"Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin has always been tight-lipped about the release date of the novel's sequel, "Winds of Winter." But, a new leak from Nikolaj Coster-Waldau could mean that the book is finally completed.
In his interview with Men's Health, the actor told the magazine: "[The show bosses] know as much as George R.R. Martin knows [about the story]. He hasn't written the books, but he knows how he wants it to end. Well, I think he's written one of them now. I don't know when it comes out, but I'd assume soon."
Harper Collins, Martin's publisher stated that there are no plans on releasing "Winds of Winter" this year. Fans have been eagerly waiting for this book for about 4 years now since the last one, "A Dance With Dragons" was released in 2011.
To clarify Coster-Waldau's comment, Zap2it reported that his definition of "soon" is different from what fans could have thought of. It could be that he is highlighting the big differences that will happen on the HBO series and in the novel. The big gaps could be understandable as the novel still has two book installations to come, whereas the series is set to end on the 5th season.
"All the details, [the showrunners are] going to have to come up with them themselves," Coster-Waldau says. "It's going to be interesting because I think the show is going to finish before the last book comes out. There'll be quite a big difference when it does."
On the other hand, another Zap2it report suggest that a 2015 "Winds of Winter" could still happen. When Harper Collins announced about their plans of not releasing the book this year, it was around January. Martins still has a couple of months to continue writing the book. As the report noted, Martin could finish it around July or October. If that happens, the publishing company could go for a reprinting plan.
Martins has been openly strict about fans believing any release date for the novel but he said he would inform the world immediately once he is done. So, "Martin isn't done yet, so no official Harper Collins plans for the yaer."
"I certainly hope that THE WINDS OF WINTER is not on the schedule of ANY of my publishers. I have spent years trying to persuade them all not to schedule my books until they are completed and delivered. Scheduling, and then having to reschedule and postpone, just pisses people off. I'd rather not schedule at all until the date is real and certain," Martin wrote on his site. "This flies against standard publishing practice, however, so it's a battle that I do not always win."
"Game of Thrones" Season 5 will start on Apr. 12 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO.