HBO Game of Thrones is GAME ON (Spoilers for Books 1-5) [Archive]

Doctor Setebos

11-12-2008, 06:52 AM

At least for the pilot (http://grrm.livejournal.com/58155.html):

HBO has given the production order.

They will be filming the pilot episode of A GAME OF THRONES.

It's just the pilot so far. They'll need to see that before they decide whether to proceed with a full season's episodes. So let's all hope the pilot will kick serious ass.

It should. David Benioff and Dan Weiss did a terrific job with the script. And yes, all of you can relax, it's very faithful. Dan and David will be the executive producers for the pilot and (we hope) the eventual series.

More details when I have 'em. The news is very fresh. HBO just issued their own press release, which should be up on their website soon, if it's not there already.

Winter is coming to HBO. Hot damn.Well, George seems happy, as well he should seeing his biggest property being made into an HBO miniseries. What are your thoughts?

DoctorFinger

11-12-2008, 06:56 AM

My first thought? They're planning to do each book as a full season. So George better get on his horse unless he wants the ending to appear on screen before it appears in print.

BTW, it also says the next book is due in April, but they've said that before, too.

Doctor Setebos

11-12-2008, 07:12 AM

Yeah, I actually stopped reading Feast for Crows about halfway through when I realized that Dance wasn't available yet. And if it's taken 3-4 years to get from Feast to Dance, who knows how long it will be until 6 and 7 are available.

And if the first few seasons of the show are successful, I can see HBO having no qualms about finishing the series for Martin.

pheriannath

11-12-2008, 07:21 AM

They better not fuck it up, that's all I've got to say.

roboninja

11-12-2008, 07:44 AM

Eagerly looking forward to this, as I do not expect HBO to royally fuck this up. They have at least earned that level of trust from me.

DoctorFinger

11-12-2008, 07:54 AM

I think the success of Rome paved the way for this, and I also don't think HBO would fuck it up too badly. But, it will invariably have to be scaled back a touch. There are a lot of characters and houses to keep track of in the books, and even with the backmatter it can be tough to keep them straight. I figure they'll scale back on some of the tertiary storylines, or at least push them back until later in the series, once the major players are established.

In particular I think the Iron Islands story will be either scaled back, or cut entirely.

Doctor Setebos

11-12-2008, 08:01 AM

In particular I think the Iron Islands story will be either scaled back, or cut entirely.I doubt that. There's a lot of conflict in that side story, and good stories are built on well-crafted conflict. I agree, it might be scaled back a bit, but you can't cut it out completely and still be able to get the sense that the entire world is going power-hungry insane.

Also, I eagerly anticipate learning who will play Tyrion. That's going to be a hell of a tough part to play.

Mike Kelehan

11-12-2008, 08:03 AM

You know, there's no rule that there has to be one season every year. The Sopranos would take all the time they needed in between seasons. If the books aren't done, HBO will wait.

Grifter

11-12-2008, 08:10 AM

In particular I think the Iron Islands story will be either scaled back, or cut entirely.

I can see it being scaled back but those events lead up to a pretty large plot element so thy can't remove them all together.

Spigot

11-12-2008, 08:13 AM

I'm interested to see how this pans out, as the first three books of the series were my favourite. Feast took me far too many attempts to read before I finally made it through and ultimately felt like he could have trimmed about 3/4's of the book instead of taking us on a walking tour of the whole damned kingdom.

I can't wait for Dance With Dragons though. Mmm... All of my favourites are in that book!

DoctorFinger

11-12-2008, 08:15 AM

You know, there's no rule that there has to be one season every year. The Sopranos would take all the time they needed in between seasons. If the books aren't done, HBO will wait.I was having some fun with old George, but the Sopranos is the exception more than the rule. Most shows don't get to take 2 whole years off between seasons.

Sandman

11-12-2008, 10:39 AM

I should probably start actually reading this series shouldn't I?

Stoke

11-12-2008, 10:49 AM

I should probably start actually reading this series shouldn't I?
I am a huge fan of A Song of Ice and Fire, but I will say no. Do not start this series, it will never be finished at the rate he is going now.

Blue

11-12-2008, 10:57 AM

I can't tell if I'm excited or terrified.

DoctorFinger

11-12-2008, 11:13 AM

It is - IMO - the best adult fantasy series out there, but Stroke is right; we'll all be grandparents before it's finished.

BTW, it seems like it's a big day for fantasy novel announcements all around (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=2384).

Telefrog

11-12-2008, 11:50 AM

Also, I eagerly anticipate learning who will play Tyrion. That's going to be a hell of a tough part to play.

God, I love me some Tyrion Lannister. That ugly little man can siege my fort any time... Shit! Did I just type that in a public forum?

Sandman

11-12-2008, 12:05 PM

God, I love me some Tyrion Lannister. That ugly little man can siege my fort any time... Shit! Did I just type that in a public forum?

As I said before I haven't read the book so I may be completely off base but for some reason Armin Shimerman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Shimerman) came to mind.

Mike Kelehan

11-12-2008, 03:45 PM

I was having some fun with old George, but the Sopranos is the exception more than the rule. Most shows don't get to take 2 whole years off between seasons.

You seem to be forgetting that it's not TV. It's HBO.

pomeroy

11-12-2008, 06:49 PM

Get to work, George. Seriously. I'm excited for an HBO series, but I'd rather him just start finishing fucking books already.

PathMaster

11-12-2008, 09:11 PM

VerseD

11-13-2008, 02:21 AM

I'm glad to see this actually happening. HBO always makes good stuff, and George is involved and excited (and a hobbit?). I can't wait to see who plays who.

OrangePulp

11-13-2008, 02:27 AM

God, I love me some Tyrion Lannister. That ugly little man can siege my fort any time... Shit! Did I just type that in a public forum?

I think Jaime Lannister is one of my favorite characters, actually. Didn't start out that way, but he's definitely had some development.

Glad to hear Martin himself is saying the series is faithful; coming from anyone else, I'd be skeptical, but the author? Awesome. Maybe this is something I can really look forward to.

RandoM51

11-13-2008, 03:04 AM

I doubt there is an actor on the planet capable of delivering a believable Tyrion. I feel the same way about Jon Snow. I doubt there is a person at the biological age of the character who can deliver the maturity required.

Doctor Setebos

11-13-2008, 08:01 AM

When I read the first book, I always pictured Liam Neeson as Eddard Stark. When that doesn't actually happen, I will be sorely disappointed. For, essentially, no good reason.

shunoshi

11-13-2008, 12:08 PM

The first thing I thought of when thinking of casting Tyrion was Warwick Davis. They'd have to ugly him up a bit though. I also don't think Tyrion is quite that short.

I think HBO will do a good job. The story will have to be cut in places, but I'm unsure where the cuts can be made. There are a ton of characters, but at some point they all have an important role in the overall story. I'm curious how they're going to pull off having a supposedly 14-year old girl be topless come seasons 2/3. My bet is they'll leave it out or make sure to never mention Dany's age.

As long as they don't cast Orlando Bloom as Jon Snow, I'll be happy.

In reality, I'm hoping they pull in a bunch of no-names. I like it better having no preconceptions.

DoctorFinger

11-13-2008, 12:22 PM

Great news. I wonder how much CG they will do vs. real landscapes and sets. I have a feeling New Zealand will benefit from this.

I have read the first two books, but I own all four so far. I am eagerly awaiting any releases at this point before I start reading again.If you remember the books, you won't need too much in the way of effects the whole first season. A couple good shots of The Wall and some battle scenes are it. There's some more stuff you'd need effects for in later books - which I won't spoil, to be safe - but it's not a CGI heavy property (as of yet). To me doing the battle scenes well will require the most money.

As for playing Tyrion, the only other actor I could think of (please God no Warwick Davis) is Peter Dinklage (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0227759/), the guy from Threshold. He's not perfect, for one he lacks the hump Tyrion has, but it's tough to find an actor to fit that role.

Doctor Setebos

11-13-2008, 12:35 PM

the first thing i thought of when thinking of casting tyrion was warwick davis."Willow! WILLOW!" ;)

GigaFuzz

11-13-2008, 12:41 PM

As for playing Tyrion, the only other actor I could think of (please God no Warwick Davis) is Peter Dinklage (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0227759/), the guy from Threshold. He's not perfect, for one he lacks the hump Tyrion has, but it's tough to find an actor to fit that role.

He actually looks pretty close to how I image Tyrion. Once you've done all the make-up and prosthetics though, 'pretty close' can easily become 'spot on'.

National Kato

11-13-2008, 01:42 PM

How the hell are they going to deal with that horrible wedding scene? Will they go all out and show everything? I hope so.

shunoshi

11-13-2008, 02:21 PM

How the hell are they going to deal with that horrible wedding scene? Will they go all out and show everything? I hope so.

Oh, you know they will. That'll turn some peoples' stomachs and piss some people off as well. :D

bryan

11-14-2008, 08:29 AM

Rome was successful? Didn't it only go for one season? I remember someone saying that HBO fucked the creator over.

