George R.R. Martin is back in the spotlight with a new series set in Westeros arriving on Sunday, and that always brings the same big question roaring back: what is he really planning for ‘A Song of Ice and Fire‘?
Fans may have already seen one ending through ‘Game of Thrones‘, but Martin’s latest comments suggest the real finale is still waiting, and it won’t look the way viewers remember it.
George R.R. Martin’s Books Aren’t Following ‘Game Of Thrones’ Roadmap
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, George R.R. Martin directly addressed the question he has been asked for over a decade: whether his book series will end the same way ‘Game of Thrones‘ did. Answering that, Martin said the book ending is “going to be significantly different.”
He also confirmed that character outcomes will not match the show’s final lineup. As Martin put it, “Some characters who are alive in my book are going to be dead in the show, and vice versa.” That one statement alone suggests the novels are taking a slightly altered route.
Even though Martin has openly shown frustration about being asked about the unfinished books again and again, he still gave enough detail to make it obvious that his final version of Westeros will not copy the HBO roadmap.
Fewer “Safe” Choices And A Darker Final Outcome
Martin hinted that he originally planned to kill off more characters than the show did, but he stressed that the deaths wouldn’t necessarily match what TV viewers had already seen. “I was going to kill more people,” he said, quickly adding, “Not the ones they killed [in the show].” So even fans who think they already know the biggest shocks may still be in for a brutal surprise.
He also suggested that the show leaned toward a more optimistic wrap-up than he ever intended. Martin said, “They made it more of a happy ending,” before pointing to Tyrion as a character he doesn’t see getting anything close to that. He made his feelings clear: he doesn’t see “a happy ending for Tyrion,” because Tyrion’s story has been “tragic from the first.”
In case you missed it: Why The Night King Should Have Been The Final Enemy On ‘Game Of Thrones’
Sansa also came up as a character whose fate may change depending on Martin’s final choices. He revealed that he once planned to kill her, but her popularity on the show has made him hesitate. “I was going to have Sansa die, but she’s been so appealing in the show. Maybe I’ll let her live,” he said. However, even now, some pieces remain in flux.
Even with these fresh details, George R.R. Martin doesn’t have the ending neatly locked and ready to deliver. He admitted that writing often leads to second-guessing and rewrites. With the delays stretching on, some fans have speculated that another author could someday finish the saga.
