Brian Helgeland, the esteemed screenwriter behind ‘L.A. Confidential,’ ‘Mystic River,’ and the beloved 2001 comedy ‘A Knight’s Tale,’ nearly added a ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff series to his illustrious Hollywood portfolio. Helgeland’s proposed series, ‘Ten Thousand Ships,’ would have delved into the captivating tale of Queen Nymeria, the legendary founder of Dorne, as she leads her people on an epic journey across a fictionalized Mediterranean in search of a new home. Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Moses and the Israelites, Helgeland envisioned Nymeria as the guiding force for her people, paralleling Moses’s role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Helgeland’s pitch for ‘Ten Thousand Ships’ garnered initial interest from HBO, but ultimately, the series did not receive an official greenlight. Helgeland remains optimistic about the possibility of reviving the project in the future, acknowledging that ‘nothing is ever dead’ in the realm of entertainment. Helgeland’s passion for the project is evident in his vivid descriptions of Nymeria’s journey and his keen ability to weave together historical elements with mythological themes. The series would have been a captivating addition to the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe, offering a unique perspective on the rich tapestry of Westeros history. Despite its current status, ‘Ten Thousand Ships’ remains a testament to Helgeland’s imaginative storytelling and the enduring appeal of the ‘Game of Thrones’ franchise.
Brian Helgeland’s Unproduced ‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoff: ‘Ten Thousand Ships’
