San Diego Comic-Con is returning to an in-person event just in time – HBO is debuting its first Game of Thrones spin-off, House of the Dragon, on August 21, one month after the live event.

To promote the new series, which focuses on the Targaryen empire long before Daenerys was born, HBO worked with experiential agency Giant Spoon to create “The Dragon’s Den.” The immersive experience will be open to all badge-holders, located at the nearby MLK Jr. Promenade and run Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24. While this year Comic-Con is instituting the Disney-like Fast Pass – available for attendees to try to find at designated “Drop Zones,” expect extremely long lines for this one.

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“We are excited to reignite the Game of Thrones fandom and franchise by bringing Westeros back to Comic-Con after a three-year hiatus,” said Pia Barlow, executive vice president, originals marketing, HBO Max, in a statement.“We’re creating an immersive experience that will allow old and new fans alike to engage in a unique journey, bringing them closer to the Westeros featured in the new series ‘House of the Dragon.’”

At “The Dragon’s Den,” attendees will be guided through the ceremonial hatching of a dragon. Each person will step into King’s Landing, where they will interact with the people of the city, select their own dragon egg and go about proving they are worthy of bonding with a ferocious dragon.

From the caverns of Dragonstone to the spires of the Red Keep, guests will be ushered through the experience by a designated Dragonkeeper through seven dynamic phases, encountering interactions, and sound-sensory elements (powered by Bose), throughout on their journey.

The experience culminates in the Throne Room, where, for the first time, fans will be able to see and sit on the new-and-improved (read: much bigger) Targaryen-era Iron Throne for a photo.

Attendees and non-attendees alike can download Niantic Lightship’s augmented reality app, House of the Dragon: DracARys, to hatch and raise their own virtual dragon. The AR app is produced by The Mill and will be available for download in the Apple and Google Play stores starting July 20. It will unlock full functionality on July 25.

In addition, HBO Max is hosting a panel in Comic-Con’s storied Hall H to introduce the cast of House of the Dragon. Panelists will include: co-creator/executive producer George R.R. Martin, co-creator/co-showrunner/executive producer/writer Ryan Condal and co-showrunner/executive producer/director Miguel Sapochnik. From the cast, it will include Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling, Milly Alcock as Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Emily Carey as Young Alicent Hightower. The panel will be moderated by Crooked Media’s Jason Concepcion, host of the X-Ray Vision podcast.

House of the Dragon premieres August 21 on HBO and HBO Max.


Tags: giant spoon hbo hbo max house of the dragon san diego comic-con sdcc


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