Game of Thrones creators met with George R. R. Martin for the first time in 2006 to discuss the possibility of making Martin’s best seller A Song of Ice and Fire into a series. Martin revealed that he was approached by other directors who wanted to make his work into a feature film. However, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss shared the writer’s desire for a series adaptation and even answered his questions about his novel.
The creators’ answer to one question may have eventually made the epic fantasy series possible. While Martin did not reveal whether the creators answered it right at the time, they shook hands on the project right after that meeting and were in business with HBO.
Game Of Thrones Creators Answered George R. R. Martin’s One Question Right To Make The Show Happen
During an interview with Collider, George R. R. Martin was asked about the first time he met with Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Martin recalled their lunch at the Palm restaurant which was arranged by his agent. The author learned beforehand that both the creators were novelists who had published their own books. They had comparatively less experience compared to the other filmmakers who approached him.
Martin’s meeting with Benioff and Weiss went for five long hours during which they agreed upon the notion that A Song of Ice and Fire should be made into a series rather than a feature film. Martin revealed that he had asked them a few pointed questions to test their knowledge of the books and the creators impressed the author with all the right answers.
However, according to Benioff and Weiss, one specific answer might have eventually landed them the rights to the novels. They revealed to Collider that Martin had asked them the question, “Who is Jon Snow’s mother?”. They shared that they had discussed the topic among them earlier and gave him a “shocking” answer. While Martin didn’t say whether they were right or wrong, the creators knew that they had sealed the deal. Weiss told Collider:
“He asked us, ‘Who is Jon Snow’s mother?’ We had discussed it before, and we gave a shocking answer. At that point, George didn’t actually say whether or not we were right or wrong, but his smile was his tell. We knew we had passed the Wonka test, at that point.”
Both Benioff and Weiss made the right guess that Lyanna Stark, Ned Stark’s sister, was the mother of Jon Snow. Fans have long speculated (since the ’90s) that Jon Snow was born to Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. The show made this big reveal in the penultimate episode of Season 7.
Game Of Thrones‘ Big Reveal Was Ultimately Thrown Down The Drains
The years-long discussion surrounding Jon Snow’s parentage itself shows how important it was to the plot of the series. The show finally made the big reveal, only to produce nothing out of it. The truth that Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and the true heir to the Iron Throne did not make any major impact on the story. Kit Harington‘s character not only did nothing to claim back his throne, but he ended up at the wall by the end of the series.
While the source material detailed the events that happened during the marriage of Rhaegar and Lyanna, the series did not care to elaborate on one of the most important events in the books. It almost makes the fans’ point valid that the show needed another one or two seasons to churn out the entire story properly.
Game of Thrones is now available for streaming on Max.
