'GoT' Naomi Watts prequel was cancelled post 'disappointing' $30 million pilot

The award-winning medieval series, Game of Thrones, is finally getting a prequel. However, the first run at this attempt resulted in a total loss of $30 Million for HBO. Warner Media’s ex-chairman Bob Greenblatt, in his interview with James Andrew, revealed that the first cut didn't “deliver on the promise of the original series.”

On details about the cancelled pilot, Andrew shared that, “They had spent over $30 million on a Game of Thrones prequel pilot that was in production when I got there.” He further went on to share his sheer disappointment with the product. "When I saw a cut of it a few months after I arrived, I said to Casey (HBO Max content chief), ‘this just doesn't work, and I don't think it delivers on the promise of the original series.”

He further shared that he took a sigh of relief upon Casey agreeing with him.

“We, unfortunately, decided to pull the plug on it,” retorted Greenblatt, claiming to the public pressure of retaining quality. “There was enormous pressure to get it right and I don't think that would have worked.” Of the many promised prequels by HBO in 2017, they cancelled the Naomi Watts starrer version after ‘careful consideration.’

HBO confirmed the news with a statement, expressing gratitude for people working on the show. “After careful consideration, we have decided not to move forward with the untitled Game of Thrones prequel. We thank Jane Goldman, S J Clarkson, and the talented cast and crew for all of their hard work and dedication.”

After the costly mistake, Greenblatt decided that a pilot isn't worth spending $30 million and will now put out a series that everyone feels good about. While the untitled prequel pilot is cancelled, for now, another series, titled House of the Dragon, a spinoff to the critically acclaimed show, is still set to premiere in 2022 on HBO.