Author George R.R. Martin clarifies the question of how many books will comprise his A Song of Ice and Fire saga, and new casting information slips through for Game of Thrones season 5.
George R.R. Martin recently clarified comments from his long-time editor Anne Groell that his A Song of Ice and Fire series – on which HBO’s Game of Thrones is based – will extend past its promised seven books.
“My plan is to finish in seven,” Martin told Entertainment Weekly. “But my original plan was to finish in three. I write the stories and they grow. I deal with certain things and sometimes I find myself not at the end of a story. My plan right now,” he promised, “Is still seven.”
However, Martin remained firm on the fact that nothing can be set in stone. “First I have to finish Book Six,” he acknowledged. “Get back to me when I’m half-way through Book Seven and then maybe I’ll tell you something more meaningful.”
But though he still feels that seven books will be sufficient to tell the story of his A Song of Ice and Fire series, Martin did express his doubt that seven seasons of television will be enough to complete the story of HBO’s Game of Thrones.
“As I’ve been saying for years, I wish they had more hours,” the author admitted. “Every time I see another HBO show I wonder why we only have ten and they have thirteen [episodes per season].” Confessed Martin, “I don’t think it will be enough to tell the story we’re telling in the books.”
Speaking of the HBO series, Winter is Coming has caught wind of some additional – though unconfirmed – roles being filled for Game of Thrones season 5. The characters mentioned are the wildling Varamyr Sixskins – a highly skilled warg in the books – as well as two little girls, one blonde and one dark haired. Though the girls could be any of dozens of minor characters, other recent casting news suggests that the two will be involved in a critical flashback.
Game of Thrones season 4, episode 9, “The Watchers on the Wall,” will air on Sunday, June 8 at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
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