From the winter of the North to a galaxy far away: GoT TV series creators to write Star Wars films

David Benioff (L) and Dan Weiss, creators and executive producers, arrive for the season premiere of HBO's "Game of Thrones" in San Francisco, California March 23, 2015. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith - GF10000036239

In a development that has left the world of TV and movies both excited and in wonder, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss the writers of one of the biggest TV series ever produced Game of Thrones - have been tasked to write and produce a new series the multi-billion dollar movie franchise Star Wars.

The announcement came from Disney which owns Lucasfilm – the George Lucas-owned production firm behind the Star Wars franchise. Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012 for Rs 4.06 billion.

Benioff and Weiss are known for adapting George RR Martin’s fantasy fiction book series A Game of Thrones into the TV series whose every episode’s production bill runs into millions.

As per a report from Variety, the new series of Star Wars films would possibly follow a new storyline and will be separate from the current storyline that will wrap up in 2019 after the release of Star Wars: Episode IX.

Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, was quoted in the report saying, “David and Dan are some of the best storytellers working today. Their command of complex characters, depth of story and richness of mythology will break new ground and boldly push Star Wars in ways I find incredibly exciting.”

Game of Thrones will also conclude in 2019.

The Star Wars franchise, since 1977 until now, has earned over USD 8 billion in revenues.

Benioff and Weiss in a joint statement said, “In the summer of 1977 we travelled to a galaxy far, far away, and we’ve been dreaming of it ever since. We are honoured by the opportunity, a little terrified by the responsibility, and so excited to get started as soon as the final season of ‘Game of Thrones’ is complete.”

There hasn’t been any timeline laid out by Disney about when the films written by Benioff and Weiss will go to the floors.

The latest Star Wars movie earned over a billion dollars in just 21 days of its release.