Sep 30, 2026 2:37pm IST
‘Game Of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest’ Explained: Who Is Aegon The Conqueror And What We Know About The 2029 Film
The "Game of Thrones" universe is going back to where the Targaryen story began. Warner Bros has set "Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest" for a theatrical release on June 6, 2029, marking the first feature film in the franchise. Owen Harris, who directed episodes of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", is attached to direct, with Beau Willimon writing the screenplay.
For audiences who know Westeros through "Game of Thrones" and "House of the Dragon", the title points to a period that has largely existed in the franchise as history and legend. Aegon’s Conquest happened roughly 300 years before the events of the original series and established the Targaryen dynasty as the ruling house of most of Westeros.
So who was Aegon the Conqueror, what exactly did he conquer and how did his campaign create the Westeros we know?
Who Was Aegon The Conqueror?
Aegon I Targaryen was the first Targaryen king of Westeros and the founder of the dynasty that would rule the Seven Kingdoms for centuries. He arrived from Dragonstone with his two sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen. Each rode one of the three dragons at the centre of the conquest: Aegon rode Balerion the Black Dread, Visenya rode Vhagar and Rhaenys rode Meraxes.
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The three Targaryens were not simply invading with an army. They had dragons, giving them a military advantage that the kingdoms of Westeros had never encountered on this scale.
What Was Aegon’s Conquest?
Before Aegon, Westeros was divided between several independent kingdoms, each ruled by its own king. Aegon set out to bring them under one crown.
His campaign involved battles, alliances and rulers choosing to surrender rather than face the Targaryen dragons. Among the most significant events were the destruction of Harrenhal, the Battle of the Last Storm and the Field of Fire, where Aegon and his sisters used their dragons against the combined forces of the Reach and the Westerlands.
The North ultimately submitted without a battle. King Torrhen Stark recognised the scale of the Targaryen threat and chose to kneel to Aegon, earning the title "The King Who Knelt".
But Aegon did not conquer all of Westeros. Dorne resisted and remained independent, becoming the one kingdom that escaped his conquest.
How Did Aegon Create The Iron Throne?
Aegon’s victory transformed the political map of Westeros. He became the first Targaryen monarch to rule a largely united realm and established the dynasty that would eventually produce the likes of Daenerys Targaryen.
The Iron Throne was created after the conquest from the swords surrendered by Aegon’s defeated enemies. Balerion’s dragonfire was used to forge the seat of power that would eventually become the most recognisable symbol of political authority in Westeros. So while the Iron Throne is already an established piece of "Game of Thrones" history, "Aegon’s Conquest" goes back to the moment that history was created.
Is The Film Based On Fire & Blood?
Aegon’s Conquest is chronicled in George R.R. Martin’s "Fire & Blood", the 2018 book that traces the history of House Targaryen. However, "Fire & Blood" is not structured like a conventional novel. It presents the history of the Targaryen dynasty through accounts, records and competing versions of events. That gives a screen adaptation room to dramatise the personalities and relationships behind the historical events.
It also means that audiences should distinguish between what is established Targaryen history and what has actually been confirmed for the film. The broad story of Aegon’s conquest is known. The movie’s specific interpretation of it is not.
What Do We Know About The Movie?
The film is being developed as a theatrical Warner Bros release and is scheduled to arrive on June 6, 2029. Owen Harris is directing and Beau Willimon is writing. Harris has previously worked within the Westeros universe on "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", while his other credits include episodes of "Black Mirror". Willimon created "House of Cards" and was among the writers on "Andor". Beyond its central subject, however, Warner Bros is keeping the movie firmly under wraps. There is currently no trailer, detailed official synopsis or announced production start date.
Where Does It Fit In The Game Of Thrones Timeline?
"Aegon’s Conquest" takes place earlier than both "House of the Dragon" and "Game of Thrones". The conquest takes place roughly 300 years before the original series. "House of the Dragon", meanwhile, is set around 200 years before "Game of Thrones" and focuses on the Targaryen succession crisis that tears the family apart.
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