Everything We Know About The Aegon’s Conquest Movie (So Far)

Aegon the Conqueror’s conquest of Westeros is one of the most important events in Game of Thrones lore, yet it has never been depicted on screen. That will finally change with HBO’s movie about the Targaryen conquest, which is being developed as the franchise’s first theatrical release, rather than another TV series. It’s exceptionally exciting for fans of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy story, but fans don’t know much about the Aegon’s Conquest movie just yet.

House of the Dragon is set to conclude with a fourth season, but another part of the Fire & Blood book will be adapted for Aegon’s Conquest. Few details about the upcoming feature film have so far been confirmed, but fortunately for fans of the franchise, there will not be a drought of content while waiting for the Game of Thrones movie, as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 will release in 2027.

What Was Aegon’s Conquest?

Aegon’s Conquest began in 2 BC, when Aegon Targaryen and his sisters/wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, invaded Westeros with their three dragons. At the time, Westeros was fractured into warring kingdoms, but the three Targaryen siblings launched a campaign to unite the kingdoms forcefully under his rule. Aegon had the advantage of three enormous dragons – Balerion the Black Dread, Vhagar, and Maraxes – and also relied heavily on intimidation, diplomacy, and the willingness of some Westerosi rulers to surrender rather than face the destruction that Targaryens could inflict.

Aegon initially landed at the mouth of Black Water Rush and eventually established Aegonfort, a wooden stronghold on what would later be the site of King’s Landing. One of Aegon’s earliest victories came at the Field of Fire, where the combined forces of King Loren Lannister of the Rock and King Mern IX of the Reach confronted the Targaryen army. The epic battle demonstrated just how terrifying a dragon advantage could be; Aegon and his sisters attacked the enormous army from above, with the three beasts burning their way through the opposing forces while others died by swords, spears, and arrows.

Harren Hoare, the Vale, and Torrhen Stark provided different challenges, but Dorne was the biggest exception. The Dornish didn’t submit to Aegon’s rule and instead used guerrilla tactics, hid in strongholds, and refused to give Aegon the decisive battle he wanted. Plenty more important events happened after Aegon’s crowning as King of the Andals, Rhoynar, First Men, and the Seven Kingdoms (even though Dorne was independent), including the forging of the Iron Throne and the creation of the political structure that would later become the Seven Kingdoms. As a result, an Aegon’s Conquest movie has a ton of material to work with, but HBO hasn’t yet confirmed which specific events of the war the film will depict. Still, a sprawling blockbuster makes the most sense to replicate the scale and scope of the war.

Aegon’s Conquest’s Release Window is Vague, & Only 1 Crew Member is Attached So Far

Aegon’s Conquest is still in development, and so far, the only release window fans have is “beyond 2027,” which was confirmed in Warner Bros.’ quarterly roadmap. The studio has not yet announced when production will begin.

The only crew member attached to the project so far is House of Cards showrunner and Andor writer Beau Willimon, whose background is particularly useful in a story about Aegon reshaping Westeros through conflict. In earlier talks, Warner Bros. and HBO considered another TV spinoff, with The Batman and Terminator Zero writer Mattson Tomlin working on the script. As great an addition he would have been, a pivot to a theatrical release is, in hindsight, the most exciting prospect. No cast members have yet been confirmed or announced for Aegon’s Conquest, but Willimon’s proven experience with in-depth worldbuilding, competing factions, and complex political systems thanks to House of Cards and Andor prove the project is already in good hands.

For now, there is still more unknown than known about Aegon’s Conquest, but the story itself gives the movie a strong foundation. HBO and Warner Bros. are yet to reveal the cast, director, release date, or even which specific parts of the Conquest will make it to the big screen. However, Aegon’s invasion, the Field of Fire, the destruction of Harrenhaal, Torrhen Stark’s decision to kneel, and the Iron Throne’s creation are integral parts of Martin’s lore, while Willimon’s involvement gives the project an experienced writer to help translate the story to the big screen.

First TV Show

Game Of Thrones

First Episode Air Date

April 17, 2011

Where to watch

HBO Max