Game Of Thrones fans’ disappointment with the final season is no secret.
And now star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau admits he ‘almost donated’ to one petition demanding HBO release a new ending because ‘so many people wanted it.’
The Danish actor, who played Jaime Lannister on the show, told Variety that he found the push for a fresh finale ‘hilarious’ but realized in the super-fandom ‘everyone had their own opinion.’
Game Of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau admitted he ‘almost donated’ to a petition demanding HBO produce a new finale for the show
‘I was aware of the petition for a new ending, which I thought was hilarious,’ the 50-year-old talent told the paper.
‘I almost wanted to donate to that petition,’ he went on, laughing at the idea of ‘HBO saying, “You’re right, so many people want it, we’re going to do it.”
But Nikolaj realizes why the end was so divisive, saying: ‘I think everyone had their own opinion.’
‘I find the world of fandom really interesting. Everyone wanted something specific and different from what they got.
Almost… ‘I almost wanted to donate to that petition,’ he went on, laughing at the idea of ‘HBO saying, “You’re right, so many people want it, we’re going to do it”
Complicated feelings: He also pointed out how the end of the eight-season series was probably hard on dedicated fans, telling Variety: ‘It’s a combination of — you imagine an ending; but also, I think if you’re a hardcore fan, it was really upsetting that it ended
He also pointed out how the end of the eight-season series was probably hard on dedicated fans, telling Variety: ‘It’s a combination of — you imagine an ending; but also, I think if you’re a hardcore fan, it was really upsetting that it ended.
‘You lived with this for eight seasons. There is still a massive community dedicated to Game of Thrones. I think there was a real fear that was going to go away. It had to end.’
Asked if he had an opinions about his character’s dramatic death, he mused: ‘Oh, how did it end? He was — no, it was fine. It was great. It was fine. How do you end that story? Let’s talk about this in 10 years, then you can talk about it. But now, I think it’s a little too recent.’
Despite a remarkable 32 Emmy nominations, the final season of the epic fantasy series was overwhelmingly panned by fans.
Not happy: Despite a remarkable 32 Emmy nominations, the final season of the epic fantasy series was overwhelmingly panned by fans, who banded together to ask for a redo
‘David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material (i.e. the books) to fall back on,’ the original viral petition stated.
‘This series deserves a final season that makes sense. Subvert my expectations and make it happen, HBO!’
Creators Benioff and Weiss were largely left to their own devices for the show’s final hurrah and Bloys described their contact with HBO execs as ‘minimal.’
‘When a show is in its sixth, seventh or eighth season, by that point there’s usually a rhythm between showrunners and the network as to what they expect,’ Bloys said.
‘David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material (i.e. the books) to fall back on,’ the original viral petition stated.
‘There are very, very few downsides to having a hugely popular show, but one I can think of is when you try to end it, many people have big opinions on how it should end,’ Bloys said.
The network likely didn’t expect the extreme ire from fans who were furious that the final season was riddled with plot holes and prop mishaps.
However, several members of the GoT cast leapt to the defense of its much-maligned final season in front of a boisterous crowd at San Diego Comic-Con last year, blaming the backlash on negative media coverage.
Organizers of the pop culture convention had to remind attendees before the retrospective panel to make the cast ‘feel welcome.’
While the cast drew a rapturous reception, Nikolaj was booed after describing his character’s death in the arms of his sister and lover Cersei as ‘perfect.’
Defending itself: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Liam Cunningham, Isaac Hempstead Wrightt, Maisie Williams, John Bradley, Conleth Hill and Jacob Anderson were among the Game Of Thrones cast at Comic-Con on Friday who defended the controversial final season
‘It made sense to me,’ said the actor, before being interrupted by a heckler.
‘This show has brought so many people together, watching it, loving it. So obviously when it comes to an end it’s going to piss you off no matter what… just don’t call people names,’ he added.
The remaining members expressed support for the final season, although Conleth Hill – who played Varys – joked: ‘I don’t regret starting the petition.’
He described the fan response to the show over the years as extremely positive, referring to the negativity as a ‘media-led hate campaign.’
‘It made sense to me’: Said Nikolaj (right) before being interrupted by a heckle