The announcement doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The first episode’s numbers weren’t nearly as high as Boardwalk Empire’s premiere, but they trounced the premiere of True Blood. However, Game of Thrones is expected to have much higher international presence than either of the other two properties, as well as a strong presence on DVD.

The first episode was well received by new comers, fans of the series, and critics alike. But the only people that we care about are the people reading this site, right now. So how did you like the first episode?

5. Fables

The first trade of the by Bill Willingham instantly hooks you on a common CSI seeming murder investigation of Rose Red. The series features all of our beloved storybook characters…seen in a completely different light. The Big Bad Wolf has become a chain-smoking detective, and after being exiled from their world, these fable characters must live amongst us and try to blend in. This comic at one point was in the market to become a ABC television series, however I haven’t heard anything on it being developed in the last few years. For ABC I don’t know if it could have the harsher elements that Willingham portrays in the book and is vital to the story. HBO is the place for it.

4. Irredeemable

With the exception of The Walking Dead, Irredeemable is one of the darkest comics I’ve read in while. Mark Waid, who’s spent a great deal of time in the superhero world, writing everything from The Flash to Captain America, scribes this melancholy tale. Irredeemable is the story of The Plutonian, a Superman type hero, who goes rouge and destroys the city he’s protected for so long. Why would this work as a TV series? The first trade seems to follow the supporting heroes who worked alongside The Plutonian during their crime fighting days. Each episode might be able to center around one of these characters and their relationship with the fallen hero. Another aspect that could be woven well in the television show is the questions you encounter when reading it. Why did he turn?  What is his origin? All these are potential plot points for a television series.

3. Jonah Hex

Jonah Hex really could be the next big period drama for HBO. In comics Hex generally lends itself to a one-and-done type of format. So far pretty much every issue of the new Jonah Hex run written by Jimmy Palmiotti allows the reader to easily access a story that doesn’t get bogged down by continuity. Hex as an HBO series could be spellbinding as it’s a gritty and sometimes heart wrenching tale includes very dark elements. A few subplot characters in each season and an over-arching story coupled with the accessibility could make Hex a frontrunner.

2. Gotham Central

This series could just be your typical crime drama (a la Law and Order and CSI), but ads a twist to it. What if these cops had to take down the arguably fiercest rouges in the DC Universe. Gotham Central gives readers a look on what would happen if real world police had larger than life crime. This series would allow for everything that viewers love about the crime drama harmoniously tied in with the DC Universe. Batman’s rouges cameos could be endless, not to mention a possible appearance by the Caped Crusader himself.

1. Y: The Last Man

Y: The Last Man possibly fueled my desire to read more books that didn’t involve the capes, cowls, and muscles. This series is centered around a plague that kills all the men off the earth, except for one, Yorick Brown. After the plague hits, Yorick, incognito, sets off with his partners trying to find why he’s still alive. The Brian K. Vaughn scribed series has the most character evolution of any comic I have ever read. The changes throughout the series would allow for an engaging television run. Filled with shocking season finale like moments, Y: The Last Man needs a series.

Am I wrong? What are you’re top 5? Discuss Below!!!!!

-Reid Ackerman

• ‘Pac-Man’ reality show in the works
• ABC gives Charlie’s Angels series a Pilot Greenlight; The show is set in Miami; Robert Wagner joins the cast as the voice of Charlie

• The Dark Tower TV series will be a six hour mini-series, not a full season
• New “symbolic” Game of Thrones trailer hits, several new images
• Liam McIntyre is cast to replace Andy Whitfield as Spartacus
• Ricky Gervais will be reprising his role as David Brent on the American Office

• Anne Hathaway is Catwoman, Tom Hardy is Bane in The Dark Knight Rises
• First images from Spider-Man, Captain America, and X-Men: First Class
• Shane Black signs to direct manga adaptation “Death Note”

• Social Network producers working on “Sex on the Moon”
• Dreamworks doing “Peabody and Sherman” with Robert Downey Jr as Mr. Peabody
• Will Ferrel’s next film is a Spanish language telenovella style comedy?
• There will be no J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man reboot
• Duncan Jones’ next movie will be an homage to Blade Runner, set in a futuristic city
• Paramount has asked JJ Abrams to shoot Star Trek 2 in 3d even though he hasn’t committed to filming it until he sees the script. He doesn’t think it would fit his style

• HBO wants Netflix to charge $20 a month in order to carry their programming
• iPad 2 Rumors starting to be backed by proof, be consistent

GeekJerk Reaction: No Strings Attached, The Company Men

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.

So who have we got so far?

Eddard “Ned” Stark – Sean Bean

Catelyn Stark – Jennifer Ehle

Robb Stark – Richard Madden

Sansa Stark – Sophie Turner

Arya Stark – Maisie Williams

Robert Baratheon – Mark Addy

Jamie Lannister – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Lena Headey – Cersei Lannister (Added 9/01/09)

Tyrion Lannister – Peter Dinklage

Daenerys Targaryen – Tamzin Merchant

Theon Greyjoy – Alfie Allen

Jon Snow – Kit Harington

Joffrey Baratheon – Jack Gleeson

Viserys Targaryen – Harry Lloyd

Sandor Clegane (The Hound) – Rory McCann

Added on 9/02/09

• Lena Headey cast as Cersei Lannister
• New Picture for Sophie Turner
• New Picture for Maisie Williams (Maisie has been spelled Maizie and Maisie by George RR Martin, so no idea on correct spelling)

Added on 9/24/09

• Rory McCann was added as Sandor Clegane (The Hound)

• 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

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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)

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”.

But according to a recent interview with Comics Continuum, that is no longer the case.

“We were budgeting and everything and it was getting really close to going,” Johnson told The Continuum. “But the new head of HBO felt it was just too dark and too violent and too controversial. Which, of course, is kind of the point!

“It was a very faithful adaptation of the first few books, nearly word for word. They offered me the chance to redevelop it but I refused. I’ve learned my lesson on that front and I won’t do it again. So I’m afraid it’s dead at HBO.

“I’ve heard someone is in the process of getting the rights to turn it into a feature film. I hope that happens. But I hope it happens as a series of movies as one movie couldn’t do it justice. I really love that story and I dedicated a lot of my time to honor Garth’s work. But it wasn’t meant to be.”