"Winter is coming..." to HBO

[Kaldore]

http://grrm.livejournal.com/84893.html

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-210409-hbo-to-film.htm


Well it looks like it is official... A Game of Thrones will start filming a pilot for HBO in Northern Ireland starting this October. This has been hinted at before, but now it's finalized and will be moving forward.


Let the casting speculation begin!!!

[Abric]

... huh.

I wonder if, because it is on HBO, that will be focusing more on the sister and horse fucking than they will be on the political intrigue and surprising backstabbing.

[Kaldore]

Is there a network you would rather see it on?

In my opinion HBO has cranked out hit after hit, in all different genres, and only a couple of them left the network without me wanting to see a lot more. In particular I'm thinking of Carnivale, ROME, and Deadwood.


As a matter of fact I'm not sure there's a network that I trust more to produce a quality show than HBO, although Shotime is getting there.

[Emmons]

I don't get HBO back home, and they removed it from our standard cable at my apartment =[

[Grainia]

I just dropped HBO but if this does happen, I'll pick it up again.

And, yeah, I can't think of a better place for it. :( I miss Carnavale and Rome.

[Karkarov]

Well if any "channel" can do it right it is HBO but I dont think this story really lends itself to the small or big screen. Either way once they get one with it I will be sure to check out a few episodes and see how well/badly they did.

[Grev]

... huh.

I wonder if, because it is on HBO, that will be focusing more on the sister and horse fucking than they will be on the political intrigue and surprising backstabbing.
Our only other realistic option would probably be the Sci-Fi channel. Be happy with your horse fucking.

[Skaadvik]

Deadwood was awesome

[Boudika]

Interesting. Havent seen much but hints at this in the trades. Hopefully HBO learned some cost cutting tecniques, as that was what really caused the fall of "Rome". That show was so damned expensive to make, deadwood as well.

I always get excited when I see HBO projects come across my desk. Im curious as to the casting. Hard to tell, so many damned film to tv crossovers these days that just about anyone will sign on for television. Especially with the success that HBO has had with its past shows. On the other hand, HBO is also known for grabbing next to nobodys and giving them a shot. They may try pulling from the european pool as well.

Never can tell really with HBO.

[Daedraug]

Peter Dinklage has been confirmed as Tyrion Lannister, and Thomas McCarthy (The Station Agent, The Visitor) will direct the pilot.

Dinklage was at the top of the fan wishlist with a bullet, and McCarthy is a darn good director and a pretty good actor, too. (The Wire)

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i30b29365238b3652295a5a9e328518de

As for casting discussions, head over to asoiaf.westeros.org for the last year or so's worth. The producers (Beinoff and Weiss) have made several visits to the site, and actually asked for fan input in the casting process.

[Malethor]

Reading this thread, I feel I've missed a pre-requisite.

[Kaldore]

Sorry about that, we're talking about an HBO show being made about a set of books written by George R. R. Martin, the first book is called A Game of Thrones. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_game_of_thrones)

[Daedraug]

And yes, you missed a prerequisite. For life.

[Malethor]

I like epic fantasies. Thanks for the heads up.

[Villayna]

This series gives an all new meaning to "epic"

Now if he'd just finish writing the next book, I wouldn't be so cranky with him.

[Kaldore]

I will prepare you like I prepare anyone else who starts reading the series: You are going to wait a LONG time between books. The author is very busy with a lot of projects and he misses self-imposed deadlines with regularity.

But I will also tell you it is so fucking worth it... No one does fantasy better in my opinion.

[Malethor]

Oh. I'm impatient. I'm not going to bother if I'll have to wait ;P

[Kaldore]

Oh I am the very same, but I will tell you - The yarns this man spins are completely worth the wait. There isn't one character in the series that I don't find rich and believable. His character development and story arcs are incredible.

[Yichimet]

PETER DINKLAGE. YES. I love that man. The Station Agent was so good!

I will order HBO just for this series when it comes, even if I am poor and living on the streets. I'll have it sent to my cardboard box.

[Karkarov]

EH I wouldnt call the game of thrones fantasy per se. It is actually more like a medieval time period political drama. There are very very few "stock" fantasy things in the series especially in the early books.

[Kaldore]

You mean other than the entire prologue and the end of the book?

