George R.R. Martin has clarified the persistent rumors of a Game of Thrones movie, and shares his thoughts on the idea.

The most recent incarnation of the rumor comes from the Daily Star, which reported – falsely – that Martin confirmed the film at the Emmy Awards.

Writing on his Not-A-Blog blog, Martin calls the newest report “nonsense” and explains where the idea originated.

“The idea of ending Game of Thrones with one or more major feature films was first floated oh, three or four years ago,” he says. “This was NOT MY IDEA. However, I may have been the first one to mention the notion in public… so somehow I became associated with it.”

“I did say that I liked the idea,” Martin continues, observing that, at the time, Game of Thrones was not the economic powerhouse it is today.

“This was back in the early days, where we couldn’t even afford to shoot the Battle of the Green Fork and had to knock Tyrion unconscious instead,” he says. “At that time, in that context, the idea of big blockbuster movies with a Lord of the Rings sized budget was powerfully attractive.”

Martin also admits that the idea of a Game of Thrones movie “is still powerfully attractive” to powerful people involved with the series. According to the author, many “actors, directors, producers, [and] writers” feel the same way.

“How not?” he muses. “It would be a great way to end.”

But in reality, Martin cautions, support for the idea may have little or no impact on the ultimate outcome. HBO, the ultimate decision brokers in the matter, are seemingly less enthusiastic about the idea of a Game of Thrones movie.

“They are in the TV business, not the feature film business,” Martin says. “And those of you with long memories may recall all the rumors about a Sopranos movie… a Rome movie… a Deadwood movie. Rumors is all they were. And that’s all this one is too, at least for now.”

Related: Game of Thrones season 6 set photos shed light on Jon Snow’s future

For the time being, Martin warns fans against putting stock in any such rumor – including ideas that may set a Game of Thrones movie outside the timeline of the main series. Rumored subjects such as Robert’s Rebellion and the Dunk & Egg novellas are, as the author puts it, “silly.”

“It would still be cool, and I’d still love to see it,” Martin concludes, “but nothing has changed since the last round of rumors. I am still writing The Winds of Winter. David & Dan are still filming season 6. HBO is still in the television business.

“Don’t take any of this stuff seriously.”