Mmm thought I posted the other day when this was first posted, anyhow, so far this is the best news of the week. I adore the books and really look forward to the series.

Winter is coming.

shunoshi

11-14-2008, 12:51 PM

Rome was successful? Didn't it only go for one season? I remember someone saying that HBO fucked the creator over.

Two seasons. Not sure on the fucking over, but it's possible. If there is one thing that HBO has problems with, it's properly finishing a series (whether it be issues with actors, writers, money, etc.).

NoName

11-14-2008, 01:07 PM

Awesome news. My favorite series by far. Here's to hoping that things work out.

DarkDay

11-14-2008, 01:14 PM

I have read most fantasy books out there over the years, I know of this series, is this the one where he speaks in the first person? I think I was told to read these long ago but got turned off by that?
If this is the series, and this is the case, how do these books stack up to the Guy guy Gavriel Kay's, Brooks, Eddings, etc? worth the read and time to get over writing style?

DoctorFinger

11-14-2008, 01:16 PM

As I've said, I think this is the best fantasy series out there. Very gritty, adult and actually realistic. It's most about politics and intrigue (hence the title of the first book: A Game of Thrones) than about the really fantastic stuff, although they do play a role.

National Kato

11-14-2008, 01:38 PM

I have read most fantasy books out there over the years, I know of this series, is this the one where he speaks in the first person?

Nope. Wrong series.

itchyeyes

11-14-2008, 01:42 PM

Just got Game of Thrones in the mail today from Amazon. Looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about.

DarkDay

11-14-2008, 02:03 PM

Cool, thanks guys ill pick up Game of Thrones on route to work. Just finishing up Goodkinds...finally.

Blue

11-14-2008, 02:06 PM

"Willow! WILLOW!" ;)

You spelled Wicket wrong.

shunoshi

11-14-2008, 04:09 PM

"Willow! WILLOW!" ;)

Madmartigan!!! :p

Nameless

11-14-2008, 04:17 PM

I finished reading A Game of Thrones last week, and it was incredible. I can't wait to see what HBO does with it. That said, I'm not going to hurry to read the series, as at the rate he's writing it, I'm not sure he'll ever even finish it.

This book fits perfectly on HBO, though, as they won't censor any of the worst parts. I can't wait to see who plays who.

Bone

11-14-2008, 04:38 PM

I think Jaime Lannister is one of my favorite characters, actually. Didn't start out that way, but he's definitely had some development.

Glad to hear Martin himself is saying the series is faithful; coming from anyone else, I'd be skeptical, but the author? Awesome. Maybe this is something I can really look forward to.

Tyrion, Jaime, than Arya are my favorite characters in order. Jaime really does have an arc, no? I love how Martin characterizes morality. The Lannister boys aren't evil, but they are right bastards.

I doubt there is an actor on the planet capable of delivering a believable Tyrion. I feel the same way about Jon Snow. I doubt there is a person at the biological age of the character who can deliver the maturity required.
Jon can look a bit older. The environment they live in is a more harsh than ours. Tyrion... that will be tough.

When I read the first book, I always pictured Liam Neeson as Eddard Stark. When that doesn't actually happen, I will be sorely disappointed. For, essentially, no good reason.Yes! Hell, if he would do Fallout, surely they can get him for this. They won't need him for very long...

pomeroy

11-14-2008, 04:40 PM

Yes! Hell, if he would do Fallout, surely they can get him for this. They won't need him for very long...

Good thing you spoilered that. I accidentally spoiled it at EvAv and got my head bitten off (which, for a 12 year old book, is pretty impressive).

Bone

11-14-2008, 04:41 PM

pomeroy

11-14-2008, 04:44 PM

Yeah, don't spoil anything. I think I remember that EvAv thread. For all new readers of the series, they can expect to hurl their books across the room at least twice per novel. Don't read it on the computer!

IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!

But...you're right. You can never get too attached to anything or anyone in those books (unlike WoT, where everyone always survives everything, and if they're a bad guy they'll probably just be resurrected).

DoctorFinger

11-14-2008, 04:55 PM

The boat sinks at the end of Titanic.

Stoke

11-14-2008, 05:12 PM

The boat sinks at the end of Titanic.

http://i38.tinypic.com/23hx7wj.jpg (http://i37.tinypic.com/2lkw3zq.jpg) (click)

Wedge

11-14-2008, 07:15 PM

HBO is likely to cast a bunch of unknowns from England plus actors they've already used in other series. Which is good news for Michael Anderson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0027199/). A potential Tyrion. He is too old though, but when I read the novel I pictured a younger version of this guy.

VerseD

11-14-2008, 08:30 PM

How the hell are they going to deal with that horrible wedding scene? Will they go all out and show everything? I hope so.

I want to know how they'll deal with the pregnant 13 year old.

When I read the first book, I always pictured Liam Neeson as Eddard Stark. When that doesn't actually happen, I will be sorely disappointed. For, essentially, no good reason.

Neeson is a perfect fit for Ned. I'll join you in being disappointed if he doesn't get it.

neutralism

11-15-2008, 08:19 PM

I believe the casting of Cersei Lannister will make or break this series. I'm hoping they find a new and unknown actress making her debut for the part, but if not, I am at a loss at who could handle this role perfectly...

http://i38.tinypic.com/mjlr37.jpg

pomeroy

11-15-2008, 08:26 PM

neutralism

11-15-2008, 09:40 PM

Cersei? Really? Because there's like five characters that I think matter more.

Cersei is to A Song of Ice and Fire as Al Swearengen is to Deadwood.

Tyrion is Mr. Wu.

pomeroy

11-15-2008, 11:03 PM

Cersei is to A Song of Ice and Fire as Al Swearengen is to Deadwood.

Tyrion is Mr. Wu.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/pomeroy_bucket/ScannersExplodingHead.gif

TrackZero

11-16-2008, 12:03 AM

They better not fuck it up, that's all I've got to say.

You just want all the incest scenes up there, we understand Mike. ;)

TrackZero

11-16-2008, 12:08 AM

When I read the first book, I always pictured Liam Neeson as Eddard Stark. When that doesn't actually happen, I will be sorely disappointed. For, essentially, no good reason.

Really? I all pictured Eddard as a larger build than Liam. Otherwise yeah, he's bang on.

Talanvor

11-16-2008, 12:45 AM

I haven't started Feast of Crows yet, though I do own it. I love the previous books, and I really hope that HBO can do this right because it could be truly epic.

I'm more concerned about how they're going to handle all of the rape, incest and brutality that, well, is kinda needed for the character development.

I probably should re-read the series, since I don't remember exactly everything from before. That's the problem with waiting for Martin, it's so damned long you have to go over it all again just so you remember what the hell is going on.

OrangePulp

11-16-2008, 12:59 AM

Tyrion, Jaime, than Arya are my favorite characters in order. Jaime really does have an arc, no? I love how Martin characterizes morality. The Lannister boys aren't evil, but they are right bastards.

I think the only really bad/evil thing Jaime did was throwing Bran off the roof, which, considering the circumstances, wasn't really surprising (when you know the backstory). As he says, killing the mad king really is his finest moment, since that guy had to go. The rest of the stuff he does, well, he just happens to be on a side that is considered the "bad" side, although it looks like he's moving away even from that (ignoring cersi's request, etc., not that he's much of a fighter now anyways).

And yeah, I would assume (hope?) that HBO isn't going to cut out subject matter just because it's... well, incest, rape, underage, etc., as it's all important to the story. But damn, just reading some of that stuff is intense. I wonder how it'll turn out when it's visual.

GigaFuzz

11-16-2008, 09:19 PM

I just finished reading A Feast for Crows. I can now join the rest of you in cursing Martin and impatiently awaiting A Dance With Dragons. He certainly doesn't pull any punches, and seems to like toying with us. (see Brienne and Catelyn, for example)

Some of the stuff in this series is pretty brutal. That, combined with the sheer number of characters who are all important to the plot at some point makes this a very ambitious project. I really hope they can pull it off.

Anyway, I'm off to go re-read A Game of Thrones....

Doctor Setebos

11-17-2008, 07:53 AM

Really? I all pictured Eddard as a larger build than Liam. Otherwise yeah, he's bang on.I was thinking along the lines of demeanor and look. You're right, though - Ned has to have a strong build. Liam's a bit lean. I can't actually picture Liam hefting Ice to any degree of capability. :D

Virtual Machine

11-17-2008, 08:36 PM

I was thinking along the lines of demeanor and look. You're right, though - Ned has to have a strong build. Liam's a bit lean. I can't actually picture Liam hefting Ice to any degree of capability. :D

No way - he's downright savage with a blade in the first bit of Kingdom of Heaven. Neeson is actually a pretty big fella.

And would make one hell of an amazing Neddard.

National Kato

02-05-2009, 11:37 AM

GigaFuzz

02-05-2009, 11:43 AM

AICN (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40001) reporting Peter Dinklage (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0227759/) is being considered for Tyrion's role. Good casting call, IMHO, as Dinklage is a great actor - see his performance in Death At A Funeral.

When he was mentioned earlier in the thread, he struck me as the perfect choice as well. He happens to fit my mental image of Tyrion almost perfectly.

Sandman

02-05-2009, 11:51 AM

They should have this filmed already...I wants it now.

Ink Asylum

02-05-2009, 11:52 AM

Telefrog

02-05-2009, 11:54 AM

Just start filming already!

A question to fans of the book: Would you want a tv series to follow the plot to the letter? If so, wouldn't that kill a lot of the suspense? The books are infamous for killing characters at the drop of a hat so you never know who is safe. If the TV series is basically just a televised realization of the books we would all know when and how characters die, as well as other major events. All the "What happens next?" thrill would be gone.

I don't think a sense of mystery is lacking amongst the bibliophiles seeing as Martin is taking his sweet time with the books.

Bad Buddha

02-05-2009, 11:57 AM

When he was mentioned earlier in the thread, he struck me as the perfect choice as well. He happens to fit my mental image of Tyrion almost perfectly.
Peter is actually who I had in mind as I read the books.

All of the pieces of my plan are falling into place!

Bad Buddha

02-05-2009, 12:01 PM

Just start filming already!

A question to fans of the book: Would you want a tv series to follow the plot to the letter? If so, wouldn't that kill a lot of the suspense? The books are infamous for killing characters at the drop of a hat so you never know who is safe. If the TV series is basically just a televised realization of the books we would all know when and how characters die, as well as other major events. All the "What happens next?" thrill would be gone.
I would rather they stick with the story rather than have some schlock Hollywood screenwriters rape it with a chainsaw. We've seen that happen too many times.

How many people have you talked to that saw the movie I Am Legend, but haven't read the book? They have no idea what really happened.

Let's stick to the story, PLEASE!

pomeroy

02-05-2009, 12:02 PM

Since he's not done writing it, not sticking to the story could really fuck things up later.

Widgetcraft

02-05-2009, 12:52 PM

This book fits perfectly on HBO, though, as they won't censor any of the worst parts. I can't wait to see who plays who.

Oh, we'll see... Some of the shit that happens in the books would get an X-rating, if anything. A Game of Thrones is pretty softcore, compared to the following two books (I never finished Feast because of how boring it was... I should probably get on that).

National Kato

02-05-2009, 12:54 PM

A question to fans of the book: Would you want a tv series to follow the plot to the letter? If so, wouldn't that kill a lot of the suspense?

That's a question that applies to any faithful translation of one medium to another. I wouldn't want them to change a thing.

DoctorFinger

02-05-2009, 01:00 PM

Oh, we'll see... Some of the shit that happens in the books would get an X-rating, if anything. A Game of Thrones is pretty softcore, compared to the following two books (I never finished Feast because of how boring it was... I should probably get on that).There's nothing there you wouldn't see on the Sopranos really. There's plenty of fucking and blood, but you can always film it tastefully. There's no scene where you HAVE to see penetration IIRC.

Widgetcraft

02-05-2009, 01:14 PM

There's nothing there you wouldn't see on the Sopranos really. There's plenty of fucking and blood, but you can always film it tastefully. There's no scene where you HAVE to see penetration IIRC.

The scene where The Mountain That Rides rapes a teenage bar girl in front of her parents? The scene where that noble girl is pulled off her horse and raped by a good portion of a mob? Twelve-year-old Sansa being stripped and whipped in front of her father's decapitated head?

Anything that happens in the East after Dany gets married.

Some shit is getting cut.

pomeroy

02-05-2009, 01:16 PM

Oh, man. Now I want to re-read the books. I'll have to go buy the first one, since my ex stole the book. :mad:

National Kato

02-05-2009, 01:20 PM

Some shit is getting cut.

Have you not seen HBO's Rome? I turned it on once and watched a guy fuck a slave and then the camera panned down to show his semen dripping from her vagina onto some fruit or something.

Trust me, you can allude to just about anything without showing penetration or X-rated content.

pomeroy

02-05-2009, 01:22 PM

and then the camera panned down to show his semen dripping from her vagina onto some fruit or something.

It's symbolic, see. ;)

Bone

02-05-2009, 02:37 PM

The scene where The Mountain That Rides rapes a teenage bar girl in front of her parents? The scene where that noble girl is pulled off her horse and raped by a good portion of a mob? Twelve-year-old Sansa being stripped and whipped in front of her father's decapitated head?

Anything that happens in the East after Dany gets married.

Some shit is getting cut.

I think until you mentioned Dani's wedding, I could think of ways a good director could film those scenes menacingly without showing everything. Also, the Red Wedding will be pretty damn brutal.

But honestly I think it will be tamer shit, like the Lannister siblings casually fucking each other, that will piss people off in the long run. Now I just have to go back and read it again because the wonderfully gory details are fading. And because GRRM will finish a book this year (I'm counting on the force of my mind bullets here).

pomeroy

02-05-2009, 02:39 PM

(I'm counting on the force of my mind bullets here).

That's telekinesis, Kyle.

DoctorFinger

02-05-2009, 02:41 PM

The scene where The Mountain That Rides rapes a teenage bar girl in front of her parents? The scene where that noble girl is pulled off her horse and raped by a good portion of a mob? Twelve-year-old Sansa being stripped and whipped in front of her father's decapitated head?

Anything that happens in the East after Dany gets married.

Some shit is getting cut.The more I think about it, the more I think you may be right in one regard: the underaged characters. Remember, by the most recent book Sansa is still (I think) only about 14-15.

Most of the other acts you mentioned can be done off camera (the Lady Lackwit stuff isn't shown on page in the book, only spoken about afterwards) but the amount of things done to people we'd consider minors is pretty horiffic. I'd be they're all aged upwards, so Sansa for example is 18 at the start of the show.

Bone

02-05-2009, 02:53 PM

That's telekinesis, Kyle.

And THAT'S fuckin' teamwork!

National Kato

02-05-2009, 02:54 PM

The more I think about it, the more I think you may be right in one regard: the underaged characters. Remember, by the most recent book Sansa is still (I think) only about 14-15.

Film has dealt with this in the past by having the actor playing the underage character be of age - or in some cases (see Dakota Fanning in Hounddog (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0125074hounddog1.html)), just by making sure all nudity of explicit imagery is offscreen. The fact that bad shit happens to underage characters isn't an automatic cut, especially for HBO. Hounddog's scene is still fucking unsettling, as was the scene in Happiness (Todd Solondz) where the father sexually molests his son's friend during a sleepover.

DoctorFinger

02-05-2009, 03:02 PM

That's what I mean. Tyrion getting some will (probably) be shown. Sansa getting whipped probably won't.

National Kato

02-05-2009, 03:10 PM

Sansa getting whipped probably won't.

Right. The scene will still be there and the power will come from hearing her get whipped and then seeing her scarred back afterwards. Much like how test audiences helped Tarantino decide that not showing Officer Marvin Nash's ear getting cut off was worse than showing it.

Codicier

02-05-2009, 03:19 PM

Have you not seen HBO's Rome? I turned it on once and watched a guy fuck a slave and then the camera panned down to show his semen dripping from her vagina onto some fruit or something.

Trust me, you can allude to just about anything without showing penetration or X-rated content.

Hold on, I've got both seasons of Rome and I don't remember that scene. When did that happen?

National Kato

02-05-2009, 03:23 PM

Hold on, I've got both seasons of Rome and I don't remember that scene. When did that happen?

I'm not sure. I just saw it once while flipping through channels. One of the main guys has sex with his brunette slave girl downstairs in the kitchen/food prep area, unbeknownst to his wife. She liked to be slapped around, apparently. Once they're done, there's a shot of semen dripping into a bowl of fruit - or maybe it was a bowl of something else food-ish.

My first view of HBO's Oz was Chris Meloni snapping a guy's neck while receiving oral sex, so I wasn't surprised to see HBO keeping up with the shock factor. :D

ZephidsEmbrace

02-05-2009, 04:01 PM

I'm not sure. I just saw it once while flipping through channels. One of the main guys has sex with his brunette slave girl downstairs in the kitchen/food prep area, unbeknownst to his wife. She liked to be slapped around, apparently. Once they're done, there's a shot of semen dripping into a bowl of fruit - or maybe it was a bowl of something else food-ish.

My first view of HBO's Oz was Chris Meloni snapping a guy's neck while receiving oral sex, so I wasn't surprised to see HBO keeping up with the shock factor. :D
So, that first part, there...okay, sure, stopping on that, great. That second one...dude, you stop on some really suspect shit :p

All joking aside, though, I have faith in HBO. I'm not one of those people that thinks books should be translated exactly between presentational mediums, so I don't expect everything to be perfect. I do, however, expect them to remain true to the books such that even when they miss something, they engineer some way to go back and revisit it to make sure it's included in the story.

If it's anything like the oh-so-horrible "Legends of the Seeker" shit (what a cop-out), HBO will forever lose my faith.

