Marvel’s S.J. Clarkson tapped to helm Game of Thrones prequel pilot & more

When filming for HBO's GAME OF THRONES prequel pilot begins, it's been announced that Marvel Netflix alumna S.J. Clarkson (THE DEFENDERS, JESSICA JONES) will be at the helm of the highly-anticipated series. In addition to directing the pilot, Clarkson will also executive produce the episode penned by Jane Goldman and George R.R. Martin.

Alongside the news of Clarkson being tapped as director of the episode, it's also been revealed that several players have recently been added to the GAME OF THRONES prequel cast. Now set to appear as series regulars for the sci-fi fantasy show are Naomi Ackie (LADY MACBETH, STAR WARS: EPISODE IX), Denis Gough (ROBIN HOOD, WITCHER: THE WILD HUNT), Jamie Campbell Bower (ROCKNROLLA, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES), Sheila Atim (GIRL FROM NORTH COUNTRY, HARLOTS), Ivanno Jeremiah (DOCTOR WHO, BLACK MIRROR), Georgie Henley (THE SPANISH PRINCESS, NARNIA franchise), Alex Sharp (HOW TO TALK TO GIRSL AT PARTIES, UFO), and Tony Regbo (REIGN, THE LAST KINGDOM). Of course, each of these aforementioned actors will join previously announced stars Naomi Watts (THE IMPOSSIBLE, KING KONG) and Josh Whitehouse (VALLEY GIRL, ALLEY CATS) for the prequel.

Not long ago, Clarkson was tapped to helm the fourth chapter of Paramount's rebooted STAR TREK franchise, though plans for that project have since been nixed. Had the project gone through, Clarkson would have been the first female director to helm a feature based on the legendary sci-fi exploration property.

As far as the GAME OF THRONES prequel is concerned, the story is said to take place thousands of years before the events of the original series. While chronicling the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes, Goldman and Martin's prequel aims to expose the horrifying secrets of Westeros’s history as well as the true origin of the white walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.

Meanwhile, HBO CEO Richard Piepler recently told Variety during the cable-network's Golden Globes party that GAME OF THRONES Season 8 will feel like six movies. He then elaborated by saying: "It’s a spectacle. The guys have done six movies. The reaction I had while watching them was, 'I’m watching a movie.' [David Benioff and D.B. Weiss] knew the bar was high. They’ve exceeded the bar. I’ve watched them twice without any CGI and I’m in awe. Everybody’s in for an extraordinary treat of storytelling and of magical, magical production."

HBO's GAME OF THRONES will come to an end this year, beginning with the debut of Season 8 this April. Who will live? Who will die? Who will sit upon the coveted Iron Throne, after all is said and done? It won't be long before we find out.