After news hit that an Aegon the Conqueror series might be coming to HBO, Game of Thrones fans are hoping Henry Cavill might be cast. Here’s what he could look like in the role.
Fans of the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin had all eyes on HBO and Warner Bros. on Monday after it was reported that the network was eyeing a new Game of Thrones spinoff following Aegon I Targaryen. Why is this such big news? Well, he has a totally awesome story. Fire & Blood, the Targaryen history book Martin penned in 2018, follows the first of his name and his famous conquest which would put House Targaryen on the Iron Throne for years to come.
An Aegon the Conqueror series would be a prequel to both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the latter being the prequel show that came out in 2022 and broke viewing records for HBO. Clearly, the network isn’t done with this franchise, and other spinoffs have been in the works in some capacity. Variety also reports that HBO and Warner Bros. are considering a movie about Aegon I that would lead into a show. Interesting.
See what Henry Cavill could look like as Aegon the Conqueror
Fans of the franchise had already been hoping for The Witcher‘s Henry Cavill to step into the role of Aegon the Conqueror somehow, and this opens up the perfect opportunity. No casting has been announced yet as the project is reportedly in the very early stages, but that hasn’t stopped social media users from sharing fan art of the actor suited up as Aegon the Dragon. See one awesome imagining of the casting below.
"Now that Henry Cavill is officially gone from DC and the Witcher series, do you think that is more likely for him to reconsider being part of HOTD? Would you like him in the series?by u/Old_Valyrian00 in HouseOfTheDragon"
There’s absolutely no doubt Cavill would look great in a silver-white wig. He already rocks one on The Witcher. But should he play Aegon? Well, that’s definitely up for debate. Many fans (myself included) are hoping HBO casts a newcomer for the role if they move forward with the project. It’ll also be super interesting to see how the character is depicted. Because Fire & Blood is a history book of secondhand accounts, it’s entirely possible Aegon isn’t exactly the way he’s written.
Will Henry Cavill play Aegon the Conqueror?
Well, it’s not likely. And that’s partly because Cavill doesn’t seem eager to take it on. In an October 2022 interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the 39-year-old former Superman actor touched upon the possibility of playing a Targaryen. And though he acknowledged it’d be “cool” to be part of the Game of Thrones franchise, it probably won’t happen:
"“To be fair, when I was watching House of the Dragon, I was like ‘I feel like a lot of these guys could make really good Witchers,’” Cavill said. “I think it would be cool to be in Westeros, I really do. I don’t think there’s a place for me in there, though.”"
Of course, things change very quickly in Hollywood, so Cavill’s comment here doesn’t necessarily mean the Aegon casting is out of the question. But if HBO does end up doing this movie and/or series, I’d bet they’d pick someone not nearly as famous.