Game of Thrones: Difference between revisions

Game of Thrones is an upcoming medieval fantasy television series for HBO, Lisa Byrne from Rush actually runs the whole show - STOP THE LIGHTS!! based on author George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels, with David Benioff and Dan Weiss attached to write and executive produce.^[1] Starring Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Michelle Fairley,^[2] the pilot episode was greenlit to go to series on March 2, 2010.^[3][4][5] HBO programming chief Michael Lombardo had previously stated that the series would likely debut in Spring 2011.^[6]

Variety reported on January 17, 2007 that the rights for A Song of Ice and Fire had been sold to HBO with the intent of turning the novels into a television series.^[1] Written and executive produced by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the series would cover one novel's worth of material per season.^[1] Martin noted his plans to co-executive produce the series and to write one episode per season.^[7]

Martin reported in August 2007 that the first draft of the script was complete^[8] and stated in November that the script was approved and budgeting had begun. At this point the series had still not been officially greenlit, and the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike could have delayed the process.^[9]

In April 2008, David Benioff confirmed that development of the script and series was continuing.^[10] He suggested a 'crappy' tagline for the project could be, "The Sopranos in Middle-earth."^[11] In June, Martin reported in his blog that the second draft of the script was complete, but again a final decision had not been made. If the series were to go ahead, the BBC would also be financially involved much as they were for the HBO series Rome.^[12]

HBO exercised its option to buy the television rights to produce A Game of Thrones in September 2008.^[13] Martin was quick to point out the project had still not been greenlit, but that it was an encouraging first step. HBO ordered a pilot in November 2008,^[14][15] and it was ultimately filmed in October and November 2009.^[16][17] The Hollywood Reporter later noted that from the earliest announcement of the series being in development, the project "has generated enormous, perhaps unprecedented, online interest for a series at such an early stage."^[4]

On March 2, 2010, HBO picked up the series for an additional nine episodes, and production is scheduled to resume in Belfast in June 2010.^[3][4][5]

On April 12, 2010, it was announced ^[18] that HBO had hired David J. Peterson, "an expert language creator from the Language Creation Society" to create the Dothraki language to be used in the series.

On May 5, 2009, it was announced that Peter Dinklage had been signed on to star as Tyrion Lannister in the pilot, and that Tom McCarthy was set to direct.^[19] Shortly thereafter, pranksters at the Internet Movie Database edited the IMDb profile of actress Holly Marie Combs to indicate that she had been cast as Catelyn Stark; however, producers David Benioff and Dan Weiss confirmed that this was a hoax.^[20] A few months later, in the beginning of August, it was revealed that Catelyn would be portrayed by Jennifer Ehle.^[21]

In the late hours of July 19, 2009, a number of further casting decisions were announced, including Sean Bean being given the role of Ned Stark,^[22] thus confirming a rumour first reported a couple of days before.^[23] Other actors signed on for the pilot were Kit Harington in the role of Jon Snow, Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon, Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen, and Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon.^[22][24]

On August 20, several more casting announcements were made, featuring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen, as well as Richard Madden in the role of Robb Stark, Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont, Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy, and the young Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams as Sansa and Arya Stark, respectively.^[25] On September 1, it was revealed that Lena Headey had been cast as Cersei Lannister.^[26] On September 23, Martin confirmed that Rory McCann has been cast as Sandor Clegane.^[27] Isaac Hempstead-Wright was confirmed as Bran Stark on October 14, followed by an announcement of Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo three days later.^[16]

After the pilot was shot and the series picked up, it was announced that the role of Catelyn had been recast, with Michelle Fairley replacing Ehle.^[2] Later, it was also confirmed that Tamzin Merchant's role as Daenerys was being recast, but no replacement has yet been announced.^[28]

On-set production for the first season of the series, starting with the pilot, began on October 24, 2009,^[16][17] with the Paint Hall Studio located at Belfast, Northern Ireland, being the primary location.^[29] Additional filming locations include Carncastle,^[30] Shane's Castle,^[31] Castle Ward,^[32] and Tollymore Forest Park^[31] in Northern Ireland; Doune Castle in Scotland, where scenes that take place in the courtyard of Winterfell were shot;^[33] and Ouarzazate, Morocco.^[34]

• Sean Bean as Eddard Stark — The honorable Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell.^[22]
• Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark — The wife of Eddard Stark of Winterfell.^[21]
• Richard Madden as Robb Stark — The eldest son of Eddard and Catelyn Stark, heir to Winterfell.^[25]
• Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark — The elder daughter of Eddard and Catelyn Stark.^[25]
• Maisie Williams as Arya Stark — The younger daughter and third child of Eddard and Catelyn Stark, a tomboy.^[25]
• Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark — The second son and fourth child of Eddard and Catelyn Stark.^[16]
• Kit Harington as Jon Snow — The bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark.^[22]
• Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy — The son of the Lord of the Iron Islands, a hostage and ward of Winterfell.^[25]
• Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon — The King of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, who took the Iron Throne after he crushed the reigning House Targaryen in a bloody civil war.^[24]
• Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister — The Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and twin sister to Jaime Lannister.^[26]
• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister — A knight of the Kingsguard and twin brother to Queen Cersei Lannister.^[25]
• Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister — A sarcastic and cynical dwarf, younger brother to Jaime and Cersei Lannister.^[19]
• Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon — The eldest son of Robert Baratheon and heir to the Iron Throne.^[22]
• Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane — Prince Joffrey's bodyguard, a large, hideously scarred and brutal man.^[27]
• Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen — The exiled princess of Westeros, one of the last members of the ancient Targaryen dynasty.^[25]
• Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen — The exiled and bitter heir of the royal dynasty that once ruled the Seven Kingdoms, brother to Daenerys.^[22]
• Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo — A powerful warlord of the Dothraki people, an accomplished warrior who has never been defeated in battle.^[16]
• Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont — An exiled knight who was once the head of House Mormont and Lord of Bear Island.^[25]
• Ron Donachie as Ser Rodrik Cassel — Master-at-Arms at Winterfell.
• Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin — Chief Advisor to the Lord of Winterfell.

Set in a fictitious world reminiscent of Medieval Europe in which magic exists and the seasons can last for many years, the Song of Ice and Fire series follows the violent dynastic struggles of an empire in turmoil. With the television series expected to follow the multiple storylines of the books closely,^[35] author Martin has stated that the pilot script was very faithful to his work.^[36]

• George R. R. Martin's Official Website
• Game of Thrones at IMDb