'Game of Thrones' Author George R. R. Martin Wanted to 'Die Horribly' in the Red Wedding

Jesse Hicks

March 31, 2020 11:08 PM

George R.R. Martin has probably already secured his immortality. The Game of Thrones author penned (with two more perpetually on their way) that then became a widely acclaimed HBO seriesthe sort of thing that bends pop culture even for people who havent seen it. Game of Thrones has just become part of our shared lexicon, whether its appearing in memes, being referenced in politics, or showing up as a .

'Game of Thrones' Author Was Nearly in Red Wedding

So Martin is probably secure knowing that hell be remembered. But like a lot of creators, he apparently couldnt resist inserting himself into his creation. As the writer revealed in on his website, as his A Song of Ice and Fire was being turned into the Games of Thrones television series, he had a few shots at a cameo.

His first, from the pilot, ended up on the cutting room floor after reshooting. Then he thought he might appear as a severed head on the wall of the Red Keep. That time budget constraints kept him from being immortalized (dead) onscreen. And finally, he thought he might appear during the Red Weddingthe famously bloody third-season episode.

I also campaigned to die horribly at the Red Wedding, Martin writes, which seemed only fair since I was responsible for it, but it was felt that my presence in that powerful, wrenching, bloody scene might have taken the viewers out of the moment.

He graciously acknowledges that was the right creative choice, though he does sound a little wistful to have never appeared on the show. Still, as he mentions, its not like hell have to live on through his books alone. In Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, the esteemed fantasy author appears, utters no lines, and has his head bitten off by a shark. A bloody death, indeed.

Jesse Hicks