After arguing about the period of Robert’s Rebellion as the fan favorite for the Game of Thrones movie, the Internet turned, and favoritism returned to a little-explored part of history: The Doom of Valyria. That’s right, going back—and quite a bit—in time.

The popularity and the bet make sense: in this period, there were many dragons, something that would be out of history in the part in which Robert Baratheon became king. There are also the Targaryens and the Velaryons, and the great mystery of a civilization decimated without explanation.

If this is the choice, it would be very close to what is expected from the series Aegon’s Conquest, which is right after The Doom of Valyria. This series, still in the formatting stages, was mentioned in April 2023 by Variety magazine, which reported that HBO was exploring a series centered on this part of the book Fire and Blood. Showrunner Mattson Tomlin (The Batman) will sign the adaptation. A film would be the best prequel fans could dream of. And yes, I say it again, there would be LOTS of dragons.

The cataclysmic event of Valyria is mentioned in both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, and the original series had scenes of Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) passing through the ruins of the place. The explosion, which was inspired by the story of Pompeii, marks the fall of the Valyrian Freehold, the powerful empire of which House Targaryen was a part. The fire was so intense that not even the dragons could resist, and for this reason, it is one of the greatest mysteries of the saga created by George R. R. Martin.

Before it was destroyed, Valyria was the center of civilization and a grand city, where several houses – much more than the Targaryens – vied for power. The Targaryens escaped ruin because they fled to Dragonstone 12 years before the tragedy, taking dragons with them and continuing the legacy of Valyria in Westeros. Let’s remember that among themselves, even generations later, the Targaryens spoke in Valyrian, and the question of what triggered the cataclysm that wiped Valyria from the known world is essential to understanding future representatives. Furthermore, having hundreds of dragons, as I said, is irresistible for the Cinema.

Unsurprisingly, the actress that many say they want for Aegon’s Conquest, Anya Taylor-Joy, is already a name requested by fans without even knowing who lived or ruled in Valyria, but everyone thinks she is perfect to “lead a film as a Valyrian dragon lady”.

Another advantage that fans of the franchise argue is that being in a series would be a greater time commitment for the actress, but a film would not interfere with her participation in Dune: Part Two, where she will play Alia Atreides, nor even the second part of Furiosa: The Mad Max Saga. It helps a lot that Anya has declared herself a fan of the Targaryens.

And she is not alone. The appeal of the Targaryens generated the book about them, and the series House of the Dragon, a film where they are prominently featured, is an announced success. Besides, at this point, everyone loves the metaphor about politics with elements of epic fantasy; it is a perfect combination.

What do you know about The Ruin of Valyria?

History and Ruin of Valyria

1. Valyria: Before its destruction, Valyria was a powerful civilization known for its magic, dragons, and the ability to work with dragon glass (also called obsidian). The city was the center of the Valyrian Empire, which conquered much of the continent of Essos.
   
2. Cataclysm: The Doom of Valyria, also known as “The Great Sundering,” occurred about 400 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The exact cause of the catastrophe is unknown, but it is believed that an event linked to magical manipulation caused the civilization’s downfall. The consequences included earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the desolation of its cities.
   
3. Survivors: The Targaryens, who were on one of their islands, Dragonstone, at the time of the destruction, were the only nobles to escape. This led to their rise to power in Westeros, where they used their dragons to conquer the continent.
   
4. The Ruin Today: The site of ancient Valyria is now a dangerous and cursed place, often visited by adventurers but rarely inhabited. Travelers who venture there report that the air is heavy and the land is filled with ruins and strange creatures.

Movie Potential

The Doom of Valyria has great potential to be adapted into a film or series, for several reasons:

• Mystery and Intrigue: The mysterious nature of the event that led to the destruction of Valyria could be explored in a plot full of suspense and revelations, involving magic and political conflict.
  
• History of the Targaryens: A narrative that follows the survival of the Targaryens and their journey back to Westeros could deepen our understanding of draconic culture and the complexity of House Targaryen.
  
• Visual Exploration: Valyria, with its grand architecture and presence of dragons, would provide a stunning visual backdrop, ideal for a fantasy film production.
  

Who would be in the story?

• Aegon Targaryen (Aegon the Conqueror)
  Although he lived after the Ruin of Valyria, his story could be explored as a way to close the narrative with the survivors of Valyria, showing their rise to power and how the legacy of Valyria influenced their decisions.
  
• Daenys Targaryen
  Known as “Daenys the Dreamer,” she is a pivotal figure in Targaryen history, famous for having had a vision of the Ruin of Valyria that led her family to flee before the catastrophe. Her character could be central to the narrative, showing her struggle to convince her family to leave Valyria and the consequences of her vision.
  
• Aemon Targaryen
  He could be portrayed as one of the dragons who lived during the time of Valyria, dealing with the internal politics and use of magic that eventually led to the catastrophe.
  
• A Valyrian Mystic
  A character representing Valyria’s magical elite could be introduced, showing the quest for power and ambition that led to the civilization’s destruction. This character could be either an antagonist or a protagonist in a redemption arc.
  
• An Explorer from Essos
  A character from Essos, perhaps a merchant or adventurer who witnesses the events of the Ruin, could provide an outside perspective on the civilization of Valyria and its fall, helping to connect the story to other elements of the Game of Thrones universe.
  
• Characters from Other Noble Houses
  Other houses from Westeros, which may have a stake in Valyria and its dragons, could be introduced to add conflict and enrich the narrative, showing the repercussions of Valyria’s fall on the continent.

In Valyria, several noble houses were notable for their power and influence, especially due to their connection to dragons. The major Valyrian houses included:

• House Targaryen
  The Targaryens were the most famous house in Valyria, and after the fall, they became the only surviving family. They were known for their dragons and their skill in taming them.
  
• House Velaryon
  Allies of the Targaryens, the Velaryons were known for their naval prowess and wealth. They also had Valyrian blood and owned dragons and were one of the most influential houses before and after the Ruin.
  
• House Celtigar
  One of the lesser houses, the Celtigars were known for their wealth and were based on the Oaken Isles, which belonged to Valyria. They were also allies of the Targaryens.
  
• House Blackwood
  Another lesser house, the Blackwoods, was known for its rivalry with the Brackens. While not as prominent as the other houses, they still had ties to Valyrian culture.
  
• House Manderly
  Although not directly from Valyria, the Manderlys have a historical connection to Valyrian civilization, having settled in Winterfell and formed ties with the Valyrian houses.
  

These houses were some of the most prominent in Valyria, and their influence and legacy endured even after the Great Sundering. House Targaryen, in particular, became central to the story of Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire.

Who would you like to see in the film?

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