‘Game Of Thrones’ Will Film Multiple Endings For The Series Finale To Avoid Spoilers
As HBO learned through itsprolonged dealings with hackers this summer, the internet is dark and full of spoilers. And as the network’s flagship shows nears its end, the frenzy for spoilers of just howGame of Throneswill conclude will soon reach its peak.
It’s no wonder that HBO will go above and beyond to prevent as many spoilers from hitting the internet as possible. The newest strategy:Game of Thronesis shooting multiple endings of its series finale.
HBO Programming PresidentCasey Bloystold local Pennyslvania newspaperThe Morning Callthat the network is planning to shoot multiple variations ofGame of Thronesseason 8’s final episode.
“I know in Game of Thrones, the ending, they’re going to shoot multiple versions so that nobody really know what happens. You have to do that on a long show. Because when you’re shooting something, people know. So they’re going to shoot multiple versions so that there’s no real definitive answer until the end.”
It’s an old TV trick thatGame of Throneshas used before. Kit Harington has said that the HBO fantasy showshot multiple fake scenesto throw off the local paparazzi during the production of season 7 — with the fake scenes taking up to five hours each to shoot.Game of Thronesmay also be taking a cue fromThe Walking Dead, which shot multiple scenes of the aftermath of the season 6 cliffhanger, turning the hiatus into a guessing game of “Who did Negan kill?” In that case, AMC participated in a somewhat cruel troll of fans, but HBO is likely trying to save fans from themselves.
There’s been no show on TV that has such a delicate balance with spoiler culture, with each season hinging on some game-changing twist or death, starting with the beheading of Sean Bean’s Ned Stark in the first season. Since then,Game of Throneshas only increased the veil of secrecy as the tumult around spoilers has escalated.
The multiple finale variations is a painstaking strategy to avoid spoilers, but it is probably worth it after HBO’s tiresome experience with hackers this summer — who actually weren’t responsible for the majority of theGame of Thronesepisode leaks. Ironically, most of those were accidental releases by HBO distributors themselves, which makes us wonder if the network is tamping down on its distribution process in addition to putting its actors through this arduous process. But better safe than sorry.
Game of Thronesseason 8 is set to premiere on HBO in late 2018 or early 2019.
