MOVIE NEWS – THR’s sources confirm that showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are mulling two short-order final seasons for the fantasy drama based on the best-selling book series by George R.R. Martin. Among the plans being considered are seven episodes for the not-yet-announced seventh season and six for a likely eighth and final season.

“Any conversations about the end of Game of Thrones and the number of episodes of future seasons is purely speculative,” an HBO spokesperson said Thursday in a statement. “As is customary, HBO will sit with Dan and David to discuss the details once a decision has been made to go forward with season seven.”

Insiders told THR in January that the premium cable network was near a two-season renewal that would take Game of Thrones through season eight. A formal renewal is expected to come soon as HBO typically picks up the show around its return date. It’s unclear if the series will score a two-season renewal or if HBO will wait to hammer out a formal end plan for its highest-rated original.