Ohmygodohmygod

[Werthead]

They cancelled Rome after just one, and look how popular that was

Well, according to GRRM's Not A Blog that I just read, and HBO's website, the 2nd season of Rome started just this week.

Actually, you're both right. Rome was cancelled after Season 1, but only after Season 2 was comissioned. So they basically said the show would end after Season 2, and indeed, it will. One of the reasons (aside from the eye-bulging $100 million-a-seaon budget) was that the only place the story could go in Season 3 was the Caligula/Claudius saga, and frankly the BBC version of I, Claudius did that far better than Rome ever could.

I watched the first episode of Rome Season 2 this week and it was pure awesomeness. Mark Antony politically outmaneuvering Caesar's murderers was just brilliantly done and I thought, "This is so a Littlefinger moment." Although Purefoy, great as he is and certainly should be in the ASoIaF in some role, is a bit too big and tough to be Littlefinger.

How do people think the story will be affected by being adapted by the script-writer? The only reason I support the Chain of Dogs project is that it's actually being written by Erikson and his junta, but will this detract from Martin's excellence? Obviously he doesn't have enough time to do it on his own...

The Chain of Dogs project is kind of a non-starter in its current form. The idea that you can get a project of that magnitude done without going to Hollywood was just wishful thinking, and Hollywood would certainly want to put more experienced screenwriters on the task. No disrespect to any of the team who've been working on it and The Dark, it's just that I don't see Chain of Dogs making it to the screen in the form they envision. And perhaps that means it won't happen, if SE is adamant that's the only way it can happen.

 

[Koopa]

If its like Rome then its good, i am only hoping it will not bring down the books.

 

[Boaz]

Well, this is a lot to digest (along with these nachos as a midnight snack), but TK's comment regarding POV's seems the most intruiging. Yes, No, It might happen, Rome was cancelled, Budget concerns and all future guessing as to ASOIAF's probability aside, TK got into the how.

Can anyone recall TV shows or movies being done from multiple POV's? There was a cop show a few years ago (in the US) that showed crimes from multiple perspectives, not that I ever watched it.

POV means piont of view... I don't want just different stories told every episode in ASOIAF, I want POV's. The early Stark POV's set the stage and tension so that Ned's death is shocking. If the early POV's had all been Lannister, then Ned's death would have been a necessity. So if HBO's ASOIAF is just generic third person, then I think most of the tension of the story and the realism of the characters goes in the trash.

Bluejimmie hit the jackpot question of who. Realistically, who should be cast? Of course, it'll be mostly unknowns to us lay people or those labeled as character actors. For instance in The Sopranos, none of the actors that I've seen (I've probably seen half the episodes) would be considered on Hollywood's A-list. Apart from the show only Steve Buscemi, Lorraine Bracco, Robert Loggia, Joe Pantoliano, Timothy Daly, and perhaps Peter Riegert and James Gandolfini are easily identifiable for their acting work.

I don't mean that as an aspersion upon these actors, their abilities or their work. I'll always remember Nancy Marchand's one episode role on Cheers as Frazier's mother!

The fact is that I cannot foresee HBO getting Tom Cruise to play Ned, Tom Hanks to play Stannis, Heath Ledger to play Jaime (Loras maybe, but never Jaime), Sean Connery to play Aemon, Julia Roberts to play Catelyn, Nicole Kidman to play Cersei, Hugh Jackman to play Bronn, Steve Buscemi to play Tyrion, Tim Roth to play Littlefinger, Natalie Portman to play Shae, Liam Neeson to play Jorah, and Catharine Zeta-Jones to play Melissandre. Realistically, HBO will sign unknowns and character actors which makes our discussion nigh impossible and very fruitless.

 

[Koopa]

Well, this is a lot to digest (along with these nachos as a midnight snack), but TK's comment regarding POV's seems the most intruiging. Yes, No, It might happen, Rome was cancelled, Budget concerns and all future guessing as to ASOIAF's probability aside, TK got into the how.

Can anyone recall TV shows or movies being done from multiple POV's? There was a cop show a few years ago (in the US) that showed crimes from multiple perspectives, not that I ever watched it.

POV means piont of view... I don't want just different stories told every episode in ASOIAF, I want POV's. The early Stark POV's set the stage and tension so that Ned's death is shocking. If the early POV's had all been Lannister, then Ned's death would have been a necessity. So if HBO's ASOIAF is just generic third person, then I think most of the tension of the story and the realism of the characters goes in the trash.

