'Winds Of Winter' Release Date Near As 'Game Of Thrones' Director Admits Reading Book 6? Germany Inspires George R.R. Martin In Writing Death Scene

"Game of Thrones" director Jack Bender admitted during a Reddit AMA that he has read the advance copy of "Winds of Winter" and it sent netizens buzzing over the release date of George R. R. Martin's book.

Apparently, the director was asked if he was "able to read an advance copy of Book 6 of Game of Thrones to prepare for directing next season's episodes?"

Bender simply replied, "Yes."

However, "Game of Thrones" fansite Watchers on the Wall claimed that the "Winds of Winter" release date won't be announced soon because Bender has not read the book.

"A very reliable WotW source has confirmed to us that Bender hasn't seen an advanced copy/draft of The Winds of Winter, and must have confused it with the season 6 outline when answering the question," it said.

Meanwhile, fans anticipating the "Winds of Winter" release date would be in for a surprise as George R. R. Martin is reportedly planning to kill of a major character.

In an interview with German magazine Spiegel, as shared by Winter is Coming, the author talked about the death of a major female character.

"There's this character, which I always knew that she will die, from the moment of their introduction to them was doomed to die. But I did not know how she was going to die. Since last night, I know it. Maybe it was Hamburg, no idea," he said.

The website then speculated on who among the major female characters will die, including Sansa Stark, Arya Star, Cersei Lannister, Melisandre, Brienne of Tarth and Daenerys Targayen.

"Our German speaking friend did mention there is a local legend in Hamburg, Germany, of the execution of the pirate Klaus Störtebecker," it said.

"If Hamburg was in fact Martin's inspiration for killing a possible female character, then Asha (Yara) Greyjoy would fit the 'pirate"' moniker perfectly. Störtebecker along with his crew was beheaded for their crimes. Could Balon Greyjoy's only daughter suffer a similar fate?"