6 GAME OF THRONES Standalone Movies We Want to See

As a die-hard fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic saga, I can’t help but be captivated by these intriguing ideas for standalone Game of Thrones movies. Each one promises to delve deeper into the rich history and mysterious lore of Westeros and Essos, offering tantalizing glimpses into the lives of characters both familiar and obscure.

Warner Bros. Discovery is rumored to be contemplating a potential “Game of Thrones” spinoff film. At this stage, no one is connected to the project as the studio has yet to determine what the project might entail. However, there are numerous fantastic ideas for them to consider. Below, find six standalone “Game of Thrones” movies that we’d be thrilled to see on the big screen. Each one can function as a self-contained story while still maintaining a significant link to Westeros’ most momentous tale.

Lann the Clever, Founder of House Lannister

Among the prominent families in George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” House Lannister stands out significantly, with roots deeply entwined in the author’s power struggle for the throne. Like the other ancient noble houses embroiled in this game, their history is traced back to a legendary founder. Lore claims that Lann the Cunning seized Casterly Rock from House Casterly during the Age of Heroes centuries ago, but there’s debate on how he managed it. Each account, intriguing in its own right or combined, makes an excellent solo movie plot. (On the other hand, a TV series would be more fitting for Bran the Builder, founder of House Stark.)

Lann’s story is complex, important, and fun, but short enough to be told in a solo film. Yet it still involves everything we love about this world: familial intrigue, subterfuge, seduction, and murder. But no matter the ultimate truth about Lann (or whomever was ultimately the first Lannister), he put his family on course to be a major player in Westeros for millennia. Knowing the origins of Tywin, Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion’s family would also enrich their stories.

Elissa Farman and Asshai

In Martin’s captivating fantasy realm, Asshai-by-the-Shadow stands out as a city that has ignited my curiosity since its inception. It remains unseen on the pages of his five novels or on HBO’s acclaimed series, yet it holds an allure that is undeniable. Shrouded in mystery and darkness, both literally and metaphorically, this ancient port city at the world’s edge seems to defy the boundaries of what magic and sorcery can encompass. It’s a place where infamous figures like Melisandre and Mirri Maz Duur honed their dark arts. Some even speculate that it is the birthplace of the legendary hero Azor Ahai, and the cradle of dragons in this world. As Daenerys was told in the novels, her journey must lead her there, a path few characters have dared to tread. Fortunately, we have one adventurous soul to guide us through this realm of wonder and intrigue: the fearless Elissa Farman.

Lady Elissa Farman was an accomplished sailor and had affection for Princess Rhaena Targaryen, not the one from ‘House of the Dragon.’ When Rhaena refused Elissa’s wish to embark on a grand voyage, the two women secretly took three dragon eggs from House Targaryen and escaped aboard Elissa’s ship. This act caused quite a stir, and King Jaehaerys launched a widespread search for both Elissa and the eggs, but neither were ever found again.

The closest anyone ever came to getting answers about the sharp, alluring, and brave Elissa came during the second of nine great voyages by House of the Dragon‘s Corlys Velaryon. He traveled to Asshai on a trip where he “lost his love and half his crew.” While in the port city he saw Elissa’s ship Sun Chaser decades after she was last season in Westeros.

What led Elissa Farman to that location, and what transpired upon her arrival? Her narrative alone could form an enthralling standalone movie, while also offering a captivating opportunity to unveil some crucial, globe-altering truths concealed within the enigmatic depths of Asshai.

Jenny of Oldstones

In the realm of Westeros, not every epic tale revolves around dragons, frost giants, or conflict. The Seven Kingdoms boasts a multitude of heartwarming love stories as well. One such story is that of Jenny of Oldstones, a tale sung by Podrick Payne before the Battle of Winterfell in ‘Game of Thrones’. This romance, which has captured many hearts, ranks among the Seven Realms’ most treasured. What sets this love story apart from others is its significance – it holds great importance within the realm.

As a gamer putting myself in the shoes of Duncan Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, I found myself captivated by Jenny, a peasant girl whose beauty was surpassed only by her enigmatic charm that hinted at possible magical abilities. Defying tradition and expectations, I chose love over the Iron Throne, forsaking my birthright to wed Jenny. This decision meant relinquishing my claim to the throne, yet the royal court slowly came to appreciate and embrace not only my beloved bride, but also her cherished friend who accompanied her to King’s Landing.

That friend came to be known as the ghost of High Heart, a fascinating figure who appears in Martin’s novels. The short albino woods witch, who Jenny said was one of the Children of the Forest, who sees accurate visions of both the past and future. She was also the one who foretold which line of Targaryens would produce the Prince That Was Promised. The ghost of High Heart was also present at the notorious Tragedy of Summerhall, one of the saddest in House Targaryen’s history and the night Jon Snow’s father Rhaegar was born.