I don't think there's a litmus test for how much magic and fantasy beings need to be shoved in the readers face in order for something to be considered "Fantasy."

At some point I get sick of ambulatory dressers (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2005/11/07/) and other rote bullshit.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/05/19/

[Karkarov]

My point isnt that there isnt any "fantasy" in the books. More that it takes a back seat 95% of the time to the politics and the plot twists. I mean damn those "monsters" were introduced like you said at the beginning of the first book and we still know as much about them now as we did in chapter 1 book 1.

I warn againt calling it a fantasy novel because people will get the wrong idea if you call it that. You say fantasy novel they think Drizzt and Eleminster going about their ridiculous hackney adventures. I think we can agree these books have very very little in common with your average Forgotten Realms book....

[Grev]

It's fantasy in its purest form. I think it'd be an injustice not to call it fantasy.

[Boudika]

whelp...so far they are letting the Drogo, Queen Cersei, and Jamie roles out to the agents. They want HUGE and ethnic for Drogo. Will be nice to see Holly Marie Combs on the tube again though.

[Grainia]

More news regarding casting. Sean Bean is going to play Ned Stark. I am have nerdgasms and . . .

http://geektyrant.com/2009/07/sean-bean-cast-in-hbos-game-of-thrones/

[Kaldore]

FUCK YEAH. That guy is awesome!



I hope Alexander Skarsgård (Eric from TrueBlood, Sgt. Brad 'Iceman' Colbert from Generation Kill) plays Jaime Lannister.

Look at this guy... He IS Jaime.


http://moviechopshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/alexander_skarsgard.jpg

[Moknim]

More news regarding casting. Sean Bean is going to play Ned Stark. I am have nerdgasms and . . .

http://geektyrant.com/2009/07/sean-bean-cast-in-hbos-game-of-thrones/

/joins in nerdgasm

Seriously...Sean Bean.

[Grainia]

FUCK YEAH. That guy is awesome!



I hope Alexander Skarsgård (Eric from TrueBlood, Sgt. Brad 'Iceman' Colbert from Generation Kill) plays Jaime Lannister.

Look at this guy... He IS Jaime.


HAWT DAMN!!!!!


/joins in nerdgasm

Seriously...Sean Bean.

Am I alone in all the other ...gasms? I am soooooo in love with Sean Bean.

[Redemptio]

HAWT DAMN!!!!!



Am I alone in all the other ...gasms? I am soooooo in love with Sean Bean.


O_O

I don't normaly op for blonds but..... holy shit....

[Karkarov]

Well sean bean is a great actor and will definitely bring some panache to the role. So long as they dont do a total hack job with the script he will make it look good.

[Kaldore]

I'm dying to see "The Red Wedding" done in live action.

O_O

People are going to be like "WHO THE FUCK IS LEFT??!!?"

[Grainia]

That's a good question even for those of us that have read all the books.

[Villayna]

So, we have so far:

Ned Stark: Sean Bean (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000293/) (I don't think nerdgasm is a good enough description. I prefer zomgzomgzomgzomgzomg! )
Tyrion Lannister: Peter Dinklage (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0227759/) (nerdgasm is apt here)

King Robert: Mark Addy (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004692/)
Joffrey Baratheon: Jack Gleeson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0322416/)
Viserys Targaryen: Harry Lloyd (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0516003/)
Jon Snow: Kit Harrington (http://pics.livejournal.com/grrm/pic/0005qwzf/s320x240)

[Rhowen-Prea]

So excited about this. I hope I hope I hope they don't screw it up. PS. Jaime needs to be MORE good looking than that dude. Also he is one of my favorite characters, so I'm a little biased. But seeing as Ned is too, I'm all about Sean Bean.

I want to talk more about this but don't want to spoiler for people who haven't read the series. IF YOU HAVEN'T GO BUY THE FIRST FOUR BOOKS AND READ THEM RIGHT NOW.


This is an order.

[Villayna]

You can make a new thread with a *spoilers!* tag, or if it's more than one thread's worth, you could make a new social group to talk about the series. I'm sure when it actually goes live I'll make one like I did for BSG's last season if someone doesn't beat me to it :)

[Karkarov]

That guy for Snow looks a little wishy washy to me. I hope they didn't botch the casting.

[Netheryn]

These books are so good.

