Geekshow » George R.R. Martin

Game of Thrones Gets The Greenlight

Saberj — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:19:10 +0000

It’s been all over the internet recently, but I couldn’t help put put my own two cents in on the matter. HBO has officially picked up ten episodes of “Game of Thrones“, the series which is based on George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy novels. The 10 episodes consist of the pilot, which HBO has already shot, plus nine additional episodes. Keep reading…

I’ve already posted a couple articles on the casting of the pilot, so you can read those here and here.

A Song of Ice and Fire is considered by many, including myself, to be one of the best fantasy series of modern day. However, it is also a very long series. In addition, the series is quite a ways off from being completed. So the decision to begin reading the novels could be particularly tough for some people. However, with a television series, many people will be able to get a good taste of the setting and plot of the novels, without dedicating the time to reading them. Which could in turn lead them back to the novels, once they know it’s something they are interested in.

The fact is, ASoIaF is not your typical fantasy series. The Hollywood Reporter did a good job of summarizing one of the main differences in their recent article:

Unlike many fantasy novels, the “Thrones” series largely avoids relying on magical elements and instead goes for brutal realism — think “Sopranos” with swords.

Martin’s view of fantasy in the novels up to this point has largely involved the setting itself. Yes, magic once existed in the world, and may very well exist again at some point. But the focus is more on political intrigue, knights and soldiers, and kingdoms rising from chaos.

Game of Thrones, which shares the same title as the first novel in the series (minus the preceding article “A”) will find quite possibly the perfect fit on HBO. The novels are way too violent for a network TV spot similar to “Legend of the Seeker“. Sex is also something that makes it’s way into the novels when appropriate for the story. Neither of those will be an issue for a show airing on HBO. If anything, it could help the show out with HBO’s audience.

The series is shaping up to be a good one. As of the pilot we have a fantastic list of stars including Sean Bean, Lena Headey, and Peter Dinklage. Add in a few rising actors and some fresh faces, and this series has the potential to really take off.

Ten episodes for the first season could work out pretty well. The first novel could be cut down quite a bit. Hopefully future seasons would warrant the normal HBO length of 13 episodes, however. It could be pretty difficult to cut down some of the later books. Currently there are four books, with the 5th book looking likely to come out sometime this year. Given HBO’s history with shows, it’s unlikely that the show would even make it to that point. However, should it reach the 5th season, there will probably be a 6th book waiting for it. The first three books came in two year gaps. Assuming A Dance with Dragons is released this year, that would mean that both of his last two books saw a gap of 5 years before they came out.

Game of Thrones is set to begin production this June, and should air in Spring of 2011.

Sean Bean To Play With Ice and Fire

Polygon_Wizard — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:34:19 +0000

The latest cast member to join the HBO production of George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones is a very exciting one. Sean Bean will be playing the role of Ned Stark, an honorable lord who becomes the top advisor for his old friend, King Robert Baratheon. Bean is perhaps most known for playing Boromir in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but he has played several other memorable characters including Alec ‘006′ Trevelyan in Goldeneye, Odysseus in Troy, and Partridge in Equilibrium.

Sean Bean as Boromir in Lord of the Rings

Other known cast members for A Game of Thrones are Mark Addy as King Robert, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister (a cunning dwarf with a sharp tongue), Kit Harrington as Jon Snow (Ned Stark’s bastard son), Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen (exiled heir to the former king), and Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon (temperamental son of King Robert).

The pilot is scheduled to begin shooting in Ireland this October.

(Hollywood Reporter)

Dinklage Cast In HBO’s ‘A Game Of Thrones’

Scott — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:32:04 +0000

HBO’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song af Ice and Fire series is finally moving forward.

Actor Peter Dinklage has been cast as Tyrion Lannister in HBO’s A Game of Thrones.

Tyrion, (a POV character from the start of the series) is Tywin’s third child, a misshapen dwarf nicknamed “The Imp” and “The Halfman”. As a fan-favorite character, he is the personal favorite of the series’ author George R. R. Martin as well. Though Tyrion shares his father’s talent for political maneuvering, he receives little respect from Tywin because of his deformity, sharp tongue, penchant for whoring, and the death of his mother during his birth. He is capable of cruelty to his enemies, but also has great sympathy for fellow outcasts and the mistreated.

