Brian Helgeland, known for his work on films such as Man on Fire and A Knight’s Tale, had a vision for a Game of Thrones spin-off titled “10,000 Ships.” This series, approved by author George R.R. Martin, focused on Queen Nymeria and her journey, inspired by the Biblical story of Moses. Set 1,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the narrative would have followed Nymeria and her people as they searched for a new home after their country was ruined. Helgeland described it as a tale of survival and leadership in a fictionalized version of the Mediterranean.
Helgeland’s vision for 10,000 Ships included the concept of characters living a nomadic life on a “raft city” or a “big floating city.” This unique setting added a layer of complexity to the story, as characters would occasionally go ashore only to be driven back to the ocean in search of their version of the promised land. The show was designed to blend elements of Ray Harryhausen’s Sinbad films with The Odyssey, with Nymeria taking on the role of a leader responsible for every citizen in the floating city-state.
While 10,000 Ships never materialized as a series, Brian Helgeland remains hopeful that the project is not entirely dead. He expressed his passion for developing the show and emphasized that his work is still available if HBO decides to pick it up in the future. Interestingly, 10,000 Ships shares similarities with another Game of Thrones spin-off idea, 9 Voyages, which focuses on the Sea Snake character. However, 9 Voyages has transitioned from a live-action show to an animated series due to cost constraints, as Martin mentioned that a live-action version would have been too expensive to produce.
While 10,000 Ships and 9 Voyages may not see the light of day, HBO continues to explore the expansive world of Westeros with new projects. House of the Dragon Season 2 is set to premiere in June, following the success of the first season. Additionally, another spin-off titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is scheduled for a release in late 2025, further expanding the lore and history of the Game of Thrones universe.
The world of Game of Thrones is rich with untold stories and potential spin-offs that offer fans a deeper look into the history and mythology of Westeros. While some projects may never come to fruition, the legacy of the original series lives on through new and exciting narratives that continue to captivate audiences around the world.
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