9 Voyages: Animated Game of Thrones spin-off about the Sea Snake
An animation professional is at work behind the scenes!
More from the world of "Game of Thrones": After a planned sequel series and a possible movie about "Aegon's Conquest" recently caused a stir, another project is now in the planning stages. As Deadline reports, we can expect an animated spin-off entitled "9 Voyages".
The focus is on Lord Corly's Velaryon, also known as the Sea Snake. The series tells the story of his legendary sea voyages and adventures that made him one of the richest and most influential men in the history of Westeros. Series fans already know the character from the real-life series "House of the Dragon", in which Corly's Velaryon is played by Steve Toussaint. The series is to be directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, who has already made a name for himself in the animation genre with "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Primal".
Originally, "9 Voyages" was planned as an elaborate series of live-action films. Bruno Heller, who had already enjoyed great success with "Rome" and "Gotham", was responsible for this. However, in 2024, "Game of Thrones" creator George R. R. Martin confirmed that the project had to be realigned for budget reasons. The enormous costs that would have been necessary for a realistic realization of the exotic locations and sea battles made a live-action production practically impossible.
Why the "Game of Thrones" universe offers inexhaustible material for new series
The "Game of Thrones" universe is one of the most complex and detailed fantasy worlds in modern pop culture. Even years after the end of the main series, interest in new stories from Westeros and beyond remains unbroken. The reason for this lies not only in the commercial success of the brand, but above all in the extraordinary depth of the world created by George R. R. Martin. Hardly any other series universe offers so many starting points for further spin-offs and narrative forms.
A world with thousands of years of history
One of the biggest advantages of the "Game of Thrones" universe is its enormous temporal depth. The history of Westeros stretches back thousands of years and is characterized by conquests, civil wars, forgotten realms and mythical events. From the founding of the great noble houses to the conquest of Aegon and ancient legends such as the Long Winter, there are numerous eras that have barely been told visually, if at all. Each of these time periods could easily provide the framework for its own series without repeating the familiar plot of the main series.
Multi-layered regions and cultures
Westeros is only one part of the known world. Across the sea lie continents such as Essos, Sothoryos or the mysterious Yi Ti, which have only been touched upon in the series so far. Different cultures, political systems, religions and ways of life ensure narrative diversity. While "Game of Thrones" focused heavily on medieval power struggles, new series could focus on trading empires, seafaring nations or foreign civilizations. This geographical expanse allows for completely new tones and genres – from adventure stories to political dramas.
Gray areas instead of clear heroes
A central trademark of the universe is the renunciation of simple good versus evil structures. Characters rarely act out of pure idealism, but out of an interest in power, fear, loyalty or personal trauma. These moral gray areas make the characters credible and offer enormous narrative potential. New series can tap into this strength by shedding new light on well-known historical figures or by placing previously unknown characters in complex conflicts. It is precisely this ambivalence that distinguishes "Game of Thrones" from classic fantasy.
Political intrigue as a timeless narrative device
Political power games, alliances and betrayal are at the heart of the series. These themes are timeless and universally understandable, regardless of the fantasy setting. The universe allows political systems to be shown in a wide variety of forms – from feudal monarchies to free cities and religious forms of rule. Each new series can vary and adapt these structures without losing the core of the franchise. This keeps the narrative concept fresh, while at the same time making it feel familiar.
Dragons, magic and myths as flexible elements
Magic is used in deliberate doses in the "Game of Thrones" universe. It is mysterious, dangerous and often unpredictable. Dragons, prophecies and ancient powers tend to exist on the fringes of the plot, but gain importance whenever the balance of the world shifts. This flexible use of fantastical elements allows new series to either remain realistic and political or go more mythical. Animation, prequels or more experimental formats particularly benefit from this openness.
Different formats for different stories
Another reason for the great potential lies in the variety of formats. Not every story has to be told as a large-scale epic series. Mini-series, anthologies or animated formats make it possible to tell smaller, self-contained stories or focus on unknown characters. This allows the universe to be expanded without becoming narratively overloaded or diluting the main line.
Conclusion: A world that is far from finished
The "Game of Thrones" universe offers far more than just the story of the Iron Throne. Its historical depth, cultural diversity and complex characters make it an almost inexhaustible source for new series. As long as creative approaches and narrative care remain at the forefront, Westeros still has many stories to tell – and viewer interest is unlikely to wane any time soon.
