George R. R. Martin, the mastermind behind the blockbuster "Game of Thrones" franchise, has hinted at an exciting new spinoff that fans can eagerly anticipate. In a captivating blog post penned on Tuesday, the renowned author and producer revealed that playwright Eboni Booth is diligently "crafting a fresh pilot" for "Ten Thousand Ships". This series was previously rumored to be in the works with screenwriter Bryan Helgeland, but it seemingly fell through the cracks when HBO shelved the project. (Unfortunately, HBO declined to comment on the current status of "Ten Thousand Ships" being in active development.)
While congratulating Booth on her recent Pulitzer Prize triumph for "Primary Trust", a 2023 masterpiece starring William Jackson Harper as a bookstore worker, Martin effusively praised her as "an incredibly talented young playwright who brings joy to every collaboration." He shared that when Booth isn't busy penning and producing her award-winning plays on and off-Broadway, she's been hard at work with him and HBO on this new pilot for "Ten Thousand Ships". This spinoff promises to delve into the intriguing world of Nymeria and the Rhoynar, offering fans a fresh perspective on the beloved "Game of Thrones" universe.
Martin humorously admitted, "We're all thrilled about this new chapter… although we're still scratching our heads over how to finance ten thousand ships, three hundred dragons, and those gargantuan turtles!" Booth's illustrious resume also includes plays like "Paris", "Crazy Annie", and "Nonfiction", each a testament to her remarkable storytelling abilities.
In an April interview with Inverse, Helgeland revealed insights into his vision for "Ten Thousand Ships". He shared that while his script turned out "fantastic", HBO reportedly felt that the time period he envisioned was too distant from the core themes of the original series. He explained, "That's why it hasn't been greenlit yet, but nothing is ever truly dead in the entertainment world." His script centered around Queen Nymeria and a fleeting mention of her in a Westeros encyclopedia.
Helgeland elaborated on his narrative, stating, "Essentially, it was a retelling of the Moses story, but with Nymeria as the protagonist. Her land is devastated, forcing her people to live on the water, hence the title 'Ten Thousand Ships'. They embark on a journey to find a new home, much like the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. As the leader of this exiled community, Nymeria strives to unite her people and guide them through treacherous waters in their search for a safe haven in a fictionalized Mediterranean."
