[TV] Game of Thrones - Season 3 is here.

[CeeKay]

Tyrion is cast.  it'll be interesting to see who they tap for the other roles, any guesses?  I doubt there will be alot of big names, but probably a few small time names.

[Zarkon]

I liked him in Threshold, and think he could do a good job as Tyrion.

[Teggy]

I knew who it had to be before I even clicked the link. He's a really good actor and I think he'll do great in the role.

[Razgon]

So, people really think this will be good? I mean, as in a good rendition of the books? That would be really awesome, there's too few good fantasy series, they all seem to be kinda like Xena, productioncost wise.

IF this succeds, and gets succes, it could open up for other series to be filmed...perhaps even series like Malazan book of the fallen, or wheel of time 

[Zarkon]

The big difference between this and most fantasy series is simple:  This is on HBO (or Showtime), not on syndicated TV.  Thus, they can actually be relatively true to the books, which are .... very dark in places.

[Big Jake]

This will suck.  Just wanted to make sure I got my vote in early.

[Teggy]

I bet there will be lots and lots of boobies in this.

[LoneStarSpur]

The big difference between this and most fantasy series is simple:  This is on HBO (or Showtime), not on syndicated TV.  Thus, they can actually be relatively true to the books, which are .... very dark in placeshave one or two pages of happiness in them.

Love the books...hopefully this will turn out decent. I don't expect the series to ever be finished.

Someone suggested Timothy Dalton as Ned Stark?!?!?!?!?! 

[Odin]

Someone suggested Timothy Dalton as Ned Stark?!?!?!?!?! 

That's insane. Stark isn't described as a huge man, but he's got to be somebody who can realistically swing Ice around, which is described as being an enormous greatsword. That doesn't sound like Dalton to me.

[hepcat]

Sounds like they're angling to get something to compete with The Tudors. 

[Zarkon]

Note:  Valyrian Steel is supposedly very light weight.  For those who remember their D&D, imagine the weapon equivalent of Elvish Chain.  That being said?  Whoever plays Ned should have muscles, simply because of wearing armor and wielding weaponry often.

[Big Jake]

hepcat, my original post I said "think Tudors with a coat of paint', but I deleted out the entire rambling diatribe.  That's why I went with the short version.

[CeeKay]

I wonder if they could work Ian McShane into a role.  I liked him as the king in Kings.

[hepcat]

hepcat, my original post I said "think Tudors with a coat of paint', but I deleted out the entire rambling diatribe.  That's why I went with the short version.

 

[Qantaga]

I liked him in Threshold, and think he could do a good job as Tyrion.

 
Forget Threshold, dude was awesome in Underdog.
   
Seriously, though, I do think it's great casting. He was very good in Prince Caspian, too.
 
Here's hoping they can do a good job with the series, but I think it'll be like trying to make a mini-series out of The Stand.

[Odin]

I wonder if they could work Ian McShane into a role.  I liked him as the king in Kings.

I'm sure they could, but they'd probably want to save "name" actors for key roles - no sense wasting one on a small role with just a few scattered lines here and there. I'm not thinking of too many that he'd fit. Not fat enough to be Robert B., not blonde enough to be Tywin L., totally wrong for Walder Frey..., etc. Jorah Mormont is a possibility, I suppose. Stannis is also a possibility, but he's not at all how I picture Stannis.

Actually, he could be a good fit for either Hoster or Brynden Tully. Or for that matter, Barristan Selmy (who's going to need to be played by a younger actor than the role would normally call for, in order to do the necessary combat and not look like Obi Wan in Star Wars trying to swing a light saber around). Balon Greyjoy perhaps? Most of these guys I can't really recall their physical descriptions.

Of course, not all of these guys are necessarily in A Game of Thrones, either, to any great extent. Selmy's role isn't too big. The Tullys aren't in it at all as I recall, nor is Jorah Mormont. At least I don't think so. Man, it's amazing how much the books run together when you always read them as a set.

It would be cool if they could find a role for Roy Dotrice. After his amazing work on the audiobooks, he deserves to be a part of it.

[Andrew Mallon]

Sounds like they're angling to get something to compete with The Tudors. 

Didn't Showtime order The Tudors to compete with Rome?

[CeeKay]

Sounds like they're angling to get something to compete with The Tudors. 

Didn't Showtime order The Tudors to compete with Rome?

the fourth season of Tudors is supposed to be the last anyways.

[EngineNo9]

The director is the writer/director/actor of/in The Station Agent and The Visitor, both of which were pretty good.  My hopes are not shattered yet.

[Andrew Mallon]

Sean Bean is Ned Startk! 

