Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Being the first episode, a show’s future highly hinges on how the pilot is received, as a lackluster beginning can prompt studios to pull the plugs off the show early. While exceptions exist, asThe Officewent on to become extremely successful despite an underwhelming beginning, oftentimes, great shows succeed in nailing the pilot, andGame of Thronesis no different.
But beforeWinter Is Comingpremiered to critical acclaim, the original pilot for the show came close to getting the whole show canned, which featured a cameo from George R.R. Martin.
George R.R. Martin Was Left in the Editing Room withGame of Thrones‘ Original Pilot
When George R.R. Martin gave David Benioff and Dan Weiss the blessing to adapt his acclaimed novel to the small screen, Martin also filmed a cameo as a Pentoshi nobleman for the first episode. However, this cameo was lost after some heavy reshoots, which ended up changing the pilot completely. For example, in the original pilot, which was filmed in the Autumn of 2009, Tamzin Merchant was cast as Daenerys Targaryen instead ofEmilia Clarke.
“It’s maybe the first time that Cersei has been at peace”: Lena Headey Initially Wanted a Better Death For Her Game of Thrones Character
But while the cast and crew thought it was great, the higher-ups at HBO wereless than thrilledby the results and almost canned the show before it even aired.
This led to massive reshoots and rewrites, which ended up changing the pilot completely, but in doing so, they also had to exclude the cameo of the author. TheGOTcreatorrecalled:
It was, sad to say, left on the cutting-room floor. It was during Daenerys’ wedding and I was a Pentoshi nobleman in the background, wearing a gigantic hat.
While HBO was open for another cameo, as the former president of HBO Entertainment, Sue Naegle, previously expressed Martin is welcome anytime, it might be a long wait if ever.
George R.R. Martin’s Potential GOT Cameo Is Still Far Away
WithHouse of the Dragonsseason 2 hitting the screens, which is one of the severalGOTspin-offs that are currently in development, there seems to be plenty of room for a cameo from the author. However, when asked about it,George R.R. Martinstressed that he has no intentions to film a cameo for futureGOTshows until he’s done withThe Winds of Winter.
“Trying to get her to sit on top of the stupid dragon”: Game of Thrones Had to ‘Deform’ Emilia Clarke’s Legs in Many Scenes and House of the Dragon May be Facing a Similar Issue With Emma D’Arcy
During his appearance on SDCC, he said (viaIGN):
I don’t know. For the last couple years since COVID hit I’ve barely left my house. Also, you may not know this but there’s this book I’m writing and it’s a little late. So I won’t be doing any acting until I finish and deliver that book and if the show is still running then then maybe.
Considering it has been 13 years sinceA Dance with Dragonsdropped, it can’t be said for certain when Martin will be done with the next book, a cameo from the author seems distant for now.
“Nothing in cinematic history can top the Red Wedding”: House of the Dragon Season 2 Tall Claim Falls Flat After Promising to Dethrone Darkest Game of Thrones Scene
Game of Thronesis available to stream on Max.
Santanu Roy
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2539
Santanu Roy is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on movies, with over 2,000 articles under his belt. He has been pursuing a degree in Animation and possesses a deep love for the medium of animation. Having spent the better part of the last two years pumping out articles for FW, Santanu excels at covering movie analysis and news surrounding Pixar, DCU, DreamWorks, and Batman’s cinematic legacy.With psychological thrillers and intimate slice-of-life dramas ranking among his favorite genres, Santanu is a big admirer of Luca Guadagnino, Shane Black, Park Chan-wook, and Brad Bird.
More from Santanu Roy
Good Boy First Trailer: Will The Dog Survive in The Scariest Horror Movie of 2025?
Sydney Sweeney’s Great Jeans Can’t Save Americana From Weapons Box-Office Onslaught: Full Report
After “Kal-El, No!”, Gal Gadot Claims Snow White Failed Because of Her Israeli Roots
Recommended
Spider-Man: Brand New Day – How the 2008 Comic Arc Could Shape Tom Holland’s Next Movie
One Piece: Why Luffy’s Final Fight Will Break Shonen (& It Won’t Be Against Imu or Blackbeard)
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 10 Episode 9: Release Date and What to Expect
NYT Strands August 12, 2025 Hints and Solution
You Can Finally Watch Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Blockbuster at Home: Digital Release Date Revealed - Report
NYT Pips Solution for August 17, 2025
Dan WeissDavid BenioffGeorge R.R. Martin
