Game Of Thrones Showrunners End HBO Stint With USD 200 Mn Sign-Over To Netflix
Game Of Thrones ended rather controversially, as you already know. Some liked the resolution, some – well, many – did not. Irrespective of that, the brains behind what is still regarded as the world’s most-watched TV series, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, have ended their HBO run. The duo has signed a reported USD 200 Mn deal which finds them a new home at Netflix.
Netflix has been spend-happy as of late, bringing in show creators in a blatant bid to be the best. The deal with the writers of Game of Thrones is a multiyear contract, and these creators have literally been looking for a new challenge since they ended the final season of their epic show. According to Deadline, Netflix beat HBO parent WarnerMedia, Disney, Amazon, Apple, and Comcast for these two creatives.
While nothing has been heard from Netflix or David and Dan about the real value of the deal, we understand the development will help the streaming giant come up with and develop new as well as compelling projects, exclusively so.
Reports say that in spite of the HBO run wrap-up, the creators will in the meantime, fulfill their existing commitment to an ongoing multi-film contract with Disney for the Star Wars franchise.
Apparently, Weiss and Benioff have been wooed by up to six studios for their creative prowess. This development comes almost three months after Netflix’s contextual rivals tried to ink deals with the duo for an overall global contract to write, produce and direct new series and films.
The nine-figure development is in the range of Netflix’s other mega-deals with show creators such as Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes, both of whom are now Netflix property.
Ryan Murphy’s deal was closed last year. Netflix paid USD 300 Mn for a five-year contract with the producer of titles such as Glee and the American Horror Story.
The streaming platform spent USD 100 Mn bringing over the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and How To Get Away With Murder, Shonda Rhimes, to produce eight shows.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said: “We are thrilled to welcome master storytellers David Benioff and Dan Weiss to Netflix. 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.”
David Benioff & Dan Weiss said: “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. 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.”
