HBO's Aegon the Conqueror spinoff gets MAJOR new update that'll have Game of Thrones fans excited

Game of Thrones is one of the most successful TV dramas of all time, following the fight for the Iron Throne in the fictional world of Westeros. Based on the beloved A Song of Ice and Fire book series written by George R.R. Martin, the Game of Thrones fandom is incredibly passionate and dedicated, and fortunately, this franchise is far from over yet. While we wait for House of the Dragon season 2 to premiere this summer — and of course, continue to wait for Martin's The Winds of Winter — we have very exciting news about another TV show.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the talked-about Aegon the Conqueror spinoff is in development at HBO, with a writer signed on to pen the script! That's right, this is more than just conversations about the possibility; the network has reportedly chosen someone to write the series. Mattson Tomlin, whose credits include the 2021 film Mother/Android and the upcoming DC sequel The Batman Part II, is attached to write the new Game of Thrones spinoff. That's pretty exciting! Tomlin is also writing the upcoming adaptation of BRZRKR starring Keanu Reeves.

Apart from Tomlin's involvement, the new report about the Aegon the Conqueror spinoff doesn't include many details. The report does confirm this spinoff is a series — remember, there were talks last year that Aegon's Conquest could be covered in a show and a movie — and a source relayed that HBO is taking a “back to basics” approach with the project, without delving any further into what that means exactly. HBO has not commented on the report at the time of this writing, nor has Martin.

Though we don't have all the details about the upcoming spinoff, we do know all about Aegon's Conquest, especially those of us who have read Martin's books. Fire & Blood, the Targaryen history book on which House of the Dragon is based, begins with Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of the Seven Kingdoms. He is the first king to sit on the Iron Throne, and his conquest is one of the — if not the most — pivotal moments in Westeros history. As we learn in House of the Dragon season 1, Aegon had a dream of a long night, and he is the one who starts the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy. Of course, the events of Aegon's dream are what the Game of Thrones series and books are all about.

An Aegon the Conqueror spinoff would include battles, betrayals, and yes: dragons! I'm surprised HBO didn't choose this time period for its first Game of Thrones spinoff, though the Dance of the Dragons in House of the Dragon is another eventful and exciting time, for sure.

As for castings for the spinoff, nothing has been reported on. Many people are desperate for Henry Cavill to play Aegon I Targaryen, but I really hope that doesn't happen. For one, he's too old to portray the character, and secondly, he's just too famous. We need a fresh face to bring the ruler to life!

In any case, I'm very excited! Stay tuned for more news on the Aegon the Conqueror spinoff — along with all the exciting new updates on the Game of Thrones franchise — here at Bam Smack Pow.