George RR Martin did not show up for the Los Angeles premiere of House of the Dragon, HBO’s new Game of Thrones spinoff series, on Wednesday night. The writer and creator of the fantasy world Westeros tested positive for COVID-19 in the days following his appearance at the House of the Dragon presentation in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
“I wanted to start today by introducing George RR Martin and telling you how amazing it is to have George on our journey,” HBO and HBO MAX chief content officer Casey Bloys said as he addressed the premiere audience turned. “Unfortunately George got COVID at Comic-Con so he’s not here. I think he’s feeling fine, so no need to worry.”
“I wanted to tell you what a joy it is and how fortunate we are to have the architect of this world with us on this journey,” Bloys continued. “He was fantastic.”
Last Saturday, during the show’s Comic-Con panel, Martin directly addressed the issue of COVID-19, sharing that he’s been exercising caution and staying social distancing throughout the pandemic. Martin stated that he spent a lot of time at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico and decided not to visit the “House of the Dragon” set during production.
The author also confirmed that he is focusing his attention on completing work on The Winds of Winter, the long-awaited, reportedly penultimate entry in his Game of Thrones novel series.
“You may not know, but there’s this book I’m writing, it’s a little late,” Martin said at Comic-Con. “I don’t see myself visiting a set or doing anything until I’ve completed and delivered this book.”
Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapotchnik, who serve as co-executive producers and co-showrunners on House of the Dragon, then took the stage at the premiere. The duo introduced the evening screening of the series pilot, which Condal wrote and Soptochnik directed.
“‘House of the Dragon’ could not exist without the wonderful work and words of George RR Martin,” said Conda. “We are incredibly grateful that he had the courage to entrust his work to me as the writer and Miguel as the director.”
House of the Dragon airs August 21 on HBO and HBO Max.