New intriguing images from the canceledGame of Thronesspinoff series, titledBloodmoon, featuringNaomi Wattsas the lead character, have been unveiled to the public.
The project’s inception traces back to 2018 when HBO announced its plans to delve deeper into theGame of Thronesmythos.Bloodmoonplanned to take viewers on a historical odyssey, reaching back 10,000 years from the era of the originalGame of Thrones. At the heart of this narrative was Naomi Watts, cast in a role described intriguingly as a “charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret.” The pilot, rich in promise and potential, was filmed, yet in a twist of fate reminiscent of the source material’s own plot turns, HBO decided not to move forward with the series in 2019.
The recently surfaced images of Naomi Watts (viaInstagramandX), brought to light by hair and makeup designer Flora Moody, offer a tantalizing glimpse into whatBloodmooncould have offered. The shared photos from the pilot’s footage on Instagram reveal Watts in full character, a testament to the collaborative efforts in creating a character that never got the chance to fully bloom on screen. Moody’s caption sheds light on the creative process: “This is a chance to play with shape, proportion in the wig. To see how the makeup reads on film. To work together to find the character that portrays the director’s vision. Collaboration is KEY!”
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Bloodmoonaimed to explore theAge of Heroes, a period critical to theGame of Throneslore. It was to be a time when the foundations of notable houses like Stark and Lannister were laid, and iconic structures like The Wall and Winterfell were erected. The series would have set the stage for what is known as the Long Night, the chilling era of the long winter and the consequential war against the white walkers. The 2018 logline for the series intriguingly teased, “not the story we think we know,” hinting at the possibility of fresh perspectives and hidden depths in the familiar narrative.
The Unseen Potential of Game of Thrones' Bloodmoon and Its Star-Studded Cast
Diverging from the original series,Bloodmoondid not involve David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Instead, it was co-created by George R. R. Martin, the mastermind behind the original novels, and Jane Goldman, known for her work onX-Men: First ClassandKick-Ass. Goldman was also set to be the showrunner. The cast, alongside Watts, included names like Jamie Campbell Bower ofStranger Thingsfame, and actors Josh Whitehouse, Toby Regbo, and more.
The discontinuation ofBloodmoonhalted what might have been an extensive addition to theGame of Thronessaga. WhileHouse of the Dragon, another prequel, eventually found its way to audiences, the images of Watts in her unrealized role serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of television production. They represent the untold stories and the what-ifs, the projects that hold potential but sometimes remain just beyond our reach.
HBO’s House of Dragon Season 2 is set to premiere on summer 2024.
Fans can continue to enjoyGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragonon Max, but the ghost ofBloodmoonlingers, a whisper of a narrative untold, a chapter unopened, and a character unexplored.
House of the Dragon
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