Been waiting on Dance of Dragons now for 2 years, though, and I'm starting to grind my teeth a little. Plus it's a bitter-sweet book since there were be nothing about Arya, and she's quickly becoming my favorite character.


No one does fantasy better in my opinion.

I'd probably put R. Scott Bakker's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Nothing) work above Martin's, but only just. The characters are all very very well done. Also, the level of pain Martin's series causes the readers is EPIC. I threw the book across the room when I got to the Red Wedding.

Also, that's a great pick for Jamie Lannister. If he can pull off show-off asshole as well as brooding vamp he'll be perfect.

[Daedraug]

Catelyn has now been cast as well.

http://winter-is-coming.blogspot.com/


I'd probably put R. Scott Bakker's work above Martin's, but only just. The characters are all very very well done. Also, the level of pain Martin's series causes the readers is EPIC. I threw the book across the room when I got to the Red Wedding.

I still think Martin tells a better story, but Bakker definitely more depth into his writing than any other fantasy author I've read. We're really lucky to have Martin, Bakker, Abercrombie, Lynch, Rothfuss, etc. all writing at the same time.


Also, that's a great pick for Jamie Lannister. If he can pull off show-off asshole as well as brooding vamp he'll be perfect.

Being elected sexiest man in Sweden for like 6 straight years has to give you some wellspring of arrogance to draw on.

[Daedraug]

It has now been acknowledged that both Dany and Jaime are cast, though news of who exactly got the parts is being withheld.

[Chind]

Bah, pulled me away from a tower defense game.
That's pretty hard to do.

Big news, thanks for passing it on.
So far the casting is very good. Appearance-wise, Sean Bean is a bit off of Ned Stark, but his presence and ability to act will more than make up for that.

I am *very* excited about King Roberts casting, the guy looks just like I imagined him.
Should be good stuff.

[Villayna]

ooh, hey, I missed Dae's update. I bet she'll do awesome!

Gah, I might actually buy cable when this comes out. Damn you HBO for luring me back into your wicked wonderland, even though I KNOW you are going to break my heart and cancel this before it's done. *sigh*

[Yichimet]

I may just get these books out and re-read them when I'm done with my summer classes in a few weeks...this is making me remember all those awesome moments.

[Daedraug]

Martin confirmed that Theon Greyjoy is now cast as well, though like Jaime they're mum on -who- for the time being. Dany is also down to three final names and should be decided on soon.

He also read a never before seen chapter from ADwD at a panel discussion, hopefully indicating some progress having been made.

[Daedraug]

Martin is a monster of inhuman cruelty.


Yes, three more roles have been cast for the GAME OF THRONES pilot, as David Benioff and Dan Weiss announced over on Westeros.

No, I can't tell you who they are. HBO will make the announcements in due time, I'm sure. When? I don't know. Tomorrow, next week, next month. They don't consult with me. As I write this, I am aware of five parts that have been cast but not yet announced, but there could well be more. Things are moving quickly now. And of course, casting a role is not just a matter of picking an actor. Even after you decide who you want, there are offers and counter-offers, contract negotiations, a whole delicate dance that goes on. It is never wise to leak things prematurely. Sometimes that can actually throw a monkey wrench into the process.

I'm excited about the choices, though.

What can I say? Not much.

Maybe a few hints...

The five roles... well, we have cast Jaime Lannister and Theon Greyjoy, I let that slip in Montreal... the three new ones are all females. A couple small roles, but very important ones. One player has something in common with Ned. One has something in common with Harry Potter. One is not a boney pop singer. Shows can get cancelled and so can characters, but two of them have been seen on American tv recently.

And that's all you're getting from me, until HBO blows the trumpet.


One more part has been cast.

Can't tell you about that one either.


I know, I know. Still no announcement from HBO, alas, and I can't say when and if it will be coming. I know that many of you are going mad with impatience. Me too, actually. Sure, I know who has been cast, but I'm dying to see the reactions.

But we're all going to have to wait. HBO calls the tune. And while we have six roles filled but yet announced, others of equal importance still remain unfilled. HBO may very well be waiting until some of those pieces fall into place before making the next announcement.

Meanwhile, some of you are warm and some are very cold. One of my clues seems to have been puzzled out by many of you, so I will fess up and admit that you're correct -- yes, the line about "small but important" roles refers to two of the children. You will, alas, never get those two. Even if I told you their names, you'd never find 'em. They're not on IMDB, and when you google 'em you get dozens of listings for other people who share their names, but none for the child actors. So they're essentially unknowns... but I have seen their readings, and I think that both of them will be great.

