'Game of Thrones' ~ Winter is Coming ~ HBO ~ 2011

[Joolz]

Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime.
And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots,
lusts, and intrigues; to the cast and savage eastern lands;
all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice
protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond.

Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords,
and honest men…all will play the ‘Game of Thrones.’


HBO’s Game of Thrones Preview – 1:01 (Video)


HBO: Game of Thrones: Homepage (Official Website)

[Joolz]

I started a thread about this show about a year ago, and rather than resurrect that thread, I thought I’d just start another.

The above is from HBO’s site for Game of Thrones, which is slated to begin sometime early in 2011.

There was a a great preview of the show (linked in the post above) that aired before tonight's episode of Boardwalk Empire (another incredible series, BTW) on HBO. It looks like it's going to be a really fantastic show! It stars Sean Bean (remember Boromir in Lord of the Rings?), and is based on George R.R. Martin's high-fantasy ('swords and sorcery' genre) series of books, A Song of Ice and Fire. I've never read that series, but I do know it has a large fan base. And hey, this is HBO. If it were Syfy, I'd probably be a bit 'ho-hum, we'll see...' about it, but since it's HBO, I'm really interested to see what they'll do with this.

I am really looking forward to it, so am going to post some info about it, in the hope of generating some interest for this show among the Pirates.

[Joolz]

From George R.R. Martin’s Blog – called ‘Not a Blog’ – (casting and production info):

From HBO

Jul. 16th, 2010 at 2:20 PM

And here's the big blast from HBO that I have been promising:

============================

GAME OF THRONES

HBO Entertainment
Season one will total 10 episodes
Production is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and is will begin principal photography on July 26, 2010.

“Game of Thrones” has received funding from Northern Ireland Screen and will shoot in the Paint Hall studio, Belfast, as well as various locations in Northern Ireland. A second location for production will be Malta with assistance from the Malta Film Commission.

LOG LINE:

“Game of Thrones” is a new original HBO series based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling novels. In a world where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, the Westeros crown comes with a price. Betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdom, from the scheming south and the savage eastern lands, to the frozen north and the ancient Wall that protects the realm from the darkness beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noble men vie for power in the bloody struggle for the Iron Throne.

SERIES CREDITS:

David Benioff – Executive Producer
D.B. Weiss – Executive Producer
Carolyn Strauss – Co-Executive Producer
Guymon Casady – Co-Executive Producer
Vince Gerardis – Co-Executive Producer
Ralph Vicinanza – Co-Executive Producer
George R.R. Martin – Co-Executive Producer
Mark Huffam – Producer
Frank Doelger –Producer
Marco Pontecorvo – Director of Photography
Alik Sakharov – Director of Photography
Gemma Jackson – Production Designer
Michele Clapton – Costume Designer

The pilot was written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. The writers of the series are: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss (seven episodes), Bryan Cogman, Jane Espenson and George R.R. Martin (one episode each). “Game of Thrones” is based on the series of books “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin.

The pilot director was Tom McCarthy. Series directors include: Brian Kirk, Daniel Minahan and Alan Taylor. Other directors will be announced as they are confirmed.

SERIES REGULARS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

Mark Addy – as King Robert Baratheon
Alfie Allen – as Theon Greyjoy
Sean Bean – as Eddard “Ned” Stark
Emilia Clarke – as Daenerys Targaryen
Nikolaj Coster – as Waldau as Ser Jamie Lannister
Peter Dinklage – as Tyrion Lannister
Michelle Fairley – as Catelyn Stark
Aidan Gillen – as Littlefinger
Jack Gleeson – as Joffrey Baratheon
Iain Glen – as Ser Jorah Mormont
Kit Harington – as Jon Snow
Lena Headey – as Cersei Lannister
Isaac Hempstead – as Wright as Bran Stark
Harry Lloyd – as Viserys Targaryen
Richard Madden – as Rob Stark
Rory McCann – as Sandor Clegane (Hound)
Sophie Turner – as Sansa Stark
Maisie Williams – as Arya Stark