[Razgon]

Sean Bean is Ned Startk! 

oh my - this has just gotten a lot more interesting for me...now they just need Luke Goss as well!

[Nth Power]

The casting news has me excited and I decided to re-read Game of Thrones for a refresher before the show starts.  Sean Bean should be awesome as Ned Stark.
There's some more casting news and pics on GRRM's site.  I don't know them but the pics shown look like good casting.

Robert Baratheon - Mark Addy
Joffrey - Jack Gleeson
Viserys - Harry Lloyd
Jon Snow - Kit Harington

[EddieA]

Those are some high-quality pictures on that blog 

[CeeKay]

Sean Bean is Ned Startk! 

about the character:

Spoiler for Hiden:

it's been awhile, but doesn't Ned die early on?

[TiLT]

CeeKay:

Spoiler for Hiden:

He dies at the very end of the first book, which will be the very end of the first season of the show. He'll probably feature in flashbacks later though.

[CeeKay]

CeeKay:

Spoiler for Hiden:

He dies at the very end of the first book, which will be the very end of the first season of the show. He'll probably feature in flashbacks later though.

thanks, I thought that was the case.  after awhile it gets kind of hard to keep track of those things in the series.

[Jaddison]

McShane would make a great "The Hound" Sandor Clegane

[Gratch]

Mark Addy is a great choice for Robert, and Bean is perfect for Ned.  I was pretty skeptical about this show, but this news is certainly encouraging.

[CeeKay]

some more casting news.

[Gratch]

.

That was supposed to take us to...?

[Gryndyl]

For those of us who like pictures...

House Stark:


Ned Stark: Sean Bean


Catelyn Stark: Jennifer Ehle


Robb Stark: Richard Madden


Jon Snow: Kit Harrington


Sansa Stark: Sophie Turner


Arya Stark: Maisie Williams

House Greyjoy:


Theon Greyjoy: Alfie Allen

House Lannister:


Tyrion Lannister: Peter Dinklage


Joffrey Lannister: Jack Gleeson


Jaimie Lannister: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

House Baratheon:


Robert Baratheon: Mark Addy

House Targaryen:


Daenerys Targaryen: Tamzin Merchant


Viserys Targaryen: Harry Lloyd


Ser Jorah Mormont: Iain Glen

[pr0ner]

I'm not sure I'd put Jorah Mormont in House Targaryen.

[EngineNo9]

They seem like pretty fitting castings so far.  We'll see how it all comes together as a whole, but it's not looking bad yet.

[Gratch]

Thanks Gryndyl. 

The only one that doesn't seem to fit is Daenerys.  That actress seems a bit too, I dunno, waifish.  Then again, I suppose that would fit for events in AGOT.

[Razgon]

I'm actually excited about this series- Sean Bean is one my all time favorites (Loved him in LOTR "I care not" and in Equilibirum where he read poetry), and the books are great, AND we need more good fantasy movies...

also, there is a small, very small hope, that if this succeds well, we might get to see a similar project based on the Malazan books

edit: to reflect that its a series, not a movie

[pr0ner]

Thanks Gryndyl. 

The only one that doesn't seem to fit is Daenerys.  That actress seems a bit too, I dunno, waifish.  Then again, I suppose that would fit for events in AGOT.

I never got the idea that Dany was anything but waifish from any of the books.

GRRM approved of her being chosen, so she must fit his view of what the character looks like.

[Kevin Grey]

I'm actually excited about this movie - Sean Bean is one my all time favorites (Loved him in LOTR "I care not" and in Equilibirum where he read poetry), and the books are great, AND we need more good fantasy movies...

also, there is a small, very small hope, that if this succeds well, we might get to see a similar project based on the Malazan books

Er, it's a TV show, not a movie. 

[Razgon]

oh, I know - just a slip of the mind when I wrote it..I'll change it now :-)

[Isgrimnur]

I'm actually excited about this series- Sean Bean is one my all time favorites (Loved him in LOTR "I care not" and in Equilibirum where he read poetry), and the books are great, AND we need more good fantasy movies...

also, there is a small, very small hope, that if this succeds well, we might get to see a similar project based on the Malazan books

edit: to reflect that its a series, not a movie

Then you need to go look up Sharpe's Rifles and the ensuing series of films.  Sean Bean front and center as an officer promoted from the ranks during the Napoleonic Wars.

[Gryndyl]

I'm not sure I'd put Jorah Mormont in House Targaryen.

I stuck him there as he's basically a retainer for them and House Mormont isn't really a player in the stories. Maybe I should have a miscellaneous category.