HBO said in a statement that “due to production schedules and air dates for Game of Thrones and Westworld, these series will not be presented at San Diego Comic-Con this summer." According to Deadline, HBO will have no presence at this year's Comic-Con. Game of Thrones' absence is the latest high-profile defection after Starz's Outlander decided to go to New York Comic-Con instead of San Diego Comic-Con. This will be the first time Game of Thrones' has been absent from Comic-Con since the show premiered in 2011. According to EW's James Hibberd, "there are a few issues at play. First, the show is not airing in 2018, taking a year off for the first time as it films its hugely ambitious final season. With season 8 not airing until 2019, it’s a bit early to begin promoting the new episodes. Granted many other movies and shows go to Comic-Con months ahead of their release to start building buzz, but the difference with GoT is the wildly popular fantasy hit simply doesn’t need any promotional help. Another factor is the show is still in production on its final season, so many of the actors are rather busy." In Westworld's case, he adds, the second season will be over by the time Comic-Con starts -- though that hasn't stopped the Game of Thrones cast from appearing in previous years following the conclusion of the season in the spring.
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TOPICS: Game of Thrones, HBO, Westworld, George R.R. Martin, Sophie Turner, San Diego Comic-Con