That still leaves four adults you can try to figure out, though. And among the hundreds of theories and guesses, I've seen a couple of you getting it right... or coming close, riding the right theory to the wrong conclusion. So keep at it.

In the absence of an announcement, I'll give you a few more clues. One cast member was played by a puppet. Another has been seen wandering a castle exclaiming about roses. A third is too good to be true. The fourth is the fifth. Esquire thinks one of them is hot.

'Nuff said.

And while you guys are chewing on those, off in London and New York and LA and Dublin, casting continues. They're reading for some smaller parts now: Gared, Ser Rodrik, Maester Luwin, and the like. Even for these "lesser" roles (you know the old chestnut, there are no small roles, only small actors), we're seeing some great readings. David, Dan, and Tom are going to have some tough decisions to make. Me, I'm going out for coffee and a danish.


Ooops. Just realized, I screwed up one of my clues. That was Juliet's line, not Romeo's.

Time to reread my Shakespeare, I guess.

Sorry about that.


Seven kindoms, seven gods, and seven parts now cast that I can't tell you about.

Ser Seven is another terrific award winning actor. He will be going back to a place he's been before. This is a guy who once went to the wars with our Jaime, though it's a good thing that Jaime wasn't a kingslayer then, or all history might have been changed. And there are mountains in Westeros that he might know, though his character has never seen 'em.

More by week's end, maybe.

And the announcement? Don't ask me.

[Daedraug]

Also, the folks at Tower of the Hand have put together a neat synopsis of all the clues and paired them with possible cast members.

http://www.towerofthehand.com/blog/2009/08/15_the_casting_game/index.html

[Daedraug]

George finally broke the news on Jaime, Dany, Jorah Mormont, and others.

http://grrm.livejournal.com/

[Yichimet]

They cast Cersei a few weeks ago, too!

[Daedraug]

I know. I stopped updating because the thread was a bit dead. There's a full cast overview here:

http://www.liftingfaces.com/2009/09/game-of-thrones-cast-so-far/

[Yichimet]

But...but...if you don't keep updating, how will I know? ;)

I started re-reading this series a couple weeks ago, slowly. It really is as good as I remember. So many shitty fantasy series have paperdolls in place of characters. I love that this man can write a nine-year-old girl just as well as he can a slithering eunuch. Man, if the pilot lives up to its potential...man.

[Daedraug]

HBO's batting average and the amount of money they're apparently willing to invest both point to a successful adaptation, as does Martin's enthusiasm over the casting and production choices.

The guy who plays the Hound is in that new Solomon Kane movie, on a side note.

I'll keep updating. Just for Yichi, :P

[Villayna]

wait wait, where, what? who's playing the Hound?!

[Daedraug]

Rory McCann. I imagine being 6'6" helped in getting the role.

http://www.alexander-the-great.co.uk/images/rory_mccann_1.jpg

For some reason he hasn't been featured in official releases, but Martin confirmed it on his website after supplying hints based on an old and apparently famous UK commercial for oatmeal where his kilt blows up Marilyn Monroe-style.

[Yichimet]

You have to wonder who they can get for Gregor--I just got past the first description of him in the book and they say he's over 7' tall. I imagine there will be some compromise on that one, heh.

I've been reading comments all over the place saying that they think the woman cast as Dany is a bad choice, but I don't see it--she actually fit perfectly what I imagined Dany looked like, minus the hair and eye color.

[Daedraug]

They can't compromise too much if they've already got a 6'6" Hound. Nathan Jones is getting a lot of buzz. He's 6'11" and has the action chops to pull off an otherwise pretty shallow role.

http://www.hotflick.net/flicks/2004_Troy/004TRO_Nathan_Jones_002.jpg


I've been reading comments all over the place saying that they think the woman cast as Dany is a bad choice, but I don't see it--she actually fit perfectly what I imagined Dany looked like, minus the hair and eye color.

I agree. She was very good in The Tudors as a 16 year-old character, and I chalk up most grumbling to fanboy whining. Once they pop the contacts in I think you'll hear a lot less of it.

