Netflix has signed “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss to a massive overall deal that will encompass both TV and film.
The streamer landed the duo over other media companies that were vying for the two’s services, including Amazon, Disney and even HBO’s parent WarnerMedia. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are thrilled to welcome master storytellers David Benioff and Dan Weiss to Netflix,” said Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos. “They are a creative force and have delighted audiences worldwide with their epic storytelling. We can’t wait to see what their imaginations will bring to our members.”
The two are currently set to write and produce the first “Star Wars” film after this December’s “Rise of Skywalker” for Disney-owned LucasFilm, slated to hit theaters in 2022. While Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the upcoming 2022 release is from the two, he wouldn’t comment on whether or not any of the other two films in 2024 and 2026 will come from them. “The Last Jedi” director Rian Johnson is also developing his own trilogy of “Star Wars” films.
“We’ve had a beautiful run with HBO for more than a decade and we’re grateful to everyone there for always making us feel at home,” Benioff and Weiss said. “Over the past few months we’ve spent many hours talking to Cindy Holland and Peter Friedlander, as well as Ted Sarandos and Scott Stuber. We remember the same shots from the same ’80s movies; we love the same books; we’re excited about the same storytelling possibilities. Netflix has built something astounding and unprecedented, and we’re honored they invited us to join them.”
Though they didn’t have a deal with HBO, Benioff and Weiss spent the last decade with the pay cable network in charge of “Game of Thrones,” which has won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama for its last three seasons. The George R.R. Martin adaptation, which is up for the same award this year, holds the record for both most nominations for any show in Emmy history and the most nominations for any single season. “Game of Thrones” ended its run after eight seasons in May.
Landing the two adds more powerful producing talent for Netflix, which has in the last few years signed the likes of Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy, as it prepares to ward off new challengers for the streaming iron throne. Disney, Apple, NBCUniversal and even Benioff and Weiss’ old home at WarnerMedia are launching their own streaming services within the next year.
The final season of “Game of Thrones” was divisive among fans of the series — there was even a petition pleading with HBO to re-do the eight season — with the series finale “The Iron Throne” among the most criticized. The backlash from some fans regarding the show’s ending is a topic Benioff and Weiss have yet to address. The two were scheduled to participate in a Q&A during the show’s farewell panel at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this month, but dropped out at the last minute.
The deal for Benioff and Weiss was first reported by Deadline.
11 Most Memorable 'Beverly Hills, 90210' Moments: From the Dress Incident to Donna and David's Wedding (Photos)
The meta-revival of "Beverly Hills, 90210" -- dubbed "BH90210" -- premieres Wednesday on Fox. The limited series will see original cast members Tori Spelling (Donna Martin), Brian Austin Green (David Silver), Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh), Jason Priestley (Brandon Walsh), Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor), Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders) and Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea Zuckerman) all return to play fictionalized versions of themselves — “with a healthy dose of irreverence” — as they try to get a revival of their old show off the ground. And because "BH90210" is about bringing back "90210," TheWrap thought the best way to mark the occasion was to remind you of some of the most memorable moments from the original series, including those with the late Luke Perry (Dylan McKay). Click through our gallery to reminisce about the gang who used to hang at the Peach Pit.
When Brenda and Kelly wore the SAME dress to the spring formal. And we got this iconic line: "Brenda, how could you?"
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When everyone makes sure Donna gets to graduate. The school board wasn't going to let her after she got drunk at prom, but the gang didn't stand for that.
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When Valerie replaced Brenda. The show said goodbye to Shannen Doherty and hello to Tiffani Thiessen, who immediately proved she was bad by smoking a joint in the Walshes house.
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David's weird condom jingle. Actually, maybe you don't remember this -- and that's a good thing.
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When Toni dies in the same episode that she marries Dylan. Might be one of the most heartbreaking moments of the entire series.
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David's heartbreaking speech about Scott. David has a break down after his childhood best friend Scott accidentally kills himself and the whole thing is broadcast over the school radio. David says he doesn't care, as he shames himself over the guilt he feels for abandoning his buddy for the cooler crowd.
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When Dylan didn't "do cameras." And made this very clear to David, who was trying to record him.
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When Kelly chooses herself over Dylan and Brandon. And literally says "I choose me," while reminding them she'll always love them both.
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Dylan's dad unexpectedly dies. In the episode titled "Dead End," Dylan's dad, Jack, dies in a car explosion, leading to blood-curdling scream session from a guy who is usually incapable of losing his cool.
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When David walks in on Kelly. A horrifyingly embarrassing moment between on-screen friends if ever there was one.
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Donna and David's wedding. The "90210" series finale gave us these long-awaited nuptials and reunited members of the original cast who came back to celebrate the end of the show -- or what they then thought was the end.
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”Brenda, how could you?!?“
The meta-revival of "Beverly Hills, 90210" -- dubbed "BH90210" -- premieres Wednesday on Fox. The limited series will see original cast members Tori Spelling (Donna Martin), Brian Austin Green (David Silver), Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh), Jason Priestley (Brandon Walsh), Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor), Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders) and Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea Zuckerman) all return to play fictionalized versions of themselves — “with a healthy dose of irreverence” — as they try to get a revival of their old show off the ground. And because "BH90210" is about bringing back "90210," TheWrap thought the best way to mark the occasion was to remind you of some of the most memorable moments from the original series, including those with the late Luke Perry (Dylan McKay). Click through our gallery to reminisce about the gang who used to hang at the Peach Pit.