Bone

02-05-2009, 04:06 PM

I have great faith. But there is a lot of material to cover, even with the planned season per book. Still, a slightly abridged Ice and Fire, done with respect, is still going to be one of the best things ever.

Hemalin

02-05-2009, 04:14 PM

The more I think about it, the more I think you may be right in one regard: the underaged characters. Remember, by the most recent book Sansa is still (I think) only about 14-15.

Most of the other acts you mentioned can be done off camera (the Lady Lackwit stuff isn't shown on page in the book, only spoken about afterwards) but the amount of things done to people we'd consider minors is pretty horiffic. I'd be they're all aged upwards, so Sansa for example is 18 at the start of the show.
In the pilot script (http://winter-is-coming.blogspot.com/2008/12/winter-is-comings-exclusive-pilot.html) they did change some ages but only by a year or two.
A few more details I found interesting. Regarding ages, Jon and Robb are listed as 17 in the script, Sansa as 13, Arya 11 and Bran as 8, Dany is listed as 15. All the other children seemed to be the same age as in the books.

Bone

02-05-2009, 04:16 PM

I think if you don't outright state their ages, you could just use actors of legal age who could pass for younger. It serves the story and keeps the fanboys from raging :)

Widgetcraft

02-05-2009, 04:18 PM

Also, the Red Wedding will be pretty damn brutal.

That was one of those moments where I wanted to dropkick the book out my window. "FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

The epilogue to that book was creepy as fuck.

Bone

02-05-2009, 04:28 PM

Yeah. That one almost did it for me. Those books make me physically ill, and yet I can't wait for more.

BlackPete

02-05-2009, 04:40 PM

Oh, we'll see... Some of the shit that happens in the books would get an X-rating, if anything. A Game of Thrones is pretty softcore, compared to the following two books (I never finished Feast because of how boring it was... I should probably get on that).

Deadwood and Rome both had pretty intense scenes. Someone already mentioned Rome, but in Deadwood, Al pretty regularly gives a political speech while getting a blowjob. At the end of one of them, you can clearly see that the whore's mouth was wet.

If there's anything to be worried about regarding HBO, it's that they might cancel this before it finishes. :(

pomeroy

02-05-2009, 04:43 PM

Deadwood finished, though. The ending works surprisingly well.

Carnivale, on the other hand...

BlackPete

02-05-2009, 09:11 PM

Deadwood finished, though. The ending works surprisingly well.

Carnivale, on the other hand...

Well... about Deadwood, yes and no. It had "a" ending, but it didn't end the way the show producers and writers wanted to. They were expecting another season, and when that wasn't going to happen, then there was going to be a Deadwood movie to wrap it all up (up to Al's death I imagine), but then the movie got canned as well, AFAIK.

pomeroy

02-06-2009, 12:35 AM

As an ending, it still works though. It's not hard to imagine what would have happened, and I'm fine with how they ended it.

Disgustipated

02-06-2009, 01:50 AM

So excited for this, but moreso for the next books. These are just classic, classic books.

Bingley Joe

02-06-2009, 07:15 AM

Carnivale, on the other hand...

Oh man... Carnivale probably has more loose ends than any show that has ever been cancelled in the history of TV.

That said, every time I re-watch it, I kinda like how truly bleak and epic that would be if it really was intended to be the ending. I mean.. DAMN!

Virtual Machine

02-06-2009, 08:38 AM

Well... about Deadwood, yes and no. It had "a" ending, but it didn't end the way the show producers and writers wanted to. They were expecting another season, and when that wasn't going to happen, then there was going to be a Deadwood movie to wrap it all up (up to Al's death I imagine), but then the movie got canned as well, AFAIK.

Deadwood wasn't actually killed by HBO, it was killed by David Milch, the show-runner, producer, and head writer. He just got bored with it and had written himself into a corner.

He had become obsessed with his John from suck-cinatti idea.

I'm really looking forward to this one. I recall hearing that the plan was 13 episode seasons to coincide with each book in the series. That makes for what? 5? 6 years?

Stoke

02-06-2009, 05:38 PM

I'm really looking forward to this one. I recall hearing that the plan was 13 episode seasons to coincide with each book in the series. That makes for what? 5? 6 years?

Possibly, it won't follow the books all the way though unless they take a break when they catch up. There's no way Martin is going to finish 5, 6, and 7 in time.

BlackPete

02-06-2009, 05:48 PM

As an ending, it still works though. It's not hard to imagine what would have happened, and I'm fine with how they ended it.

No need to imagine it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Swearengen)

The Gem Saloon burned down twice, with the church being suspected for the last fire. Now THAT would've been a badass season.

BlackPete

02-06-2009, 05:49 PM

Possibly, it won't follow the books all the way though unless they take a break when they catch up. There's no way Martin is going to finish 5, 6, and 7 in time.

Hell... I wonder if he'll even finish A Dance With Dragons by then. He must be having one hell of a writer's block right now.

Bone

02-06-2009, 06:05 PM

Hell... I wonder if he'll even finish A Dance With Dragons by then. He must be having one hell of a writer's block right now.

As someone on another forum put it, he's got too many pokers in the fire. He's working closely with the HBO team, he's approving merchandise of all sorts (swords, statues, etc), there was a PNP RPG, his other book editing projects, and all the conventions he goes to for fan worship.

Can't say I blame him, sounds like a fun life- but I really hope he finishes this series.

Widgetcraft

02-06-2009, 06:06 PM

Hell... I wonder if he'll even finish A Dance With Dragons by then. He must be having one hell of a writer's block right now.

Who knows what the fuck that guy is doing... It was supposed to have been written and done when he published the last one, because the last book was going to be twice the size it was and half of the chapters were cut out.

Stoke

02-06-2009, 06:17 PM

Virtual Machine

02-06-2009, 09:34 PM

I have the screenplay for the first episode if anyone is interested. It was rather amazing i must say.

Nuggsy

02-06-2009, 09:48 PM

I've read the pilot script too. . .and I'm not so certain. It's a little rough, so I'm hoping that it's an early draft. I'd like to think that it's such a big investment that if HBO likes the pilot then they'll commit to every season. We'll see if Martin can finish the books before going teets up.

PathMaster

02-08-2009, 01:37 PM

All this talk has made me anxious to reread the books I have. I hate you all.

GigaFuzz

02-08-2009, 03:07 PM

All this talk has made me anxious to reread the books I have. I hate you all.

As soon as I finished A Feast For Crows I went straight back to the beginning again. I'm back up to Book 3 Part 2 again now, so I'll have to dip into my pile of unread books soon.

evilgoodwin

02-08-2009, 03:41 PM

I think Jake Lloyd should be Joffrey. That kid really just brings out the worst in me.

Both of them, actually, but oh well (and this isn't about Star Wars. This is about Jingle All the Way where he's basically a selfish little prick the entire movie. The movie still sucked, but he didn't help :P)

Bone

02-08-2009, 04:24 PM

That would be awesome. There are few child actors I wish harm upon, and he is one.

Stoke

02-08-2009, 05:26 PM

tombofsoldier

02-08-2009, 06:00 PM

GigaFuzz

02-08-2009, 06:09 PM

Hemalin

02-08-2009, 10:40 PM

In addition, the first three books are supposed to take place over the course of at least two years. I seem to recall the trip from Winterfell to King's Landing to take about a month. The actors aging shouldn't be too much of a problem.

BlackPete

02-09-2009, 12:16 AM

As someone on another forum put it, he's got too many pokers in the fire. He's working closely with the HBO team, he's approving merchandise of all sorts (swords, statues, etc), there was a PNP RPG, his other book editing projects, and all the conventions he goes to for fan worship.

Can't say I blame him, sounds like a fun life- but I really hope he finishes this series.

Who knows what the fuck that guy is doing... It was supposed to have been written and done when he published the last one, because the last book was going to be twice the size it was and half of the chapters were cut out.

Heretic pretty much replied to Bone's point -- while GRRM may have a lot of stuff to juggle with right now (and still adding more juggling balls every day it seems.. argh!) -- this was supposed to be a single book that got split into two because it was getting too big and unwieldly. So they were supposed to come out one right after the other, but now it's been like over 2 years.

This does not give me much hope as GRRM looks pretty unhealthy so I wouldn't be surprised if he croaks before the series is done. :(

Borthcollective

02-09-2009, 06:24 AM

Maybe he's finishing all three before releasing the 5th book. Or maybe he's getting blown by fans every 25 minutes on the dot.

DoctorFinger

02-09-2009, 07:42 AM

The real problem with this would be keeping all the kids the right age through the seasons. They'd have to film more than 1 season a year just to make sure whoever's playing Jauffrey, Sansa, ect. don't end up being like 16 when they're supposed to be 12 or something.

In addition, the first three books are supposed to take place over the course of at least two years. I seem to recall the trip from Winterfell to King's Landing to take about a month. The actors aging shouldn't be too much of a problem.I read an interview once where GRRM said the series will span about 12-15 years of character time, so even the baby will be an adult by the end.