The series will be written by David Benioff (The 25th Hour and X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and D.B. Weiss (writer of the ill-fated Halo adaptation).

Still no word on when it will go into production, or when it could possibly air.

GeekiN Episode #84 – A Show of Ice and Fire (And a Bolt)

Saberj — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:55:03 +0000

Hey guys, miss us? Another week, and another episode. With a lot of the recapping out of the way, we attempt to work our way back to more up-to-date news items. However, ultimately, we still find ourselves talking about some news that we missed last week. However, we do eventually have a full slate to discuss. Keep Reading for the full show notes.

George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is getting it’s pilot television episode made by HBO. The result of that will determine whether or not the first season gets the greenlight. We discuss the “If We Ran HBO” article from the website.
Tron 2, Originally titled Tr2n was renamed TRZ and the confusion begins
Bruce Wayne killed off in the comics by Simon Hurt, claiming to be Bruce’s not so dead father. Will we see similarities with the next Batman movie?
Bolt has fantastic Pixar-like quality. Wayne thinks it may share too much in common with Pixar movies.
Xbox 360 Jasper Motherboard includes 256mb onboard storage, less heat, less power consumption.

Box Office Standings Nov 28-30

TW	Title (click to view)	Weekend Gross	Average	Total Gross	Budget
1	Four Christmases	$31,069,826	$9,387	$46,054,468	$80
2	Bolt	$26,581,002	$7,274	$66,848,840	-
3	Twilight	$26,344,032	$7,692	$119,706,509	$37
4	Quantum of Solace	$18,833,552	$5,379	$141,418,534	$200
5	Australia	$14,800,723	$5,602	$20,004,456	$130

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If We Ran…HBO

Saberj — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:18:36 +0000

As you may have seen in my post from earlier in the week, HBO has greenlit the pilot episode for George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. Since they picked up the option to the series, I’ve been pondering who would fit which character of the show. I still have a lot of problems figuring out certain characters. I think they are going to have to come up with quite a few unknown actors in order to properly cast the series.

However, I’ve come up with list of preferred actors and actresses to play a majority of the main characters in the story. I only used actors that are known for actually doing television series. If the actor does mostly movies, or is a high-budget actor, they most likely got disqualified from my list. Anyway, keep reading to see…the list! What is your list? Got a suggestion for some of my missing characters? Like Sansa, for example? Post your comments!

Eddard “Ned” Stark – Kenneth Mitchell (Jericho)

Catelyn Stark – Lena Headey (Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles)

Robb Stark – Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights)

Sansa Stark – Tessa Allen (General Hospital)

Arya Stark – Adair Tishler (Heroes)

OR Saoirse Ronan (City of Ember)

Bran Stark - Mickey Graue (Lost)

Robert Baratheon – Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill)

Cersei Lannister – Ali Larter (Heroes)

Jamie Lannister – David Anders (Heroes)

Tyrion Lannister – Danny Woodburn (Various Stuff)

Tywin Lannister – Malcolm McDowell (Heroes)

The Hound – Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who)

OR Lance Henriksen (Aliens)

Petyr “Littlefingers” Baelish – James Callis (Battlestar Galactica)

Daenerys Targaryen – AnnaSophia Robb

Jeyne Westerling – Aimee Teegarden (Friday Night Lights)

HBO Greenlights “A Song of Ice and Fire” Pilot

Saberj — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:35:56 +0000

Several places are reporting that HBO has (finally) given the “A Song of Ice and Fire” television pilot a greenlight. HBO had picked up the option to make the series a long while back. But there were talks that the series was facing competition for a try at a slot. However, the series will now get a pilot episode, with the chance of a full season pickup. The first season of the show will be based on the first novel, “A Game of Thrones“. Following that, every season is planned to take on one novel. Should the series hold onto author George R.R. Martin’s projections, and not get any larger or smaller (The series is famous for growing from three planned novels into four current novels, with three more on the way. George also swears that if he dies, the series will not go on), this would give HBO a potential 7 season series.

Personally, I’ve always cheered for the series to make it. It makes a very intricate story, which would be be played out visually. A movie would cut out far too much, so television would be the best way to go. The series is quite violent at times, with a healthy dose of sexual material, and political intrigue. So really, HBO is the best that the series can hope for. George tells the fans on his “Not a Blog” that the script for the pilot is “very faithful”.