'Game of Thrones' showrunner says odds are very good for an HBO spin-off -- but he won't be involved

"Game of Thrones" concludes in 2018, but the game isn't over for characters who survive the bloodshed.

During a South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival panel this weekend, "Game of Thrones" showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss addressed the possibility of an enduring Westeros -- and the likelihood sounds shockingly promising.

Benioff didn't hesitate to reveal that HBO is openly interested in continuing the "GoT" journey post-finale: "The characters who maybe will survive -- there's always going to be this temptation to keep doing it ... to do the spin-off show or do the sequel show and everything. And I think HBO might well do one."

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Of course, this reveal comes with caveats. Benioff clearly indicated that should HBO go forward with these ideas, he and Weiss likely wouldn't be involved.

"I'm looking forward to watching it," he said. "I think it'll be great, but it's better for them to get new blood in with new visions."

The other catch? There's no way of knowing who -- if anyone -- will survive the guaranteed massacres of the final two seasons. "Game of Thrones" is one of the most violent shows of all time, and the writers haven't restrained themselves from killing off even the most beloved characters.

The seventh season of "Game of Thrones" premieres in July.

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