Spigot

02-09-2009, 01:43 PM

I read an interview once where GRRM said the series will span about 12-15 years of character time, so even the baby will be an adult by the end.A Feast For Crows sure felt like it took about that long to read. I love the series but damn if that book didn't drag. I could have skipped most of the middle 600 pages...

pomeroy

02-09-2009, 02:04 PM

A Feast For Crows sure felt like it took about that long to read. I love the series but damn if that book didn't drag. I could have skipped most of the middle 600 pages...

It's comments like these that have me skittish about that book. I picked it up when it was in paperback, but I haven't attempted to read it. I heard all my favorite characters aren't in it. :(

National Kato

02-09-2009, 02:10 PM

I heard all my favorite characters aren't in it.

That's only because they're dead. :D

pomeroy

02-09-2009, 02:12 PM

That's only because they're dead. :D

Fair enough. I'll always remember that the character I thought would be the main character for the series got iced in the first book. I was just dumbfounded, but it was refreshing to know that no character was safe (I'm looking at you, Wheel of Time).

DoctorFinger

02-09-2009, 02:29 PM

A Feast for Crows is good, but you feel the lack of 'name' characters. However, the ones you do get make up for the lack. The twists and turns in the plot are awesome.

Spigot

02-09-2009, 02:29 PM

It's comments like these that have me skittish about that book. I picked it up when it was in paperback, but I haven't attempted to read it. I heard all my favorite characters aren't in it. :(That was a big problem that I had with the book, more than anything. There are some good stories in Feast For Crows but when the cast of characters that are in it are more or less the B-team of the saga... Suffice it to say that it was hard not to keep wishing for Tyrion or SOMEONE interesting to show up.

Plus far too much time was spent in a walking tour of the kingdoms, which just threw the pacing off. It was a book that just seemed to really need an editor to chop off several swaths of prose... much like this post.

It would be interesting, once A Dance With Dragons comes out, to see if some enterprising fan would cobble together an ultimate version of the two books that mushed the content together. A Feast For Crows spent the first quarter of the book basically dealing with the aftermath of the first three books and the last quarter setting things up for some really interesting plotlines... unfortunately there was the middle half of the book that really, really dragged.

I'm someone who bought the hardcover the day it came out and could barely make it past the first few chapters. I tried reading it about 5 times and ended up buying the paperback just to have something I could carry around with me a little easier.

BlackPete

02-09-2009, 09:23 PM

Fair enough. I'll always remember that the character I thought would be the main character for the series got iced in the first book. I was just dumbfounded, but it was refreshing to know that no character was safe (I'm looking at you, Wheel of Time).

Indeed, that was my favorite thing about the whole series. Once it was clearly established that no character is safe (and in fact may meet a fate worse than death), the suspense level just skyrocketed while reading these books. And I loved it.

I just hope that GRRM doesn't pull a Robert Jordon. In more ways than one.

Widgetcraft

02-09-2009, 09:31 PM

I'm someone who bought the hardcover the day it came out and could barely make it past the first few chapters. I tried reading it about 5 times and ended up buying the paperback just to have something I could carry around with me a little easier.

I bought two copies and had them signed by Martin. Of all of the books in the series... it had to be that one :(

Nuggsy

02-14-2009, 10:15 PM

Stoke

02-14-2009, 10:33 PM

He just needs to get off his ass and write. Period. He does nothing on his blog but blather on about football and appearances, etc. I can't fault him too much for reprinting and republishing all of his old stuff - you gotta strike while the iron is hot - but anytime that he is watching a football game, or traveling, that bastard needs to be writing.

Every time I read his blog I can't help but think the lives of my favorite characters ride on the outcome of the Giant's games. I don't expect any of them to be in the 6th book after this season.

Doctor Setebos

02-19-2009, 07:13 PM

New post on his blog regarding Dance with Dragons (http://grrm.livejournal.com/74995.html). He plans to have it completed by JUNE! Which would get it out by September or October.

Yes, I am aware that I have previously said that I hoped to finish by the end of 2008. And before that, I said that I hoped to finish by June 2008, before I went to Spain and Portugal. And before that, I said I hoped to finish by the end of 2007. I know, I know, I know. No, I was not lying. I was wrong. And wrong again. And wrong before that. This time I hope that I am right. But you know, I can't swear that in blood. I write one chapter at a time. One page at a time. One word at a time. And then the next.

Whoo-hoo!

Arilin

02-19-2009, 08:04 PM

I hope, but I take this with a HUGE grain of salt. June in Martin time is like June 2011. I truly enjoy the work, I love the books but I hate the wait :P

TrackZero

02-19-2009, 08:09 PM

This time I hope that I am right. But you know, I can't swear that in blood. I write one chapter at a time. One page at a time. One word at a time. And then the next.

No, you apparently write part of a chapter at a time, then go off on vacation for a few months, come back and finish that one chapter.....

Stoke

02-19-2009, 09:49 PM

No, you apparently write part of a chapter at a time, then go off on vacation for a few months, come back and finish that one chapter.....

And then delete it after a few days of thinking only to start again after another vacation. :(

Finishing in June wouldn't be bad, it would be nice if it could have come out this summer though as I'd have plenty of reading time then. This fall's going to put it right in the busiest time of the year.

BlackPete

02-19-2009, 11:08 PM

Huh that bit about Sansa not appearing in Dance kinda worries me. I just hope that he doesn't skip on too many main name characters this time!

I think he needs to get serious about killing off a LOT more characters to bring the story back down so that he can fit everyone into a single book again.

EDIT: Hah! I saw he has a new blog up today (http://grrm.livejournal.com/75053.html) addressing his detractors:

After all, as some of you like to point out in your emails, I am sixty years old and fat, and you don't want me to "pull a Robert Jordan" on you and deny you your book.

Okay, I've got the message. You don't want me doing anything except A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. Ever. (Well, maybe it's okay if I take a leak once in a while?)

Errr.... whoops. Did he read my post here about him pulling a Robert Jordan? Surely not... right? :o

Philonious

02-19-2009, 11:47 PM

Everyone can look on the brightside and hope that HBO pulls a Dexter... The Showtime series is way, WAY better than the silly books. We can't really expect EVERYTHING to be covered in 13 episode seasons, but hopefully the get the major points across. (I haven't touched the series since the third book... I didn't want to get Jordaned.)

Anyone else think that GRRM is a bit of a perv for his constant sexualizing of minors? If he gets TOO much creative input this could end up being one creeepy ass show.

TrackZero

02-20-2009, 05:50 AM

Okay, I've got the message. You don't want me doing anything except A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. Ever. (Well, maybe it's okay if I take a leak once in a while?)

Pretty much, yeah. Or finish the series and then go on as many vacations as you want.

Spigot

02-20-2009, 06:26 AM

Pretty much, yeah. Or finish the series and then go on as many vacations as you want.That's basically it. If you have your grand epic that has you up there in the pantheon of awesome fantasy authors, at least try to finish the damnable thing instead of farting around everywhere.

ESP. when you were talking about essentially having Dance finished years ago.

I don't have a problem with Martin working on something else or taking some time off but when you had a book that was almost done (in his words) 2 years ago and still haven't been able to wrap it up, it gets a little aggravating. I don't want it to be a Wheel Of Time kind of thing where he just cranks it out for 30 volumes, but finish the book you were almost finished at the very least!

DoctorFinger

02-20-2009, 08:02 AM

Anyone else think that GRRM is a bit of a perv for his constant sexualizing of minors? If he gets TOO much creative input this could end up being one creeepy ass show.He's writing about a place which is like Dark Ages/Middle Ages Europe, and at those times these practices were commonplace. They're creepy to us, but in those times the minute a girl got her period, she was considered of marrying age and therefore a woman. There are documented cases of infant girls being married to senior citizens to cement alliances and successions. GRRM doesn't dance around this fact like most fantasy authors do.

Doctor Setebos

02-20-2009, 08:20 AM

Huh that bit about Sansa not appearing in Dance kinda worries me. I just hope that he doesn't skip on too many main name characters this time! The part that really worries me is that he's already talking about pushing content into yet another book! I know he already had it planned, but it just reminds me that DANCE doesn't end the series. We still have a longer wait for that book, and then another 3-4 years for the last book.

My prediction: George will die before finishing the last book. :(

EDIT: dammit! I just remembered SPRING! There's still THREE MORE BOOKS! Grrrrrrrrrr.

DoctorFinger

02-20-2009, 08:41 AM

At least 3 more books. I hate to say it, but odds are he won't be alive to see the series end. I don't begrudge him his vacations and conventions, I wish more people would enjoy the lives they have instead of killing themselves to satisfy the needs of people they've never met, but the selfish part of me just wants to read the rest of the series NOW!

Bone

02-20-2009, 10:09 AM

Anyone else think that GRRM is a bit of a perv for his constant sexualizing of minors? If he gets TOO much creative input this could end up being one creeepy ass show.As someone else said, I think he fearlessly allows himself to imagine what things were really like in those days. It's part of what really works well in his fiction.

cassiusregicide

02-20-2009, 10:17 AM

The part that really worries me is that he's already talking about pushing content into yet another book! I know he already had it planned, but it just reminds me that DANCE doesn't end the series. We still have a longer wait for that book, and then another 3-4 years for the last book.