In the tale, the woodswoman lived on, yet the fate of Jenny that fateful night remains a mystery. A film that intertwines love stories, political unrest, witches, and a devastating blaze wouldn’t just clarify both Jenny’s destiny and her enigmatic companion. It could also expose the hidden truth behind the events at Summerhall that evening. Moreover, it would shed light on the most critical prophecy in our world.

The Second Spice War of the Rhoynar and Valyria

As much as we love a good romance, some of the greatest stories in Martin’s world do involve dragons and war. And the biggest of them all would make for one hell of a big screen spectacle. The only enemy to ever put up a real fight against the Valyrian Freehold and its colonies were the city-states of the Rhoyne River in Essos. The two sides fought many wars for many years, with the Rhonyish forces holding out against the dragonlords until their last meeting. That epic clash is known as the Second Spice War.

In that legendary struggle of all time, a grand total of 250,000 Rhoynish soldiers rallied under the command of Prince Garin the Great. Confronting them was Valyria’s immense army, bolstered by 300 dragons. However, Garin had a unique strategy to counteract these fire-breathing beasts: he utilized the Rhoyne River itself. Skilled water wizards could summon a form of magic to elevate the river’s waters high into the sky, aiming to flood and overpower their adversaries.

Picture a grand battle involving multitudes of soldiers, water magic, and an array of 300 dragons – just the imagery makes this film worthwhile. Yet, the reasons for producing a feature film on the Second Spice War go beyond stunning visuals. It’s a pivotal moment in world history, marking the last time anyone dared to confront Valyria significantly. However, while the dragonlords may have emerged victorious, their triumph could have ultimately sealed the fate of the empire. A captive named Garin is rumored to have cast a curse on Valyria, which manifested as greyscale. While some believe his curse had a limited impact, others claim it brought about the Doom of Valyria – suggesting that Garin was responsible for its destruction.

Regardless of his actions concerning Valyria’s punishment, the Second Spice War had an indelible impact on Westeros as well. Queen Nymeria orchestrated the escape of the Rhoynar survivors, a voyage culminating in their settlement in Dorne.

Founding of the Faceless Men

Characters inhabiting the House of Black and White in Braavos, servants of the Many-Faced God, are some of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures within George R.R. Martin’s fantasy universe. While “Game of Thrones” offered a glimpse into their world, it barely scratched the surface of their origins. These hidden assassins, who possess the ability to don another’s visage, can trace their order back to the volcanic slave mines of Old Valyria. It was here that the first among them discovered an unusual unity among the slaves: they all called out to the same deity (a deity with multiple faces) using the same prayer for death. In these harsh mining conditions beneath one of history’s most powerful empires, this unidentified individual first bestowed “the gift.

The stories suggest that the first Faceless Man not only enlisted other servants among the slaves, but they also began to bestow the master’s undoing upon them. Some myths even claim that the Faceless Men ultimately bestowed this doom on all of Old Valyria, causing the catastrophe known as the Doom of the Freehold. This event came close to extinguishing every remaining dragon in existence. Only House Targaryen managed to escape before the disaster, which a movie about the founding of the Faceless Men could suggest was no coincidence, as it would portray both the majesty and the ruin of the Valyrian Freehold on screen.

The Doom of Valyria

Out of our initial five concepts, two are linked to the Destruction of Valyria, a catastrophe worthy of a cinematic blockbuster. The devastation occurred as the Fourteen Peaks, the city’s mountain range, erupted with volcanic ash and dragonstone soaring thousands of feet into the air. This event wiped out dragons and all inhabitants, causing the peninsula to shatter, lakes to boil and become corrosive, and the secrets of dragon magic to disappear forever. The annihilation of such immense power left behind knowledge that was beyond comprehension.

What led to the destruction of Valyria? Was it the Faceless Men, Garin’s Curse, or Mother Nature? Could it have been the assassination of fire mages by petty dragonlords hungry for power? Or perhaps something else entirely that has since been swallowed by time and the flames in the desolate, cursed land? The film could serve as a compelling personal drama even before the actual destruction. Valyria was a powerful and magical place, ruled by various dragonlords. Just like Westeros, some of these leaders might have been good, some bad, and some somewhere in between. Did any of them foresee what was to come, like a dragon rider sensing the impending doom on a parallel to Jor-El’s vision of Krypton’s destruction in George R.R. Martin’s fiery adaptation?

Just as each concept could thrive independently, every one of these ideas would make a compelling solo “Game of Thrones” film, given the abundance of untold stories about the Doom of Valyria. Naturally, we eagerly anticipate all six potential standalone movies from Warner Bros. Discovery in the realm of “Game of Thrones.

Mikey Walsh, a staff member at TopMob, is curious to uncover the truth behind Lann the Clever. To keep updated on his findings, you can find him on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike. Additionally, he’s keen on rankings of the Targaryen kings wherever they appear.

2024-11-05 20:33