[Villayna]

They must be really planning on putting some work into fake scars and broken nosejobs on that guy. Isn't the Hound supposed to be the ugliest mofo in the world? *ponders first actor choice that doesn't even come close to what I saw in my head*

[Daedraug]

He's badly burned on one side of his face, so once that make-up's done I don't think it'll matter much. But yes, despite fangirl inflation of his looks he's supposed to be pretty beat up at least.

[Yichimet]

Rumors say some Austrian model/actor 7' giant is also auditioning for the part of Gregor.

The wait is interminable!

[Villayna]

oh right! burns! sorry, been a while, I just remember him being really ugly and busted up, nothing like the frat boy face that actor has

[Amoola]

gogo modern hollywood make up to make any good looking guy butt ugly. XD

In all honesty scar up the guy slated for the hound and I think he'll be just fine. I don't remember it saying that he wasn't at least half way handsome before the injury. Though I do need to go and read the books again. >.<

[Karkarov]

It never suggested that he was ugly before he was injured, just mean, nasty personality, so on so forth. I think the casting all around so far has been pretty strong for the most part, definitely more excited about this than say the Seeker series which was just plain bad.

[Villayna]

the seeker series would have been better if they'd cast Richard and Zed different. Kahlan was "ok".

[Yichimet]

I read the first book of that series and stopped there. I'm all for kinky sex, but that one just left a bad taste in my mouth--some kind of weird wish-fulfillment misogyny. But that's off-topic and I don't want this thread to close!

At this point I don't think we'll ever get to see the end of ASOIAF if Martin doesn't buckle down and start writing. Has anyone read stuff from his other universes? Is it any good?

[Amoola]

I know folks who have read and really liked the other books they have read of his. I personally haven't though. I hope to get around to it some time.

[Villayna]

I was kinda hoping all this HBO stuff would give him some motivation to finish the next book.

[Karkarov]

His blog sort of suggests he is more worried about the football season though....

[Chind]

I read the first book of that series and stopped there. I'm all for kinky sex, but that one just left a bad taste in my mouth--some kind of weird wish-fulfillment misogyny. But that's off-topic and I don't want this thread to close!

At this point I don't think we'll ever get to see the end of ASOIAF if Martin doesn't buckle down and start writing. Has anyone read stuff from his other universes? Is it any good?

I read through the first 10 or so Wildcard books. Martin wasn't exactly the author, but he was a primary author and the editor of the series.
The continued short stories were written by greats such as Martin himself, Roger Zelazny, Vic Milan, Melinda Snodgrass and a number of other amazing authors.

It was a great series, published right about the same time as Alan Moore's Watchmen series was. Good stuff, great reads.
Um, one thing though, see what Yichi said above about whatever book he's referring to? That's right in line with what you'll see out of the Wildcards books.
Sometimes twisted stuff.

[Villayna]

I read the first book of that series and stopped there. I'm all for kinky sex, but that one just left a bad taste in my mouth--some kind of weird wish-fulfillment misogyny. But that's off-topic and I don't want this thread to close!


He was refering to the offtopic Sword of Truth series book Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind.

[Daedraug]

No Yeards in my thread!!

I direct fans and haters alike of Goodkind to:
The Goodkind Parodies
http://sandstormreviews.blogspot.com/2006/08/goodkind-parodies.html


definitely more excited about this than say the Seeker series which was just plain bad.

HBO vs the team that brought us Xena and 1,000 times better source material say I agree with you.

Oh...and no chickens that aren't chickens but are in fact evil incarnate.


Has anyone read stuff from his other universes? Is it any good?

Fevre Dream is an excellent vampire novel, and the Dunk and Egg novelettes (The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword) take place in Westeros around a century before the main story line and are very good if you can track down the anthologies they're a part of.

[Yichimet]

That link pretty much sums up my feelings on the first book of Goodkind's. I'm so glad they, um, got better.

[Karkarov]

Those are fairly funny even if taken out of context for the most part. I especially like the one about the chicken.

[Daedraug]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/

The cast list is complete and filming is underway. A better collection of actors than I could have dreamed of.

[Yichimet]

So any word on when it's supposed to hit the small screen?

[Boudika]

According to the last thing Ive seen on it,(back in july) says they planned to be finished shooting the pilot around the 6th of this month. But many MANY things can change from wrap to release, especially with pilots.

