Game of Thrones panel at SXSW provides insight into show, seasons 7 and 8 details

At a conference dedicated to every aspect of media on the planet, Game of Thrones was one of the biggest properties at South by Southwest, held annually in Austin, TX. This year, HBO brought all their big guns, as showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were joined by Sophie Turner (Sansa) and Maisie Williams (Arya). Technically, the panel was moderated by Turner and Williams, though the pair certainly fielded their share of questions. Light spoilers follow.

It was revealed near the end of the panel that Weiss had written many of the questions Williams and Turner were asking, but it did not seem to stop the showrunners from answering rather honestly on all subjects. The biggest news items of the panel, which did not include any new footage, were as follows:

• Season 8 will only contain 6 episodes
• Season 8 will have four writers, Episode 1 will be written by Dave Hill, Ep 2 by Bryan Cogman, and the remaining 4 by Benioff and Weiss
• Season 7 had three visual effects teams working simultaneously
• Tyrion Lannister has the best line of dialogue in season 7 (shocker)
• Asked about a White Walker controlled dragon, Benioff replied “Maybe.”
• Singer Ed Sheeran will make a cameo in season 7

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 12: Actors Maisie Williams (L) and Sophie Turner speak onstage at ‘Featured Session: Game of Thrones’ during 2017 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 12, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Amy E. Price/Getty Images for SXSW)

Filming news was largely scattered among antecedents and stories from filming the first seven seasons. Benioff deemed spoilers impossible to avoid since “even the CIA can’t keep secrets,” and that those that seek out spoilers are “weird” since he doesn’t read the last page of the book first.

Benioff and Weiss were also both highly complimentary of Turner and Williams, stating that they were proud of how the pair had grown up in the spotlight. Benioff specifically mentioned his desire for his own daughters to grow up like Williams and Turner. Feelings. (Williams was named the favorite Stark sister.)

Photo Credit: Personal Photo, Corey Smith

For Turner, she stated she was most proud of filming her wedding night scene with Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Bolton), for its ability to open up conversations about rape, and allowing her to become an advocate on the subject. Williams was most proud of moderating the panel.

Regarding the original pilot, that was has never seen the light of day and had to be almost completely re shot, Benioff and Weiss remembered these notes:

• Sansa and Cersei’s introduction was shot without the other present, as Catelyn Stark had been recast and Turner looked much older when the second pilot was filmed
• The scene involving Theon, Jon, and Robb shaving was dubbed “the worst scene we’ve ever written,” but served as a continuity bridge since several of them had shaved since the original pilot
• Peter Dinklage and Sean Bean were the first actors cast
• Williams was scared of the other two actresses up for Sansa Stark, but felt at ease with Turner

Death is a huge part of the tapestry that is Game of Thrones, and when asked about who were their hardest actors to kill off, both Benioff and Weiss affirmed that it was Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo). Surprisingly, the pair admitted that they so enjoyed working with Noah Taylor (Locke) that they rewrote his death to occur in season 4, as opposed to season 3. Locke was originally intended to die in the bear pit where Brienne is rescued by Jaime Lannister.

Photo Credit: HBO

Benioff and Weiss also mentioned wishing they could bring back Michelle Fairley (Catelyn) and Jack Gleeson (Joffrey). Ser Meryn Trant’s death at the hands of Arya has the honor of being the most expensive death on the show.

On set shenanigans are nothing new to television, and Game of Thrones has a few stories of its own. Benioff admitted that while on location in Belfast, Jason Momoa broke his Benioff’s hands while playing the “slap game.” What were you thinking? The duo also admitted to pranking Kit Harington during season 1, by writing an elaborate scene involving Jon Snow’s face being horribly burned by the wight while rescuing Lord Commander Mormont. The duo told Harington he looked too “Disney” before laughingly Benioff gave up the prank.

Post Game of Thrones, Benioff and Weiss admitted they would like continue to write together, but would have no involvement in a prequel or sequel series. The both agreed that “new blood” would be best for the show going forward. When the show wraps, the showrunners have their eye on some of the prop swords, specifically calling Heartsbane, the Tarly family sword, beautiful. Just don’t tell HBO.

 

 

Via http://winteriscoming.net/2017/03/12/game-of-thrones-panel-at-sxsw-provides-insight-into-show-seasons-7-and-8-details/