrones-level initially, they showed promise and positioned Westworld as HBO’s next major franchise during its 2016 launch.
Did the Game of Thrones Westworld crossover ever happen?
No, the crossover never materialized beyond George R.R. Martin’s conceptual discussion with the showrunners. Despite the creative pitch, the two shows evolved separately, leaving this ambitious crossover idea as an intriguing “what if” in television history.
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