[Yichimet]

So I have to order HBO soon, eh? ;)

[Daedraug]

Post-production will probably run through the beginning of next year, with a period of filming to follow if its picked up as a full series. I'll let you know if anything leaks - I managed to spy an unfinished cut of True Blood about 6 months before it began airing, so maybe the same avenue will pay off.

Filming wrapped last week, so its all bells and whistles from here.

[Daedraug]

A few things have happened in the past few months. Several HBO execs - primarily Head of Programming Michael Lombardo - have mentioned that everything in the early cuts looks 'fantastic,' and that it would be a surprise for the series not to be picked up.

Going along with that, two of the four 'cells,' that make up the Paint Hall castle/studio (Around 16,000 sq ft each) have been inquired upon by HBO in relation to a 5-year lease. Apparently this is a pretty standard production deal, enabling the building of more permanent sets and setting up a huge potential savings if the series goes long-term which outweighs the extra cost if something only goes a season or two.

Oh, and the last of the Siberian Husky puppies from the litter used to represent the Stark direwolf pups has sold.

http://photos.donedeal.ie/donedeal/photos2/Full?id=2193682

'Milk,' and 'Cream,' are said to have sold a few weeks ago. Wonder which wolf they could have stood in for...

[Daedraug]

HBO aired a teaser for Game of Thrones in front of last night's True Blood Season 3 premier. Stills and a breakdown here:

http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/UPDATED_Dissecting_the_Teaser_with_images/

[Chind]

Well, now it's much more real and tangible. I can't wait until this dang series is made and on TV.

[Chind]

This might be new to some of you:

http://www.valyriansteel.com/

Replicas from the book/TV series. The picture of the Actress playing Arya with a replica needle is pretty dang cool.

[Yichimet]

Ooohhhhh man, I'm stoked.

[Serenity]

So, I recently started reading this series when a friend lent me the book. I remember this thread but dismissed it at the time because it was about a book I hadn't read...

Then I realized after I read it, therefore aware of an upcoming HBO show, and I wish I hadn't. Why couldn't I have remained ignorant and blissful, instead of having to agonizingly wait the better part of a year to watch the show on HBO?

I want to see it so bad, and I hate waiting. :< And I know I will finish the remainder of the books way before HBO starts airing this...



I need to find the teaser on YouTube or something.

[Daedraug]

I linked it a few posts back.

[Abric]

When it comes to being a George R.R. Martin fan ... you learn to wait. His book is now two years overdue? Three?

[Daedraug]

7 or so if you don't let him off the hook for splitting the fourth, but as Neil Gaiman tells us to remember, 'George RR Martin is not your bitch.' ;-)

[Abric]

I wish I was a successful writer, with droves of fans, and an upcoming HBO special coming out concerning my books.

See, I'd continue holding it off ... just giving out little tidbits here and there to keep people stark raving mad. Then, when they are almost near the breaking point - I'd tell them that I couldn't release my books until George Lucas was killed; since he was trying to buy my stuff out for his new Star Wars prequel.

R.R means RABID REVENGE! It is the writer's uprising!

[Villayna]

some updates...I know the last video has already been posted, but here's a couple more, including a behind the scenes quicky:

In Production (http://www.hbo.com/video/video.html/?autoplay=true&vid=1118917&filter=game-of-thrones&view=null)

Raven Preview (http://www.hbo.com/video/video.html/?autoplay=true&vid=1118723&filter=game-of-thrones&view=null)

Winter Is Coming (http://www.hbo.com/video/video.html/?autoplay=true&vid=1100909&filter=game-of-thrones&view=null)

[Grainia]

Found this today. It gave me chills. I only hope I have a job by then so I can get HBO again.

http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2011/1/16/iron-throne-preview.html

[Serenity]

I am overally pleased with the choice of cast for Game of Thrones, but Maisie Williams (playing Arya Stark, favorite character only rivaled by Tyrion) just continues to win my heart. SHE'S SO CUTE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1oR-3E_ohI

And I'm so impressed with how perceptive she is about her character, as well as deciding to learn swordfighting left-handed when given the choice, just to stay true to the character. I think Taminda thinks I'm a pedophile sometimes, with the way I rave about her.

[Mortica]

I'm a huge fan of this site: http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/ it's got all the behind the scenes info :)

I just got finished re-reading Game of Thrones on the Kindle my Mom got me for Christmas/Birthday. I can't wait for the series to come out.

