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Everything we learned from the SXSW ‘Game of Thrones’ panel
“Game of Thrones” spoilers are usually the most carefully guarded secrets in the world, but every now and then, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss get chatty about what to expect from the future season.
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At the 2017 South by Southwest Festival, Benioff and Weiss had a lot to say about “Game of Thrones,” from episode counts to resurrections to guest stars. And since we’re just as excited as you are, we’ve compiled that information in an easy-to-read guide for your convenience.
Ed Sheeran
Benioff and Weiss confirmed that Ed Sheeran will, in fact, be making an appearance in “Game of Thrones” Season 7. Musical guest stars are not at all uncommon on “Game of Thrones,” and as a favorite of Maisie Williams, the showrunners had reportedly been trying to surprise her with his appearance for years.
We doubt Sheeran will appear as more than a glorified cameo — as all musical guests have in the past — but we do hope he manages to strike up a tune. His haunting rendition of “I See Fire” for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” proves that he’s got the perfect voice for the fantasy genre.
The final season
We all knew that “Game of Thrones” only has 2 seasons left, but Benioff confirmed on Sunday (March 12) that the final season would only be six episodes long.
“It’s only going to be six episodes for the final season,” Benioff says. “From the beginning we’ve wanted to tell a 70-hour movie. It will turn out to be a 73-hour movie, but it’s stayed relatively the same of having the beginning, middle and now we’re coming to the end.”
Sansa in jeopardy?
In a throwaway comment, Benioff joked, “We argued who got to kill Sansa (Sophie Turner),” when discussing how they divided up writing the final season.
Obviously this joke hasn’t got us panicked yet, but as with any “Game of Thrones” spoilers, you have to take them into serious consideration. Starks are known for dying, and Sansa is beloved enough that her death would be one of the most heartbreaking blows since Ned (Sean Bean) himself got the axe.
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Benioff bows out of spinoff
Rumors of a “Game of Thrones” spinoff have been circulating recently, and it’s pretty much a given that HBO will attempt to cash in on the franchise for another eight years if possible. Benioff and Weiss, however, are not looking to keep the gravy train running.
“I think HBO might well do [a spinoff], and I look forward to watching it, and I think it be great, but I think they should get new blood in,” Benioff says.
Potential resurrections
When asked which characters they would like to bring back from the dead, the showrunners listed Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley ) and Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson).
Obviously Joffrey is deader than dead — and should totally stay that way — but there’s been much speculation about whether “Game of Thrones” will ever incorporate Lady Stoneheart (a.k.a the resurrected and vengeful version of Catelyn Stark) into the narrative. If ever there was a fan favorite character that deserved to be brought back, it’s this one.
“Game of Thrones” premieres July 16, 2017 on HBO.