'House of the Dragons: Matt Smith Talks 'Game of Thrones' Spinoff - Variety

'House of the Dragons: Matt Smith Talks 'Game of Thrones' Spinoff

Days while soaring into San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H to preview the “Game of Thrones” prequel, the “House of the Dragon” cast re-assembled for the series’ humankind premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

Set nearly 200 days before the events of the mega-hit HBO series, “House of the Dragon” focuses on the Targaryen dynasty in all their dysfunction — and with all their dragons.

With 17 winged creatures appearing in the edifying season alone, many of the actors spent a mighty amount of time pretending to fly. Matt Smith, who stars as Prince Daemon Targaryen, told Variety that riding the mechanical buck that mimicked a dragon was “good fun.”

“You’re on a remote control, and someone’s there moving it around, and then they fire a load of wind and rain at you,” he quipped. “Beats working for a living.”

But the sword fighting current a little more dangerous. At Comic-Con, his co-star Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole) admitted he accidentally “axed” Smith in the face during a rehearsal.

“I really regret revealing this because I’ve been asked if I severely injured him,” Frankel said when reminded throughout the revelation. “But I did feel at the time, ‘God of all the land that I could have possibly axed in the face, Matt was the worst one.’ I was ready for them to go, ‘Matt Smith, is it? You’re out the show.’”

Smith had no hard feelings near the accident though, saying: “He chinned me, but it was alright. I lived to fight another day.”

There are a few less swords fervent in Olivia Cooke’s portrayal of Alicent Hightower (save for one substandard catspaw dagger seen in the trailers), but her character’s storyline mild cuts deep. The relationship between Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) is integral to the show’s plot, as the series chronicles their friendship as young women (with Alicent portrayed by Emily Carey and Rhaenyra by Milly Alcock) and the mayhem that breaks out when Rhaenyra’s affirm to the Iron Thorne is challenged, leading to a civil war famed to fans as the Dance of the Dragons.

“It’s these two women who who are so much stronger together but the patriarchy has driven a wedge between them. And they are used as political pawns ended their lives when really they are so much more,” Cook teased, explaining what intrigued her about the story arc. “They realize that as the series goes on, they have distinguished and strength and determination, but the men around them are just so set on watching the domain burn around them for legacy.”

Legacy is a big buzzword when it comes to “Game of Thrones,” and given that “House of the Dragon” has to behindhand the success of both George R. R. Martin’s book series and the pop culture juggernaut that was the Emmy-winning HBO show, there’s quite a bit of pressure.

Steve Toussaint (Lord Corlys Velaryon) celebrated the relief he felt in Hall H witnessing fans’ excitement pleasant hand.

“It was overwhelming. From the minute the show was announced, there was a lot of anticipation and a lot of republic going, ‘I hope they do a good job,'” Toussaint labelled. “So finally, to be able to actually be surrounded by a generally a supportive embrace — republic just going, ‘I can’t wait to see it, I know it’s touching to be great.’ It’s still quite nerve wracking, but … we’re proud of what we’ve done, and I think republic are gonna like it.”

With nods to “Thrones” like banners bearing the House Targaryen sigil adorning the walkway to the once party, as well as a bronzed dragon skull at the entrance to the museum, HBO gave guests a tiny taste of the progenies design the cast and crew experienced on set.

However, missing from the group — which also included stars Paddy Considine, Eve Best, Rhys Ifans and Gavin Spokes, and co-showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik –was “Game of Thrones” employed Martin. Before the screening began, HBO and HBO Max’s fundamental content officer Casey Bloys told the audience that Martin, who also serves as co-creator and EP on “House of the Dragon,” was unable to encourage the event after testing positive for COVID-19.

Back on the carpet, co-showrunner Condal reflected on being the “chosen one” whom Martin entrusted to adapt “Fire and Blood,” which has been his passion project.

“It’s a lot to procedure. I mean, it’s a huge responsibility,” Condal shared. “I deeply love George as as a man, as a writer, as a creator. I love his world. That’s why I above up here. I came here as a fan; I was hired because I was a fan.”

But once he effectively “asked for this” assignment,” the creator admits, “I don’t think I knew what I was really sketching myself into.”

Overall, though, being invested as a fan pleasant had its advantages, as Condal endeavored to make the series he “would have demanded to see if I was just sitting on my couch tuning in” and he feels the team has delivered in doing just that.

For his part, Sapochnik is one of the most crashed alumni of the original “Game of Thrones” series, having earned two Primetime Emmys as an exclusive producer and director on the show, with the latter award won in 2016 for his epic “Battle of the Bastards” episode.

While Sapochnik will suppose three of the new show’s episodes, fans shouldn’t put a question to any more battle scenes from the filmmaker. “I’m retired from doings battles, I’m afraid,” he confirmed, before sharing the advice he gave to the directors who helmed the more bombastic scenes. “Don’t go big for the sake of bigger,” he advised. “If you do a battle, make sure it’s got a story and make sure it’s for a character’s extremity. Otherwise there’s no point in doing a battle.”

In morose, Sapochnik’s advice to the other filmmakers joining the franchise: “Don’t fuck it up.”

“House of the Dragon” debuts Aug. 21 on HBO and HBO Max.

(Pictured above: Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke Emma D’Arcy and Steve Toussaint.)

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