My prediction: George will die before finishing the last book. :(

EDIT: dammit! I just remembered SPRING! There's still THREE MORE BOOKS! Grrrrrrrrrr.

Yeah, and I find it unlikely that he has the copious notes that Robert Jordan had so that another author could finish the series posthumously. I've given up on seeing any more SoFaI books, and any that I get will be a nice present.

Philonious

02-20-2009, 02:53 PM

He's writing about a place which is like Dark Ages/Middle Ages Europe, and at those times these practices were commonplace.

For sure. But there is a difference between writing about marrying a 13yo off to an older man and writing about a 13yo's breasts and her sexual experiences. Dude is a little pervy, he still writes good books though. The breast feeding thing was pretty weird too.

Bone

02-20-2009, 03:30 PM

BlackPete

02-20-2009, 03:34 PM

I think it's easy to "say" someone too young was married off to an older man. Seems like you have to experience the graphic nature of what this means to really be disgusted by it. And by your reaction, this seems to hold true.

Yep, without the graphic description, 13 becomes just a number on a page.

I actually think that's a big part of why GRRM is such a good writer -- he uses graphic description where necessary, but then cuts off at the worst part and leaves it up to your imagination. Very effective way of storytelling.

Bone

02-20-2009, 03:39 PM

Yeah, my stomach crawled many times, and when the girls come into their own, I really cheered for them. Especially Arya... she is so fucking kickass.

evilgoodwin

03-06-2009, 03:09 PM

Amazon had A Dance With Dragons up on my front page reccomendations. Says it'll be out September 29, 2009 o_O

Also has a little excerpt/preview which is nice to see after so long of a drought :)

Link (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553801473/ref=s9_intb_c2_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0JAGWMPJTAEEASD1JS15&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846)

Bone

03-06-2009, 03:23 PM

evilgoodwin

03-06-2009, 03:32 PM

You bastard, I hoped to get a little hit of GRRM crack... it's the same sample story posted on his site :)

Sorry?

I haven't been to his site because I don't want to get irate at him farting around not writing :)

Bone

03-06-2009, 03:38 PM

It's really not your fault, I just got my hopes up.

Stoke

04-23-2009, 01:49 PM

A few days old but Martin has posted an update (http://grrm.livejournal.com/84893.html).

The news has finally been made public, so I'm finally free to whoop and holler and share the great news -- the HBO pilot of A GAME OF THRONES will start filming in October, in Northern Ireland.

Hopefully now we'll start getting more consistent updates about how it's coming along. An October start for filming will probably mean at least winter 2010 before we see it though, more likely 2011.

Sandman

04-23-2009, 01:56 PM

Hell yes. I want cast and other info now.

Sandman

04-23-2009, 02:27 PM

Wedge

04-23-2009, 02:48 PM

Wooooo, pilot!

Stoke

04-23-2009, 03:08 PM

Also....two things come to mind.

1) After the whole Kings debacle I can't express how happy I am that this is on HBO.

2) Now that Kings is done was it in time to get Ian McShane committed to some role in this....any role.

Agree on 1, disagree on 2. I can't really think of a role he could fill off the top of my head without reshaping himself. He's either too old or to "soft."

ShivaX

04-24-2009, 01:09 AM

Agree on 1, disagree on 2. I can't really think of a role he could fill off the top of my head without reshaping himself. He's either too old or to "soft."

Theres a few but probably not any of the major ones.

He could probably pull off Balon Greyjoy.

DarkDay

04-24-2009, 01:19 AM

Thoughts, cool I say, if its good ill watch, if not I wont, I win either way, only the haters loose, but they loose regardless.

BlackPete

04-24-2009, 02:03 AM

This is the first time I've heard Ian McShane being called "soft". He can be quite a scary guy if he wants to.

Actually, he could probably pull off a pretty good Ned Stark, but I see him more as a villianous type of guy.

Borthcollective

04-24-2009, 06:21 AM

All you have to do is scar his face up some and he can be the Hound.

Stoke

04-24-2009, 12:55 PM

Well by "soft" I really meant flabby. :p

DoctorFinger

04-24-2009, 01:37 PM

Too bad the guy who played Longshanks in Braveheart (name?) is dead, he's be a spot on Lannister.

BlackPete

04-24-2009, 02:29 PM

Too bad the guy who played Longshanks in Braveheart (name?) is dead, he's be a spot on Lannister.

I hope you meant Tywin :p

Hmm yeah he does look the part. Just, please, anyone but Michael Gambon. Or Ian McKellen while we're at it.

I've also heard Malcolm McDowell being suggested for the role. I can't decide whether that's a brilliant or a fucking stupid suggestion.

DoctorFinger

04-24-2009, 04:07 PM

Fact is, HBO will get - at most - one actor whom we know. That's how they work. One "name", with a mostly unknown, but talented, ensemble.

pomeroy

04-24-2009, 05:10 PM

Fact is, HBO will get - at most - one actor whom we know. That's how they work. One "name", with a mostly unknown, but talented, ensemble.

Big Love has quite a few "names" in it.

BlackPete

04-24-2009, 06:57 PM

I do prefer it when HBO hires a bunch of unknown actors who turned out to be amazing. That way, I enjoy the show for what it is, instead of who's in it.

While watching Carnivale, it took me a while to stop seeing the dwarf as, "Hey, it's that weird singing dwarf from Twin Peaks!"

Deadwood was awesome because I hadn't heard of anyone on it before (except for Brad Dourif, but he didn't have much screen time, so in the end it balanced out pretty well.)

Rome was awesome... once again I was blown away by the acting skills, especially the older Octavian actor, as they made the place seem so real.

Anyway, enough fanboy gushing from me :)

bryan

04-24-2009, 09:53 PM

DoctorFinger

04-24-2009, 10:15 PM

Big Love has quite a few "names" in it.
I'll give you that one, but look at Sopranos, The Wire, Oz. The actors in those shows were mostly unknowns when they debuted, and I'd bet they go that route for this show.

BlackPete

04-24-2009, 10:39 PM

I have insanely high hopes for this. And I think HBO is the only place it would have worked, plus I'm sure they know how much of a juggernaut property they have on their hands so they'll do it justice.

What scares me tho is I see so much love here for Deadwood and Rome, but both got canceled, is that right?

Rome was basically finished. Deadwood got cancelled at a relatively quiet time in the main story so I can forgive them for that.

Carnivale on the other hand...

Borthcollective

04-25-2009, 06:00 AM

I have insanely high hopes for this. And I think HBO is the only place it would have worked, plus I'm sure they know how much of a juggernaut property they have on their hands so they'll do it justice.

What scares me tho is I see so much love here for Deadwood and Rome, but both got canceled, is that right?

You are going to find a lot of love around here for cancelled shows. Only the good ones get cancelled. Enjoy your desperate housewives and medium while Chuck and Reaper get the boot.

bryan

04-25-2009, 07:18 AM

Chuck was pretty cool, but Reaper was a bit chintzy and cheap.

Stoke

04-25-2009, 08:27 AM

Reaper got canceled? :(

Borthcollective

04-25-2009, 08:28 AM

Chuck was pretty cool, but Reaper was a bit chintzy and cheap.

A pox be upon you. The writing is awesome on Reaper. It's fun where other shows won't let themselves be.

Borthcollective

04-25-2009, 08:28 AM

Reaper got canceled? :(

The current rumor is it was cancelled before this season aired.

Ink Asylum

04-25-2009, 08:30 AM

DoctorFinger

04-25-2009, 08:55 AM

Firefly, Dead Like Me, The Dresden Files.... only the good die young. It's such a catch-22. I want to avoid watching a show until I know it's not going to be canceled early, but the more people that do that the more likely it is to be canceled.To be fair, Lost, BSG, Eureka and Stargate all had/have pretty good runs. Sci-fi shows really have the same success rate as any other genre.

PathMaster

04-25-2009, 05:56 PM

Well, at least we got to the point where filming can begin. Hopefully this bodes well for fans.

Disgustipated

04-26-2009, 02:28 AM

Wow, this is forever away.

We'll probably get this before we get the new book, though. Fucking Martin, he must write about a paragraph/day.

bryan

04-26-2009, 07:19 AM

A pox be upon you. The writing is awesome on Reaper. It's fun where other shows won't let themselves be.

Sorry, maybe I judge it too harshly based on the effects. It really puts me off.

BlackPete

04-26-2009, 11:18 PM

Reaper got cancelled? Dammit, I like that show. It pokes fun at itself, and it's rare for a show to do that these days.

Philonious

04-26-2009, 11:24 PM

Chuck got canceled?

ShivaX

04-27-2009, 01:49 AM

Wow, this is forever away.

We'll probably get this before we get the new book, though. Fucking Martin, he must write about a paragraph/day.

You mean the book that was "already written" when the last one came out?

