Many were surprised when it was announced that show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss would be part of the “Game of Thrones” panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Coming off of a relatively disappointing run of later seasons, especially the divisive eighth season, many questioned the decision for the contentious writers to appear at a panel potentially attended by disgruntled fans. Still, others welcomed the chance to meet the minds behind their favorite show.

Wherever fans fell, it no longer matters as HBO have announced the Benioff and Weiss will no longer be a part of the panel on Friday. The network confirmed this change via the “Game of Thrones” Twitter account:

No official reasons were given for this departure at the time. Responding to a request for comment from iO9, a representative from HBO said that the departure was due to “production and scheduling conflicts.” While unconfirmed, it is probable that the writers are deep in development on their upcoming “Star Wars” film series, set to begin releasing in 2022.

No matter the official reasoning, many will likely see the move as an attempt to avoid the overt negativity likely to greet them after the widely disliked final season of their high-fantasy opus. Perhaps, in the end, it’s for the best.

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” panel is still scheduled to take place at SDCC in Hall H at 5:30 p.m. PDT on July 19, and will feature actors Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie Lannister), Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly) and Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth).

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
Writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss accept Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series award for "Game of Thrones" onstage during the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 2015. Getty Images
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