General

House of the Dragon Season 2 skipped one of the best dragons, The Cannibal

One of the scariest dragons in Westeros was excluded from the show.

Published

3 months ago

August 30, 2024

Ved Prabhudesai

Credit: Ertaç Altınöz

House of the Dragon has introduced us to several impressive dragons. From Caraxes with his unique shrill screams to the amazing designs of Syrax and Seasmoke, each dragon stands out.

Vhagar gave us a glimpse of a truly enormous ancient dragon, and Vermithor and Seasmoke also made an appearance in season 2. We also saw Moondancer, Vermax, and even a wild dragon believed to be Sheepstealer.

Our Apps

However, season 2 did not feature two other wild dragons: Grey Ghost and the Cannibal. Out of these, the Cannibal is a dragon feared by the people of Westeros for many reasons. This article explores whether we will see the Cannibal and what makes him so unique.

A Song of Ice and Fire 2025 Calendar

$18.00

Artist Eddie Mendoza brings us the landscapes and castles of Westeros as never seen before, with thirteen stunning illustrations, including a bonus fold-out poster.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/22/2024 03:57 am GMT

Who is The Cannibal, and why is he important?

Credit: Douglas Wheatley

The Cannibal is a wild dragon that lived on Dragonstone during the Dance of the Dragons. Described as coal-black with menacing green eyes, he earned his name because of his habit of feeding on other dragons, including hatchlings and dragon eggs.

He was the largest and oldest of the wild dragons, possibly predating the Targaryens’ arrival on Dragonstone. The Cannibal never accepted a rider, and his lair was filled with the bones of those who tried. Though he did not typically attack people, he was highly hostile toward other dragons, making him a terrifying presence on the island.

The Cannibal is important because he is one of the largest and oldest dragons in the Dance of the Dragons. There is a possibility that he was even alive before the Targaryens settled on Dragonstone, which would make him older than Vhagar. His aggressive behavior toward other dragons set him apart from the rest, as he would even eat the carcasses of dead dragons. This makes him unique in the world of dragons, as no other dragon is known to cannibalize its own kind.

Why was The Cannibal not included in the show?

Credit: Jota Saraiva

The show omitted the Cannibal, possibly due to budget constraints and the complexity of adding another large dragon. According to the showrunner, Sara Hess, many characters were cut from the show for similar reasons. Season 2 only featured one dragon battle, reflecting the show’s limited VFX budget. There are already so many dragons that it can be difficult to keep track of them all.

Rhaenyra mentioned that Vermithor is the second-largest dragon, which may suggest that the Cannibal doesn’t exist in the show’s universe. The best opportunity to introduce the Cannibal would have been during the Sowing, with potential riders trying to claim him. However, this part of the story was simplified, focusing on Vermithor and Silverwing, dragons that are easier for humans to bond with.

Will we see The Cannibal in later seasons?

Credit: dracalyss

While it is possible that the Cannibal could appear in future seasons, his role in the storyline might not be significant enough to warrant his inclusion. The show could merge his character with Grey Ghost, who was killed by Sunfyre in the books. This will depend on whether Sunfyre is still alive, as Aegon II Targaryen’s dragon seems to have died at Rook’s Rest in the show universe.

With the VFX budget constraints and the large number of dragons already in the story, introducing the Cannibal may not be a priority. Still, fans can remain hopeful for a surprise appearance in later seasons.

Stream House of the Dragon on Max | Save up to 20%

Stream House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones and more HBO Original series on Max. Sign up and save up to 20% with an annual plan.

Subscribe Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

If you have any important filming news about House of the Dragon, or if you want to collaborate with us or want to write for us, please drop us a message here.

Related Topics:House of the Dragon

Up Next

Actors from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon who appear in White House Farm

Don't Miss

Here’s a closer look at Sunfyre’s saddle from House of the Dragon Season 2

Ved Prabhudesai

Ved Prabhudesai is an avid enthusiast of all things pop culture. He has a special interest in the field of animation and art, with a background in Fine Arts and Digital Media Arts. He has begun his first into the field of Entertainment Journalism with Wiki of Thrones, and has been writing for them since 2023. He also has experience working as a screenplay writer, animator and comic book artist. His hobbies include holding discussions and organising events focused around pop culture, dissecting the importance of media in today's world. He began reading A Song Of Ice And Fire shortly before Game of Thrones debuted on HBO. He has followed the series religiously and has spent hours reading Wikis learning about Targaryen history and possible plot points we will see in the Winds of Winter.