Thats the real kick in the balls. He goes on and on about how his book was too huge to release as one book, so they split it into two. So basically the next two books were already written. So the first book comes out and then... well we're on 4 years for a book thats supposedly been done for that whole time.

evilgoodwin

04-27-2009, 08:37 PM

I wish he'd hurry up. I'm starting to forget everything that's happened ><

pomeroy

04-27-2009, 11:24 PM

I wish he'd hurry up. I'm starting to forget everything that's happened ><

I haven't even touched "A Feast for Crows." I was about to, but then heard all the "he split the book in two" and I was all "Neat, I'll just wait for part two!"

I'm still waiting.

bryan

04-27-2009, 11:58 PM

I wish he'd hurry up. I'm starting to forget everything that's happened ><

Starting to forget? The only thing I remember is that I'm a big fan of the series, and that's about it.

ShivaX

04-28-2009, 02:19 AM

Starting to forget? The only thing I remember is that I'm a big fan of the series, and that's about it.

Tyrion is cool. And theres dragons or something. And um... Jon Snow.

Thats about where I'm at on the memory end of it all at this point.

National Kato

04-28-2009, 08:18 AM

Catapulting naked bodies into the river. Please, HBO, show this scene in its entirety. ;)

Bone

04-28-2009, 08:46 AM

You mean the book that was "already written" when the last one came out?

Thats the real kick in the balls. He goes on and on about how his book was too huge to release as one book, so they split it into two. So basically the next two books were already written. So the first book comes out and then... well we're on 4 years for a book thats supposedly been done for that whole time.

I don't know if you've ever written anything, but editing (and the re-writing that can come with it) can take as long or longer as the original writing. If he wants to take longer to make sure the next book holds up to the same quality as the others, I won't fault him for it. He doesn't owe me jack shit; as an artist he owes himself the best work he can produce.

cassiusregicide

04-28-2009, 09:51 AM

I don't know if you've ever written anything, but editing (and the re-writing that can come with it) can take as long or longer as the original writing. If he wants to take longer to make sure the next book holds up to the same quality as the others, I won't fault him for it. He doesn't owe me jack shit; as an artist he owes himself the best work he can produce.

That's true, but if you read his blog, he spends a great amount of time editing other peoples books. It's hard for me to believe that he's giving the proper focus to his own series when he is working on so many other projects. If you look on his bibliography page, he's edited eight other books since 2006.

Bone

04-28-2009, 11:20 AM

I agree, I want him to drop his other projects and finish this. Still- if that's what he enjoys doing, more power to him.

Doctor Setebos

05-06-2009, 12:29 PM

NoName

05-06-2009, 12:32 PM

I haven't found a confirmed source, but there's some chatter on Twitter that Peter Dinklage has been cast for the show. Likely as Tyrion.

EDIT: and here's the confirmation (http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSTRE5450RO20090506).

I approve of this.

If this series doesn't make it past the pilot or is canned half way through I think I'm going to cry. There's so much win to be had it's scary.

Bone

05-06-2009, 12:46 PM

*happy dance*

Cast Eddard well, and I will be so elated. Come to think of it, Jon and the daughters are some of the most important casting decisions too.

Borthcollective

05-06-2009, 01:18 PM

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001758/ is my pick for Littlefinger.

shunoshi

05-07-2009, 11:57 AM

National Kato

05-07-2009, 02:31 PM

I had hoped (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=171589&postcount=61) it would be true. So glad it is!

ShivaX

05-07-2009, 03:01 PM

I haven't found a confirmed source, but there's some chatter on Twitter that Peter Dinklage has been cast for the show. Likely as Tyrion.

EDIT: and here's the confirmation (http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSTRE5450RO20090506).

Good. Dinklage is perfect and a damn fine fucking actor. I don't think I'd want anyone else in role.
And if it goes long enough he can do fight scenes believably if Prince Caspian is any indication (no offense to other dwarf actors, but sometimes it just looks bad and unbelievable).

Bone

05-07-2009, 03:33 PM

I just can't wait to see... his nose chopped off!Really though, his character arc is my favorite in the books so far, with Arya a close second.

GigaFuzz

05-07-2009, 05:50 PM

Really though, his character arc is my favorite in the books so far, with Arya a close second.

Indeed, despite being a Lannister, he's one my favourite characters. Along with Jon and Arya, I think.

BlackPete

05-07-2009, 06:03 PM

Peter Dinklage is perfect as Tyrion. He's proven his acting chops already yet still isn't too famous (yet).

It'll be interesting to see who they cast as Cersei Lannister. Polly Walker would've been a great choice, but she was already in Rome so she's out. :(

pomeroy

05-07-2009, 06:04 PM

I'm a big fan of Catelyn Stark.

Borthcollective

05-07-2009, 09:03 PM

Jon, Eddard, and Dany.

Stoke

05-07-2009, 09:25 PM

I'm a big fan of Catelyn Stark.

Really? I always found her chapters to be kind of dull when she wasn't giving a third person perspective for Robb. I remember wishing Martin would get rid of her chapters and just give Robb his own. Arya, Jon, Bran, and Tyrion have been my favorites, I always look ahead to see how long it will take me to get to their next chapter.

pomeroy

05-08-2009, 12:19 AM

Really? I always found her chapters to be kind of dull when she wasn't giving a third person perspective for Robb. I remember wishing Martin would get rid of her chapters and just give Robb his own. Arya, Jon, Bran, and Tyrion have been my favorites, I always look ahead to see how long it will take me to get to their next chapter.

I'm more a fan of how awesome she is now, to be honest. The end of the third book sort of blew my mind.

Ink Asylum

05-08-2009, 08:16 AM

It'll be interesting to see who they cast as Cersei Lannister. Polly Walker would've been a great choice, but she was already in Rome so she's out. :(

Why would that matter?

Doctor Setebos

05-08-2009, 08:18 AM

Stoke

05-08-2009, 09:25 AM

I'm more a fan of how awesome she is now, to be honest. The end of the third book sort of blew my mind.

No kidding! And I'm 3/4ths of the way through the 4th book, and they haven't even gone back to that yet! :(

Damnit. It's been so long since I read the books that I have no idea what you guys are talking about. :mad: I'll just assume she starts kicking ass or something to give me something to look forward to when I read them again when Dance is released.

ShivaX

05-08-2009, 10:32 AM

Damnit. It's been so long since I read the books that I have no idea what you guys are talking about. :mad: I'll just assume she starts kicking ass or something to give me something to look forward to when I read them again when Dance is released.

I'm not sure how you could forget that. It was a pretty unique situation.

DoctorFinger

07-20-2009, 07:19 AM

More BIG casting news.

Ned Stark has been cast (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i7c23ccda60974aa2d32ba129f8a3b6bf). Sean Bean (aka Boromir) will be playing Ned Stark in the HBO series.

Also cast:
Mark Addy (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004692/) as King Robert
Kit Harrington as Jon Snow
Harry Lloyd (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0516003/) as Viserys.
Jack Gleeson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0322416/) as Prince Joffrey

Peter Dinklage (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Fname%2Fnm0227759%2 F&ei=vG5kSo-VO-STtgfExuT-Dw&usg=AFQjCNE6PiPlEL4T4JEIsHbiBgWC10vSAQ&sig2=teyqknfBODmtQgc5EYM31Q) was cast as Tyrion Lannister several months back.

The pilot begins shooting in October in Ireland.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 07:43 AM

Sean Bean isn't how I mentally picture Ned Stark, but he's a phenomenal actor and I definitely look forward to his portrayal. Sadly, it means he'll only be in the first season.

NoName

07-20-2009, 07:56 AM

Yay for shooting beginning in October!

DoctorFinger

07-20-2009, 08:24 AM

Yay for shooting beginning in October!Actually that was a bit of a downer. I thought the pilot was going to air in October, not begin shooting.

National Kato

07-20-2009, 08:47 AM

Better start budgeting for my HBO subscription now.

bryan

07-20-2009, 09:09 AM

Awesome, not how I picture Ned Stark either, but Sean Bean can definitely pull it off.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 09:34 AM

I always pictured Stark as thinner with darker hair. More Aragorn than Boromir. Only clean shaven.

DoctorFinger

07-20-2009, 09:44 AM

Bean would have made an awesome King Robert; i can see him as a boisterous drunk, easy. But Ned is a meatier part than Robert.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 09:56 AM

Bean would've had to put on a lot of weight to play old Robert. I'm really curious who they'll get to play Stannis. I'd cast John Malkovic, though he might be too old. Stannis is only in his mid-30s but I always picture him older because of how severe he is.

Borthcollective

07-20-2009, 09:57 AM

I always pictured Stark as thinner with darker hair. More Aragorn than Boromir. Only clean shaven.

I can't imagine anyone smaller than Bean wielding a sword as massive as Ice.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 10:00 AM

You couldn't picture Viggo swinging Ice?

