Just when you thought Westeros couldn’t get any bigger, HBO stepped up to prove us all wonderfully wrong. As Season 2 of the fiery hit “House of the Dragon” prepares to dominate screens this June, fresh developments beneath the surface suggest something even more epic is cooking at Warner Bros. Discovery HQ. Because, let’s face it, dragons, fiery politics, and platinum-blonde wigs just never get old.
Recently, eagle-eyed fantasy-fans discovered a juicy treasure buried in the depths of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filings: HBO quietly registered trademarks for “Aegon’s Conquest” and “Ninepenny Kings”. Naturally, social media exploded. Is HBO secretly building an expansive Targaryen universe? Could we soon see years of spin-offs, prequels, and sequels sprawling out to infinity? That’s definitely the vibe HBO execs are sending, calling this ambitious master plan their “next Mandalorian play.” In other words: buckle up, Thrones fans—we’ve only just gotten started.
Trademark Triggers Twitter Meltdown (Again)
Let’s unpack this juicy leak first. Around the first week of May, online fansites and Westeros die-hards noticed Warner Bros. Discovery had filed intriguing trademarks. “Aegon’s Conquest” and “Ninepenny Kings” popped up in the paperwork, hinting directly at two iconic—and until now unexplored—events from George R.R. Martin’s intricate tapestry of lore:
- Aegon’s Conquest naturally hints at the original Targaryen takeover, the epic saga of Aegon I conquering the Seven Kingdoms via dragonfire.
- Ninepenny Kings, meanwhile, references the infamous conflict involving rebellious lords and mercenaries attempting to overthrow House Targaryen decades later.
Naturally, Westeros Twitter went completely bananas at these revelations, rocketing hashtags like #AegonsConquest and #NinepennyKings to the trending list faster than you could say “Dracarys.” Fans debated potential casting, showrunners, and character arcs. It’s safe to say the fandom’s appetite, even after so many years, hasn’t shrunk a bit.
Then things got even juicier.
The Infamous Writers-Room Leak—Oops!
Leaked photos supposedly from HBO’s writer room surfaced briefly on X before vanishing faster than Night King ice in dragon breath. These snaps revealed messy whiteboards and scribbly notes referencing key plot points from both trademarked titles. Of course, screenshots are forever, so these hints went viral in minutes.
Social buzz erupted once again. Could this leak confirm full-length series, mini-series, or maybe even cinematic specials covering pivotal historical Targaryen events? Fan theories multiplied, expectations soared, and suddenly everyone was mentally casting their dream casts online. (Timothée Chalamet as young Aegon perhaps? Twitter seems divided.)
HBO’s Grand Targaryen-Verse Vision: Their “Next Mandalorian”?
The phrase “next Mandalorian play” comes straight from the top. During recent Warner Bros. Discovery earnings calls, Disney’s “Mandalorian” strategy came up—notable because of just how successful Disney has been taking one prized IP and spinning it into a universe. Execs confidently hinted that HBO plans a similarly expansive approach for the Targaryen saga.
Like Disney layering impressive spin-offs (“The Book of Boba Fett”, “Ahsoka”) from the “Star Wars” galaxy, HBO clearly believes the tangled, rugged, fiery lore of Westeros—especially centered around dragon-riding Targaryens—can power multiple interconnected series.
The excitement is understandable:
- Rich History: George R.R. Martin has authored extensive historical timelines around Aegon’s rise and further Targaryen conflicts.
- Fan Appetite: The overwhelming success of Season 1 (“House of the Dragon” drew record ratings for HBO, averaging 29 million viewers per episode globally).
- Universe Model: Expanding the Thrones universe promises consistent content on HBO for at least the next decade, potentially rivaling longstanding mega franchises like Marvel and Star Wars.
Clearly, HBO smells franchise gold and plans to dig deep.
Current Project Status: Everything Confirmed (And Semi-Confirmed)
Aside from these tantalizing hints, HBO currently has several irons in the Westeros fire:
- “House of the Dragon” Season 2
Premiering June 16, 2024, the new season amps up Dance-of-the-Dragons tension. Trailers released in May 2025 promise peak Targaryen drama—betrayal, battles, and dragonfire galore through eight intense episodes finishing August 4, 2024.
- “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”
This confirmed adaptation of Martin’s beloved novellas follows Ser Duncan and squire Egg who eventually rules as Aegon V Targaryen. Enthusiasm surged when HBO teased late 2025 or early 2026 premieres at recent conventions.
- Possible Animated Velaryon Spin-Off “Nine Voyages”
Industry insiders speculate “Nine Voyages” focusing on Corlys Velaryon may pivot to animation to control ballooning budgets. This spin-off could neatly tie into the wider Targaryen-verse via shared characters, ships, and historical background.
Why Fans Are Buzzing, Debating, and Slightly Worried
Like any fiercely protective fanbase, the “Game of Thrones” community simultaneously craves and fears expansion. Among Reddit and Twitter chatter:
- Optimism: Fans obsess over dream castings, imagining epic battles—especially Aegon’s legendary conquest sequences riding his dragon, Balerion.
- Skepticism: Conversely, some worry HBO risks over-saturation. Noting challenges Disney faced with Marvel franchise fatigue, will Westeros risk similar burnout?
- High Expectations: Given the divisive original GoT series finale, everyone eyes these new series warily. Can they live up to “House of the Dragon”‘s recent upward trajectory?
Fan input floods discussions constantly—ensuring HBO hears passionate audience voices on all sides related to potential spin-offs.
Building the Future: “Mandalorian-style” cohesion?
The pivotal question: how interconnected might these various Targaryen series be?
Industry experts expect HBO to mimic Disney’s coherent narrative model used by “Mandalorian” creator Jon Favreau. That means clear overlaps, occasional character crossovers, unified aesthetics, and maybe even culminating events akin to Mandalorian’s “Filoni-verse” crossover film planned for 2026.
Certainly, Westeros has remarkably dense source material perfect for this method:
- Multiple generations spanning centuries.
- Clear “event” stories ideal as standalone mini-shows (“Aegon’s Conquest”) or seasonal arcs (“Ninepenny Kings”).
- Shared visual style (period costumes, dragon VFX teams) ensuring consistent brand aesthetics.
Final Words (before dragons burn them out)
HBO’s quiet trademark moves and scattered evidence suggest a carefully orchestrated campaign designed to keep fans enthralled. The Targaryen legacy, bursting with drama, power struggles, and dragons by the dozen, seems perfect fodder for HBO’s sprawling franchise ambitions.
Smart money bets HBO’s quietly laying the foundation for another decade filled with blood, drama, and dragons blazing across screens. From Aegon’s brutal conquest to the gritty struggles of “Ninepenny Kings,” Westeros fans have plenty of history still to explore.
So dust off your Valyrian steel swords and get your dragon saddles back on. Looks like HBO intends to keep us craving more Westeros mayhem, drama, and—most importantly—dragons, for a very long time. After all, there’s no such thing as “too many dragons.” HBO’s counting on it.