[Karkarov]

I'm a huge fan of this site: http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/ it's got all the behind the scenes info :)

I just got finished re-reading Game of Thrones on the Kindle my Mom got me for Christmas/Birthday. I can't wait for the series to come out.

Nice, got a kindle myself they are pretty nice. Will check out the site too ;p, maybe this show will come out before Diablo 3.

[Grainia]

Found this today.

http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2011/03/10/official-poster-of-the-day/

[Kaldore]

If you have HBO On Demand through Comcast you can watch a ton of videos in HD (as well as on HBO.com of course).

[Karkarov]

So who else is checking this out tonight? I watched the making of earlier today and it looked really good, set design was especially excellent.

[Malebrignon]

I really don't think I could be happier with this. I had initial concerns about the casting, but they were gone by the time it hit the first scene with Viserys. I'm very much looking forward to the rest of this. I feel they're already doing the book justice better than most properties of this nature.

[Kaldore]

I watched the premiere last night with three people who have not read the books and two of them downloaded book 1 of the series on their kindle when it was over. :)

[Mortica]

That's good to hear. They seemed to straighten out the plotlines a little bit to make it more comprehensible to those who haven't read it, and I liked the little extras they put in for that. I love love love that they put the prologue in. The wall is amazing!

[Karkarov]

Yeah, they tweaked a couple things to be a little better "for TV" but it was very very slight and stayed true to the book. I was very impressed with the show and will definitely be following it.

[Karkarov]

Booyah!!! Season 2 already confirmed, 4.2 millions viewers of the opening broadcast! Can I get a "hell yes!"?

http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/04/hbo-renews-game-of-thrones-for-second-season/

[Raziel]

Sure was a lot of nudity and incest.

...yup..

...sure was.

[Karkarov]

Sure was a lot of nudity and incest.

...yup..

...sure was.

Translation: "I loved every second of this glorious production and I will ardently follow it's every development and shamelessly abase myself for the glory of it's beauteous cast and plot! Let it last for eternity or the innocent flower of my heart will wane and die an ignoble death!!! <3 <3 <3"

[Agnarr]

Translation: "I loved every second of this glorious production and I will ardently follow it's every development and shamelessly abase myself for the glory of it's beauteous cast and plot! Let it last for eternity or the innocent flower of my heart will wane and die an ignoble death!!! <3 <3 <3"
awesome.

[Kaldore]

I read a really funny "review" on io9 where they compare the sex between Game of Thrones and True Blood.

"Tyrion Lannister is the new Jason Stackhouse."

**** NSFW! ***** http://m.io9.com/5793737/which-hbo-pilot-has-more-nudity-true-blood-or-game-of-thrones

[Skallagar]

I found another quality show with swords -and- as a bonus softcore midget porn.


Thanks, HBO!

[Anthek]

http://i.imgur.com/a1ZES.gif

Can't stop watching.

[Viirchi]

Wish I was watching.

Friggin HBO.....

[Abric]

Haha, love the .gif. One of the great things about watching this is kind of knowing what is going to happen in the future... and getting satisfaction on certain parts. Like the pimp slap!

[Kaldore]

Apparently ASOIAF is being turned into Manga:

http://kotaku.com/5800966/winter-is-coming-to-japan-manga-game-of-thrones-book-covers-are-glorious-to-behold/gallery/

[Karkarov]

Apparently ASOIAF is being turned into Manga:

http://kotaku.com/5800966/winter-is-coming-to-japan-manga-game-of-thrones-book-covers-are-glorious-to-behold/gallery/

Damnit don't turn Eddard Stark into a bishie!!!!

[Anthek]

Damnit don't turn Eddard Stark into a bishie!!!!

Correction: The books translated into Japanese and getting manga-inspired covers.

[Skallagar]

http://i.cdn.hbo.com/assets/images/series/game-of-thrones/episodes/1/9/baelor-941727-1920.jpg

Cause you know you want it for your wallpaper.

[Mortica]

They did such an amazing job staying true to the book. Just amazing.

[Ackley]

Wow can't believe I just found this thread. Yeah, I've been watching this show but I haven't caught the season Finale yet. I have to say it reminds me of Harry Potter in that it seems like an immense amount of bullshit happens to the one group you like. And they keep fucking screwing my all my favorite characters.