Bluejimmie hit the jackpot question of who. Realistically, who should be cast? Of course, it'll be mostly unknowns to us lay people or those labeled as character actors. For instance in The Sopranos, none of the actors that I've seen (I've probably seen half the episodes) would be considered on Hollywood's A-list. Apart from the show only Steve Buscemi, Lorraine Bracco, Robert Loggia, Joe Pantoliano, Timothy Daly, and perhaps Peter Riegert and James Gandolfini are easily identifiable for their acting work.

I don't mean that as an aspersion upon these actors, their abilities or their work. I'll always remember Nancy Marchand's one episode role on Cheers as Frazier's mother!

The fact is that I cannot foresee HBO getting Tom Cruise to play Ned, Tom Hanks to play Stannis, Heath Ledger to play Jaime (Loras maybe, but never Jaime), Sean Connery to play Aemon, Julia Roberts to play Catelyn, Nicole Kidman to play Cersei, Hugh Jackman to play Bronn, Steve Buscemi to play Tyrion, Tim Roth to play Littlefinger, Natalie Portman to play Shae, Liam Neeson to play Jorah, and Catharine Zeta-Jones to play Melissandre. Realistically, HBO will sign unknowns and character actors which makes our discussion nigh impossible and very fruitless.

well actually the actors of Rome are not entirely unknows, far from it

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

well actually the actors of Rome are not entirely unknows, far from it

Interesting to think about huh?

The producers could go with relative unknowns willing to sign a multi (and I mean MULTI) year contract worth relatively little in order to keep the budget down.

However, with a project this long, you'd imagine they'd be looking at resumes showing a certain degree of professionalism. Having to recast Jaime halfway through the 3rd season due to contract problems or "creative differences" isnt exactly desirable. Plus Im sure they'll try to keep the quality high. Im hoping if it happens it will look and feel a lot more like "Rome" and less like "Xena: Warrior Princess." (with all due respect to Xena fans )

Unlike Sopranos, this series is telling one tale from start to finish. If they dont go the full distance, it will be a big letdown. Much like Carnivale

Well, we should have years to discuss this before it happens. Im willing to wager the actress who'll portray Ayra hasnt even been born yet

 

[TK-421]

Thank you Boaz for the props.

While I would still watch the show even it was not based on different POV's because I'm like a crack addict to ASOIAF, I see the POV's being the only viable one that would really set the show apart.

I am already thinking of the opening scene beyond the Wall with the Others...

Or each episode starting with a black screen with the name of the POV for this week:
Jon
Catelyn
Jaime
Tyrion
Eddard
Daenerys
...ohhh, the possibilities.

But GRRM is smart and knows that his POV's is the key to the success of the books and the eventually the show.

Now, I just hope the CGI isn't cheese. Like the direwolves, the Wall, the dragons, the Others, battle scenes, etc.

But if they are thinking of filming in New Zealand, we know the scenery will be spectacular and likely cover all of the geography described in the books.

 

[red_temple]

I just wet myself, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I'd like to see them cast a bigger name actor as Ned to use as drawing power. They'll only need to pay him his big salary for 1 season.

 

[TK-421]

This news must be huge for Red Temple and Trey to come in from the cold after being away from the forums for so long. Glad you're back.

 

[TomServo]

If Rome got cancelled because of budgetary restraints, then I don't want to see big name actors in the ASoIaF show. 'A' listers would take up a huge chunk of the budget.

 

[kimb]

Those are some interesting points Boaz. POVs are usually what make you like or hate a character- it's not just their actions.
I kind of like TK-421's thought of having the black screen with the name of the POV for the week. If it's not too much, I would like to see four 15 min chapters or six 10 min chapters.
I don't mind the idea of not having big name actors- in fact, I prefer it. I think the casting for most of HBO's series have been really amazing. The only actor I really hope would be in it is Ian McShane. I thought he was fantasic on Deadwood and there are tons of bad guys he could play.

 

[Rane Longfox]

Nah, HBO do very well with moderately well-known actors, like McShane in Deadwood, Tobias Menzies, Ray Stevenson and James Purefoy in Rome, etc... casting would be one thing unlikely to go wrong.

 

[Culhwch]

If it's not too much, I would like to see four 15 min chapters or six 10 min chapters.

I don't know that you could do justice to a written chapter in ten to fifteen minutes screentime. I'd imagine that they'll dispense with the viewpoint angle and just tackle it as straight multi-strand narrative. Which is viewpoint, anyway, just without the titles...

I don't have it on me, but aGot is what, 900 pages paperback? Screenplays are roughly a minute a page, fiction is denser, so say twenty hours unabridged. Twenty hour-long episodes. I'd favour a feature length premiere, and in that try and encompass the prologue and everything up to Bran's fall as a cliffhanger. Go over the sea for the second ep (third hour), devote it entirely to Dany's set up, and then come back to and exit Winterfell.... It can definitely work.

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

This news must be huge for Red Temple and Trey to come in from the cold after being away from the forums for so long. Glad you're back.

Thanks TK!

I'd like to see them cast a bigger name actor as Ned to use as drawing power. They'll only need to pay him his big salary for 1 season.

Thats exactly what I was thinking as well. I also think some of the "come and go" characters lend themselves well to guest star appearances.

Im glad Im reading the series now. News releases such as "Frankie Muniz of Malcolm in the Middle fame has been tapped to play Benjen Stark" are going to ruin the suspense for some viewers (ha! )

I also wrote HBO and told them Im prepared to purchase any and all paraphernalia, tshirts, coffee mugs, post-it notes, action figures...ANYTHING associated with ASOIAF. Gotta get em all! Im prepared to support the project with my hard earned $$$

My only fear is that by the time we have the premier party Ill be more worried about my arthritis and prostate than the actor playing Ned..

Does Jagermeister have negative interactions with heart medication??

 

[red_temple]

This news must be huge for Red Temple and Trey to come in from the cold after being away from the forums for so long. Glad you're back.

The huge news may be part of it, but also I am back from a prolonged vacation and have more continuous access to my computer. I was pretty much out of circulation for most of November and all of December. The bad news is that you may have to put up with more frequent posts from me now.

By the way, here's a link to HBO to send them a little note telling them how completely, totally, and utterly AWSOME you think this is. It may also serve well to tell them you'd be most interested in purchasing thousands of dollars worth of the paraphernalia that Trey mentions above.

 

[Somebloke]

I wonder how they'll handle Dani's marriage and pregnancy at 13?

 

[Koopa]

they handled incest in Rome Octavianus with his sister, though it was the first i heard of it (of Ocatvianus and his sister comitting incest that it) and before that the making a man of him, getting him to a brothel at the age of 13 or so

 

[Boaz]

Thats exactly what I was thinking as well. I also think some of the "come and go" characters lend themselves well to guest star appearances.

I agree, but I think certain factors come into play. First, money. If the star gets paid enough, he/she'll do it. Imo, almost every last one of them are Shaes.

Second, the actor might have a deep love for the subject, director, or another actor. From what I've heard (and I could be wrong), Samuel L. Jackson asked George Lucas to be in the fourth, fifth, and sixth movies because he loved Star Wars so much. Some actors bend over backwards to work with certain directors.

Third, a favor might be called in. The studio, producer or director might remind an actor of a debt.

Fourth, some big name actors are in periods in their lives when they'd just enjoy a nice steady paycheck and the normalcy of a regular job.

Finally, I don't really know what I'm talking about. If any of you are on the inside of Hollywood, you probably have better guesses than me.

Does Jagermeister have negative interactions with heart medication??

I thought Jager was heart medication!

 

[Werthead]

I wonder how they'll handle Dani's marriage and pregnancy at 13?

They won't. Dany will probably be at least 16 in the TV series, and probably played by an actress who's 18 or older. Not because of any sense of propriety, but simply that if it takes 6-7 seasons to tell the story and the story only spans 4 years+ over the course of it (2-2.5 years pass in Books 1-5, presumbly a similar amount in the books to come), then it will be much more obvious with younger actors than the older ones.

With some characters, like Bran, it's possible they'd consider filming all of his scenes for say the first three books at once, to avoid this problem of aging, but for someone with as much screen time as Dany, that's unlikely to happen.

 

[Dolorous Edd]

The fact is that I cannot foresee HBO getting Tom Cruise to play Ned, Tom Hanks to play Stannis, Heath Ledger to play Jaime (Loras maybe, but never Jaime), Sean Connery to play Aemon, Julia Roberts to play Catelyn, Nicole Kidman to play Cersei, Hugh Jackman to play Bronn, Steve Buscemi to play Tyrion, Tim Roth to play Littlefinger, Natalie Portman to play Shae, Liam Neeson to play Jorah, and Catharine Zeta-Jones to play Melissandre. Realistically, HBO will sign unknowns and character actors which makes our discussion nigh impossible and very fruitless.

Thank god for that! Surely there must be some kinda of international treaty in existance that prohibits the gathering of such a stellar cast of actors together. The sheer power of their combined egos clashing would surely cause some kind of cataclsymic rift in space and time!

 

[Weasel Soup]

Thank god for that! Surely there must be some kinda of international treaty in existance that prohibits the gathering of such a stellar cast of actors together. The sheer power of their combined egos clashing would surely cause some kind of cataclsymic rift in space and time!

So there will be no Cannonball Run in Westeros?

(But the speculation is fun though)