George R.R. Martin may take ‘Game of Thrones’ to movie screens

George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” -- known to longtime fans as the “Song of Ice and Fire” book series -- is enjoying big success on television screens. But it might also be destined for something bigger: the movies.

Martin told the Hollywood Reporter that a big-screen feature -- with a hefty budget -- might be what it takes to bring the story to its grand conclusion.

“It all depends on how long the main series runs,” Martin said. “Do we run for seven years? Do we run for eight? Do we run for 10? The books get bigger and bigger [in scope]. It might need a feature to tie things up, something with a feature budget, like $100 million for two hours. Those dragons get real big, you know.”

The fourth season premiere of HBO’s award-winning series screened for a star-studded audience this week in New York. Fans in Martin’s hometown of Santa Fe, N.M., will be treated to a screening on March 29. The actual television premiere is April 6.

Martin began the bestselling “Song of Ice and Fire” series with “Game of Thrones,” published in 1991. The huge, popular novel was followed by more and bigger books that began taking ever-longer for Martin to write. “A Clash of Kings” was published in 1998; “A Storm of Swords” in 2000; “A Feast for Crows” in 2005; and “A Dance of Dragons” in 2011. The next book, “Winds of Winter” is ... coming.

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