George R.R. Martin "gave some intriguing hints about the state of Westeros during this time period, and even noted a possible new title" in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly about showrunner Jane Goldman's pilot for HBO's Game of Thrones prequel, which is currently filming in Northern Ireland. Among the reveals:
- Westeros is divided into roughly 100 kingdoms in the prequel.
- There are Starks and direwolves.
- There will not be any Lannisters--at least not at first...
- It's a true ensemble.
- The show might get a slightly different title from the one you're expecting.
"We talk about the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; there were Seven Kingdoms at the time of Aegon's Conquest," Martin said. "But if you go back further then there are nine kingdoms, and 12 kingdoms, and eventually you get back to where there are a hundred kingdoms--petty kingdoms--and that's the era we're talking about here."
The prequel's title could be Martin's preference, The Long Night, or not: "I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn't mind. That would be pretty good."