Wombat

07-20-2009, 10:00 AM

I just hope Peter Dinklage can pull off Tyrion as the magnificent bastard he is well enough. He's one of my favorite characters.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 10:09 AM

And one of the most complex, in my opinion. Though so many of the characters in the stories are deep, even minor ones, there are a few that definitely rise above the others. Tyrion is one, but I also think Sandor Clegane will take some skill to portray.

Wombat

07-20-2009, 10:34 AM

The thing about Tyrion is, while he's probably the most honorable of the Lannisters, he's still a vicious heartless bastard at times. It's going to be very hard to portray someone as both noble, and still not very nice.

Nuggsy

07-20-2009, 10:42 AM

I think that Bean is great casting. I think that you need someone with a really strong screen presence for Ned. I also think it's a good pull. None of the actors that they've signed are big names/draws. I think Bean will pull in more people than a no-name.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 10:46 AM

True. For the first season at least they'll need a handful of recognized and respected names to get people watching and hooked. Bean can do that. Getting someone of similar stature and skill to play Cersei could also help. I hate that character with the fury of a thousand suns, but she is definitely Ned's opposite number in the first book.

Borthcollective

07-20-2009, 10:52 AM

You couldn't picture Viggo swinging Ice?

Nope. If you want Viggo let him play the Hound.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 10:59 AM

He could pull it off, too.

I wonder how they'll handle Gregor. Nearly eight feet tall and swings a greatsword with one hand.

DoctorFinger

07-20-2009, 11:04 AM

He could pull it off, too.

I wonder how they'll handle Gregor. Nearly eight feet tall and swings a greatsword with one hand.Honestly, you could get a pro wrestler to play him, no problem. He has almost no lines in the books, just grunts, rapes and decapitations.

Borthcollective

07-20-2009, 11:07 AM

How about "The Big Show" himself?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Paul_Wight_in_Afghanistan.jpg

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 11:08 AM

True. Clever camera work and armor could make him appear large enough. He's one of those characters that's talked about more than he's actually seen.

Borthcollective

07-20-2009, 11:12 AM

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0537631/ This guys is huge too, he is in the new Sherlock Holmes trailer.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 11:19 AM

The hammer guy? I love that part of the trailer. Got great laughs when I saw Harry Potter.

Borthcollective

07-20-2009, 11:37 AM

Yep that's the one.

Nameless

07-20-2009, 11:39 AM

I'm a big fan of Sean Bean as Ned Stark; I can totally see it. This show needs someone who can portray a really, really hateful and hateable character to play Cersei though.

Damn, I hate that bitch.

Same for Viserys, frankly.

Then it's so much better when he gets his comeuppance.

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 11:50 AM

I was worried going into the fourth book that since they gave Cersei POV chapters that I'd grow to sympathize with her. Nope. Hated her even more by the end of that book than I did before. Crazy bitch. Can't wait to see her go on trial.

RandoM51

07-20-2009, 12:17 PM

Nope. If you want Viggo let him play the Hound.
Nah, we're saving that role for Ray Stevenson. ;)

shunoshi

07-20-2009, 04:27 PM

Can't wait to see her go on trial.

You do realize that this would require a 6th book and GRRM is likely to die before finishing it, right? ;)

pomeroy

07-20-2009, 08:34 PM

Cersei is going to be a bitch to cast.

Tricia Helfer (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1065454/), perhaps?

Nameless

07-20-2009, 08:35 PM

Cersei is going to be a bitch to cast.

Tricia Helfer (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1065454/), perhaps?

Hey, she's a bitch for everything else, so it's appropriate! :P

Ink Asylum

07-20-2009, 08:53 PM

You do realize that this would require a 6th book and GRRM is likely to die before finishing it, right? ;)

We're supposed to get seven. If we have to strap him to a machine to keep him alive so his paralyzed body can blink out the final chapters in Morse code, so be it.

DoctorFinger

07-21-2009, 05:43 AM

We're supposed to get seven. If we have to strap him to a machine to keep him alive so his paralyzed body can blink out the final chapters in Morse code, so be it.Just like the good old days when the Wheel of Time series was going to be 7 books? :p

Hopefully once we're past this section of the story - which Martin has had a lot of trouble with structurally - he can pick up the pace.

Borthcollective

07-21-2009, 06:20 AM

Just like the good old days when the Wheel of Time series was going to be 7 books? :p

Hopefully once we're past this section of the story - which Martin has had a lot of trouble with structurally - he can pick up the pace.

If by structurally you mean Island hopping then yes trouble is afoot.

DoctorFinger

07-21-2009, 07:00 AM

The fourth book went through multiple radical changes over the years. Originally there was going to be a five year gap between books 3 & 4, with just a few flashbacks to explain what happened in the interim. Part way through writing it, Martin realized he needed to do too many flashbacks, so he put that half finished book on the shelf and began writing right after the events of Book 3. But that got too big, so he split geographically: books 4 & 5.

So in theory he has about half a book worth of material done for Book 6.

bryan

07-21-2009, 08:03 AM

I have more hope when it comes to Martin cause he's not guilty of describing every single little thing. He's definitely a gifted writer, he just needs to get to where he wants to go quicker.

RandoM51

07-21-2009, 10:21 AM

WoT and SoT are just examples of gouging your fans by padding out your original story with ungodly amounts of filler. Richard has been poisoned, what, five times by now? Please.

I don't see this series going that way short of somebody else taking up the writing for it.

shunoshi

07-21-2009, 11:17 AM

Cersei is going to be a bitch to cast.

Tricia Helfer (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1065454/), perhaps?

Yeah, she could work. Whoever is cast needs to be a serious bitch, but simultaneously be smokin' hot.

Ink Asylum

07-21-2009, 11:21 AM

Oh yeah. I could see Tricia Helfer playing Cersei. She showed an amazing range playing practically a half dozen different versions of a character on BSG. She can do plotting and backstabbing, no doubt. So who would Jaime be?

RandoM51

07-21-2009, 02:25 PM

I'm sick of seeing Tricia Helfer. Saw more than enough of her on BSG, then had to deal with an entire season of her on Burn Notice.

The number of female actresses is almost exactly the same number as the number of female actresses who can play evil bitches. We don't have to use the same one over and over again.

Helfer is too old for that role anyways, IMHO.

DoctorFinger

07-21-2009, 02:53 PM

Cersi Lannister has a 14 year old kid at the start of the series, which even with her having Joffrey real young would make her 30. Helfer can play 30 still.

Ink Asylum

07-21-2009, 03:02 PM

The ages they're looking at for the kids from a casting call. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/board/thread/141479597)

Bran: Playing age 8, an extraordinary boy; Aria: Playing age 11 , girl; Sansa: Playing age 13, girl: Daenerys: Must be aged 18+ but look younger, girl; Rob: Playing age 16, male, a heir to the throne; Theon: Playing age 15, male; Jon Snow: Playing age 18-19, but can be aged up to 22, male. The above are all the sons and daughters of noble families. (Posted: June 29, 2009)

Looks like we'll be seeing Daenerys consummating her marriage with Drogo, if she needs to be 18+. Or at least we'll be seeing her tits.

GigaFuzz

07-21-2009, 03:16 PM

I never thought of Jon as being that old. Maybe 17-18 tops. Did I mis-read something or are they making him a little older?

DoctorFinger

07-21-2009, 03:20 PM

He was always a year or 2 older than Rob in the books, so 18 sounds about right.

shunoshi

07-21-2009, 03:33 PM

The ages they're looking at for the kids from a casting call. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/board/thread/141479597)

Looks like we'll be seeing Daenerys consummating her marriage with Drogo, if she needs to be 18+. Or at least we'll be seeing her tits.

Considering she spends a good portion of Storm of Swords with one breast exposed, yeah, we'll be seeing her bewbs quite a bit me thinks.

National Kato

07-21-2009, 03:38 PM

Some info from the Song of Ice & Fire forums (http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?showtopic=32275&st=80):

The age of the actors is a significant issue; trust us that this is something we've discussed with George since our earliest conversations (well over two years ago). None of the characters will be radically aged.

The location has not yet been finalized, but we're getting close. With any luck, George will be giving you an answer to that question before the end of the year, or very early in 2009.

Shooting dates have also not been determined yet. We're impatient, too, but as you can imagine this is an elaborate production, with large sets to be built, a huge cast to be filled, etc.

For those who would like to send resumes, videos, etc.: we hope to have a casting director in place within the next month. When we do, we'll let you know his/her name and where materials should be sent.

One last thing: our focus at the moment is on casting the pilot. So we're only worried about characters who appear in the pilot. Just so you know the pilot parameters, here's the first line of dialogue:

"We should start back."

And here's the last line:

"The things I do for love."

Sound familiar?

We think you're going to like it...

Anyone else love that last part? :D

Hemalin

07-21-2009, 05:24 PM

I never thought of Jon as being that old. Maybe 17-18 tops. Did I mis-read something or are they making him a little older?
They're changing ages around a bit. Jon and Rob should be around 15 or so within a year of each other and Daenerys should be around that age too maybe a year younger. Theon I recall being 18-19. The other kids they upped their age by a year or two.