'Game of Thrones' season 7 release date: Liam Cunningham backtracks from previous hints

HBO will decide when it is time to reveal the release date of “Game of Thrones” season 7. Anyone, including the cast members, jumping the gun on this may have to face the music. Liam Cunningham appears to be in some hot water following his comments on when the fans will get to see the show this year.

In an earlier interview, Cunningham had said that he believes the show will premiere sometime in July. Although the actor did not reveal an exact release date or confirm that he knew when the show will return, his statement was enough for the fans to expect this to be accurate.

Cunningham has now taken to Twitter to explain that he doesn’t know the exact air date of the show. He also joked that he is just a “pawn” of the show. So, his earlier comments may have been an educated guess at best and speculation at worst.

But still, the possibility of “Game of Thrones” season 7 premiere date in July seems more than likely. The production of the show started a month later than usual, mostly because the producers wanted to film in winter weather to show the right conditions on the show this year.

There are just seven episodes on the show this year. The release date could have been in April, like it normally is, or at least in May if they had been able to complete the production quickly. However, the producers are taking the same amount of time to film as it takes a normal 10-episode season.

Although some of the cast members like Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), have wrapped filming, there is still the post production phase of development. So, a July release date is plausible. A formal announcement, however, may only come after HBO is sure it will be able to deliver on that date. The studio will also have to consider other shows on air to make sure the popular TV series doesn’t cannibalise the viewership of its other shows, or face competition from TV series from other networks.

The release date announcement can be expected along with a teaser trailer of the next season. “Game of Thrones” season 7 will be the beginning of the end of the show. The different storylines have already started to converge, and they will all now move towards the final battle against the White Walkers, who are expected to finally begin their invasion of Westeros this year.