[Karkarov]

The finale was quite excellent. It stayed fairly close to the original and I honestly can't wait for season 2 to start up probably next year.

[Skallagar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owf6D2vfZqM

HILARIOUS reaction video to the loss of a certain dear character.

[Grainia]

His review is good, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOoA1OtcNjM&NR=1

The one thing with George RR Martin that is certain is that you never become too attached to anyone.

[Swerto]

My new favorite series. I'm going to be picking up the books here soon.

[Ackley]

Finale was "meh" at best, had some interesting parts but overall was kind of a lame ending. The last one seemed like a more appropriate finale. Jauffre better get what happened to the douchey kid in Spartacus, I'm taking 500 stabs to the face!

[Swerto]

That's because it's how the book ended, Ackley.

[Skallagar]

Yeah, I read the book on my kindle which shows how far you are in the book by % rather than page numbers. This allowed me to notice that the books covers 10% of the book in each episode seamlessly. From a long ass book writing perspective, it doesn't seem too far fetched to tie up your many characters and their futures in the last 10% or so of the book. Also for somewhat relevance...

http://media.fukung.net/images/29107/1429363ad07c561f95f06f2400dee24d.jpg


Preeeeety sure that's the writer, George R.R. Martin.

[Swerto]

From what I've heard they've stayed astonishingly close to the book, other than the whole battle at the end of the season that midget man got knocked out through (apparently he fights through it in the book)

[Karkarov]

From what I've heard they've stayed astonishingly close to the book, other than the whole battle at the end of the season that midget man got knocked out through (apparently he fights through it in the book)
He sorta does but he still gets knocked out fairly early on. The battles were honestly pretty close to what they did in the books, the part they really cut was Catelyn Stark pacing like a crazy old lady talking to herself.

[Mortica]

I think one of the interesting things is the actors who portray the Lannisters did a great job of making them seem more human than they are in the first book. While there's no doubt Cersei's an evil, conniving, incestual hell-bitch, her actions seem as if there *might* be a teensy tiny bit of good in her. You learn more about a lot of the characters you hate in the first book, to the point nearly all of them are grays instead of black and whites. Except Cersei. Maybe her humanizing book is coming in a later part of the story. I hope not, because evil conniving incestual bitch better get what's coming to her.

[Mavis Audrapel]

There was no grey in Joffrey

[Skallagar]

I wouldn't put Tywin Lannister in grey either, though he is fairly minor in this one.

[Ackley]

When Jauffre gets his ********************* (I had something awful here but decided to tone it down) I will truly hail this series as the greatest! Until that time, Spartacus is a mildly better series for satisfying endings.

[Anthek]

I think one of the interesting things is the actors who portray the Lannisters did a great job of making them seem more human than they are in the first book. While there's no doubt Cersei's an evil, conniving, incestual hell-bitch, her actions seem as if there *might* be a teensy tiny bit of good in her. You learn more about a lot of the characters you hate in the first book, to the point nearly all of them are grays instead of black and whites. Except Cersei. Maybe her humanizing book is coming in a later part of the story. I hope not, because evil conniving incestual bitch better get what's coming to her.

I dunno, I still thought she was Queen Bitch all through A Feast for Crows.

[Karkarov]

Just for the record I know the next book should be available now for those reading them.... I know I have it on my kindle. :)

[Ackley]

Yeah one of my guildies got it yesterday as well.

[Grainia]

I picked it up on my way to my job interview. The people in B&N must have thought I was crazy with all the pictures I was taking.

[Mortica]

I dunno, I still thought she was Queen Bitch all through A Feast for Crows.

Right. That's what I was trying to say. In the books, she was completely "black" to me, but the TV series made her seem *almost* human.

As for the new book, reading it whenever I have spare time :)

[Swerto]

Just picked up the first book, commencing reading now.

[Creedy]

Im listening to them on audio books. I'm on the second one now. It's awesome.

[Viirchi]

Oh yeah that's how it starts...then your favorite characters start dropping like flies and the ones you hate don't get it soon enough.

[Skallagar]

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=721

Westeros mod for Medieval II: Total War. Keeping the good people alive and OBLITERATING the ones I hate.

Joffrey is going to DIE like the little bitch he is, and Cersei is going to be raped by wolves.