FEATURED CAST IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

John Bradley – as Samwell Tarly
Ron Donachie – as Ser Rodrik Cassel
Jerome Flynn – as Bronn
Conleth Hill – as Varys
Jason Momoa – as Khal Drogo
Donald Sumpter – as Maester Luwin

GUEST CAST IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

Josef Altin – as Pyp
Gethin Anthony – as Renly Baratheon
Ciaran Bermingham – as Mord
Esme Bianco – as Ros
Susan Brown – as Septa Mordane
Dominic Carter – as Janos Slynt
Antonia Christophers – as Mhaegen
Kate Dickie – as Lysa Arryn
Roy Dotrice –as Grand Maester Pycelle
Emun Elliott – as Marillion
Lino Facioli – as Robin Arryn
Jefferson Hall – as Ser Hugh of the Vale
Derek Halligan – as Alliser Thorne
Rhodri Hosking – as Mycah
Margaret John – as Old Nan
Finn Jones – as Ser Loras Tyrell
Dermot Keaney – as Gared
Francis Magee – as Yoren
Joseph Mawle – as Benjen Stark
Brendan McCormack – as Ser Vardis Egan
Ian McElhinney – as Ser Barristan Selmy
Luke McEwan – as Rast
Kristian Nairn – as Hodor
Rob Ostlere – as Ser Waymar Royce
Eugene Simon – as Lancel Lannister
Jamie Sives – as Jory Cassel
John Standing – as Jon Arryn
Conan Stevens – as Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane
Peter Vaughan – as Maester Aemon Targaryen
Miltos Yeromelou – as Syrio Forel

============================

George again, with a few closing comments.

Yes, we will be filming in Malta, rather than returning to Morocco. The Knights Hospitaller were kind enough to build some great sets for us.

"Mhaegan" is little Barra's mother. She has no name in the novel.

Two more directors have been named. This was news to me as well. I'm excited too.

Lysa's son has been renamed for the series. "Robin" instead of "Robert," as in the books. He's still Sweetrobin.

Marillion has not been renamed, though I offered to do so. I was tired of people assuming he was named after the band. I had never heard of the band when I named him, though I've heard a lot about them since.

'nuff said. This should give you plenty to chew on for a few days... while casting continues and we nail down a few more parts. Lots more still to come, including Osha, Shae, and Twyin.

[Joolz]

More videos…


Game of Thrones "Winter Is Coming" Tease (HBO) – 0:22


Game of Thrones Official "Raven" Tease (HBO) – 0:37


Game of Thrones: Behind the Scenes Featurette (HBO) – 1:32


Game of Thrones: The Artisans – Michele Clapton (HBO) – 1:57 (Costumes)


Game of Thrones: The Artisans – Tommy Dunne (HBO) – 1:59 (Weaponry)


Game of Thrones: The Artisans – Gemma Jackson (HBO) – 1:37 (Set Design)


Game of Thrones: The Artisans – Gemma Jackson on the Castle Black Lift (HBO) – 1:22 (Set Design)


Game of Thrones: The Artisans – Richard Roberts (HBO) – 2:23 (Food)

[Joolz]

And now, some promo shots from the sets, courtesy of HBO (photos by Helen Sloan - for hi-res versions of most of these, go to: http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/prod ... hotos.html):

The first promo photo, released last summer:

[Joolz]

Kit Harington as Jon Snow, bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark (far left):

[Joolz]

Armored soldiers on horseback:

[Joolz]

Mark Addy as King Robert Baratheon:

[Joolz]

Lena Headey as Queen Cersei Baratheon:

[Joolz]

Another of the Queen (in her bedroom):

[Joolz]

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jamie Lannister (a knight and brother of the Queen):

[Joolz]

Sean Bean as Lord Eddard Stark, Hand of the King, his closest adviser (left):

[Joolz]

Another of Sean Bean as Lord Eddard Stark:

[Joolz]

Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark (left) and Kit Harington as Jon Snow (right), sons of Eddard Stark:

[Joolz]

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen: