average cost of an episode of game of thrones
Game of Thrones The pilot reportedly cost HBO $5–10 million to produce,[43] while the first season's budget was estimated at $50–60 million.[44] In the second season, the show received a 15-percent budget increase for the climactic battle in "Blackwater" (which had an $8 million budget).[45][46] Between 2012 and 2015, the average budget per episode increased from $6 million[47] to "at least" $8 million.[48] The sixth-season budget was over $10 million per episode, for a season total of over $100 million and a series record.[49]
Game of Thrones Benioff and Weiss originally intended to adapt the entire, still-incomplete A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels for television.[citation needed] After Game of Thrones began outpacing the published novels in the sixth season, the series was based on a plot outline of the future novels provided by Martin[63] and original content. In April 2016, the showrunners' plan was to shoot 13 more episodes after the sixth season: seven episodes in the seventh season and six episodes in the eighth.[64] Later that month, the series was renewed for a seventh season with a seven-episode order.[65][66] As of 2017[update], seven seasons have been ordered and filmed, adapting the novels at a rate of about 48 seconds per page for the first three seasons.[67]
Dan Castellaneta Until 1998, Castellaneta was paid $30,000 per episode.[31] During a pay dispute in 1998, Fox threatened to replace the six main voice actors with new actors, going as far as preparing for casting of new voices.[31] The dispute was soon resolved and he received $125,000 per episode until 2004 when the voice actors demanded that they be paid $360,000 an episode.[31] The issue was resolved a month later,[32] and Castellaneta earned $250,000 per episode.[33] After salary re-negotiations in 2008, the voice actors received approximately $400,000 per episode.[34] Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, Castellaneta and the other cast members accepted a 25 percent pay cut, down to over $300,000 per episode.[35]
Game of Thrones Set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, Game of Thrones has several plot lines and a large ensemble cast but centers on three primary story arcs. The first story arc centers on the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms and follows a web of alliances and conflicts among the dynastic noble families either vying to claim the throne or fighting for independence from the throne. The second story arc focuses on the last descendant of the realm's deposed ruling dynasty, exiled and plotting a return to the throne. The third story arc centers on the longstanding brotherhood charged with defending the realm against the ancient threats of the fierce peoples and legendary creatures that lie far north, and an impending winter that threatens the realm.