GO BIG
HBO puts 270-foot balloon on Empire State Building for House of the Dragon Season 2 – but fans mock ‘bad’ design
Plus, more about the newest Game of Thrones prequel
HOUSE of the Dragon fans have mocked HBO after the network placed a massive dragon on the Empire State Building.
Critics claim the promotional stunt is poorly designed and aren't amused.
6
6
The Empire State Building in New York City tweeted a photo of a massive dragon wrapped around the upper half of the skyscraper.
"The Queen of the Dragons has arrived," the building tweeted.
In the comments, fans were split about the promotional stunt.
"I love the marketing for this show," one supporter posted.
More TV News
"OK, enough. That's cringe," a critical commenter shared.
"I get the vision but it looks so bad," another complained.
"Wait why does it look so bad though[?]" a fourth fan questioned.
"Well that was money really badly spent," someone else shared.
Most read in Drama
The balloon dragon is 270-feet long, according to BusinessWire.
It is made to resemble Vhagar the Dragon, whom fans will recognize from House of the Dragon.
6
First look at series two of epic Game Of Thrones prequel House Of The Dragon
Fans who wish to get a glimpse at Vhagar can check it out in Manhattan, with the best views available at the south of the Empire State Building.
Those wishing to get up close and personal with the dragon can do so on the southern deck of the Empire State Building's 86th Floor Observatory.
In addition to the dragon, the Empire State Building has set it's lights in such a way that fans can enjoy a series of light shows.
"Just after the Empire State Building pledged its allegiance to the King, Vhagar descended upon the heart of New York City and has claimed the mast of the 'World's Most Famous Building' as her perch," ESRT Chairman and CEW Tony Malkin said in a statement.
Game of Thrones Books
Game of Thrones premiered on HBO in April 2011. The show is based on the popular book series authored by George R.R. Martin.
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance With Dragons
- The Winds of Winter
A seventh novel, A Dream of Spring, is set to follow.
"Citizens of Westeros can now sit in the Iron Throne at the Observatory's grand staircase and then rise to the 86th Floor to face the colossal beast up close as they take in the unmatched, 360-degree views from our world-famous Observatory – Tripadvisor's #1 attraction in the United States."
HEATING UP
Game of Thrones fans might not like the latest promo, but they have plenty to be excited about.
In April, HBO announced that they are working on a second Game of Thrones prequel.
Amid the success of House of the Dragon, the network announced the impending release of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.
The show is in early development, HBO confirmed during an investors event with Warner Bros.
Currently, the show is expected to follow the lives of Dunk and Egg 90 years before the events of the original, A Song of Ice and Fire.
In an effort to get fans excited, HBO offered up a brief synopsis of the show to let fans know what to expect.
"A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros... a young, naive, but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg," the network teased.
"Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends."
The show is due to launch on HBO's new service, MAX.
Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis, who executive produced the original Game of Thrones and the House of the Dragon spin-off, will be returning to oversee this new show.
The announcement has fans excited, with many looking to social media to share their thoughts.
"It's been announced for a while. Glad to see it's actually going forward thought, it's the one I'm most excited for," one fan wrote.
"1 Season for each of the three novellas and this will be elite. Awesome stories," a second commenter posted.
"This is it! The best GOT spin-off, calling it now!" a third fan wrote.
MORE TO COME
Other fans, meanwhile, are simply looking forward to more House of the Dragons.
The show is set to return for a second season, and details about what to expect are already emerging.
The first season brought fans back to Westeros, following the Targaryen family.
Showrunner Ryan Condal has promised that Season Two will pack and even bigger punch.
Some viewers expressed disappointment over Season One's slower pace.
Ryan vowed that in Season Two the show will find its footing.
Her revealed that the action in the first season was intentionally slowed down to give fans a better chance to get to know the cast of characters.
"We will get to the spectacle," he promised.
"but you have to understand these people's complexities before they're thrown into war."
"Series two will hit the rhythms people came to expect from the middle run of Game of Thrones.
"But it will have been earned, and viewers will feel the tragedies because we put the work in."
The head writer also promised fans that season two won't be quite as serious as this year's outing," he continued.
"There will be natural pathways into moments of levity," he said of the show.
"I think Matt Smith is very funny. If there is one character that does not care, it is Daemon."
Read More on The US Sun
Daemon Targaryen is played by Matt Smith on House of the Dragon.
Season two of House of the Dragon premieres Sunday at 9pm on HBO and MAX.
6
6
6