Casting news from the TV series

[Werthead]

Not at all as I pictured Syrio. I actually know a performer/actor who would have been PERFECT, but he said he had contractual obligations whbich precluded him from even exploring the possibility.

Hopefully this guy will be good.

He's already said that he's probably got to shave his head completely for the role, but is up for it

 

[Ursa major]

Well at least they didn't cast any old faceless actor.

 

[Boaz]

As for looks, Syrio looks good and Sam looks simply awesome.

Syrio will only have a couple of scenes... and GRRM is adding to them, if you'll remember. Mayhaps he'll continue in flashbacks or as a ghost, ala, Ben to Luke or Mickey to Rocky...

Sam's character will cover at least the first four, most likely six, and probably all seven seasons. One thing I ponder though, I believe that Sam gets in better shape as the story progresses and will the actor be up for that challenge...

 

[Hilarious Joke]

Woo! I'm pretty excited!

 

[Werthead]

Conan Stevens confirmed as Ser Gregor Clegane.

Stevens is 7 feet and one-quarter inches tall, which isn't as tall as the 'real' Gregor but not far off, and they can certainly do stuff with perspectives and long-shots.

Good news, as Stevens had been told about the role by a friend who'd read the books the second HBO announced it. Stevens subsequently read the books, enjoyed them and lobbied hard for the role of Gregor. He even tactically auditioned for Khal Drogo in the pilot knowing he had the wrong looks but wanted to get his name and face known to the producers for when they cast Gregor, and that now seems to have paid off.

 

[viZion]

How tall is the Gregor from the books? Close to eight feet, right? I don't know where I'm getting that number from.

 

[No One]

Funny you should say that, because I came away from AGOT remembering a certain passage describing Sandor as about 7 ft tall, and that Gregor was a head taller still, putting him at near 8 ft to my mind.

During my re-read though, I haven't come across the scene and I would've sworn it was in the first third of the book, which is behind me.

 

[Werthead]

Gregor is said to be closer to eight foot than seven, in ASoS where Tyrion is describing him to Oberyn and getting increasingly nervous at Oberyn's lack of concern about fighting him, although that may have been Tyrion exaggerating.

Fans tracking his descriptions in the book have concluded that Gregor is about 7 foot 6 inches in height, possibly slightly more.

 

[Boaz]

Conan looks like a fun guy! But there are not too many speaking lines for Gregor... I think one in each book.

Mountain: Any man runs, I'll kill him myself! Charge!

Mountain: So this is the whore you're so concerned for.
Inkeeper: My Layna's no whore, ser.
Mountain: She is now.

Viper: Have they told you who I am?
Mountain: Some dead man.
Viper: I am Oberyn Martell, a prince of Dorne. Princess Elia was my sister.
Mountain: Who?
Viper: Elia Martell, Princess of Dorne. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children.
Mountain: Did you come to fight or talk?
Viper: I came to hear you confess. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children.
Mountain: Be quiet.
Viper: You raped her.
Mountain: Enough!
Viper: You murdered her.
Mountain: SHUT UP!
(The stableboy screams after Gregor cuts off his arm.)
Mountain: Shut UP!
Viper: Elia. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. Now say her name.
Mountain: You talk too much. You make my head hurt.
Viper: I will hear you say it. She was Elia of Dorne... (Fighting.) Elia. Say it! Elia of Dorne! Say it!... (Oberyn draws blood.) ELIA OF DORNE!... (Gregor goes down.) EEEEELLLLLLIIIIIAAAAA!... (Oberyn pins Gregor to the earth.) If you die before you say her name, ser, I will hunt you through all seven hells.... (Gregor is bleeding out.) Say the name! (Gregor grabs Oberyn.)
Mountain: Elia of Dorne. I killed her screaming whelp. Then I raped her. Then I smashed her ******* head in. Like this.

 

[southron sword]

Conan looks like a fun guy! But there are not too many speaking lines for Gregor... I think one in each book.

Probably a good thing. Did you watch that showreel? As long as he looks big and mean.....

 

[digs]

Boaz, that scene with Oberyn and Gregor is ****ing awesome. I really gotta reread these books!

 

[TK-421]

Will make for great television (provided the series makes it that far).

 

[Ursa major]

*shakes head*

To misquote Sgt Oddball (from Kelly's Heroes):

Always with the negative waves, TK, always with the negative waves.

 

[TK-421]

I say it again, big bear, I'm actually an optimist.

I do think the series will last but HBO is not in the business of making small time series or those that lose money. If that fate befalls GoT, then so be it. (But as an optimist, I say it will survive )

 

[Clansman]

Conan looks like a fun guy! But there are not too many speaking lines for Gregor... I think one in each book.

Mountain: Any man runs, I'll kill him myself! Charge!

Mountain: So this is the whore you're so concerned for.
Inkeeper: My Layna's no whore, ser.
Mountain: She is now.

Viper: Have they told you who I am?
Mountain: Some dead man.
Viper: I am Oberyn Martell, a prince of Dorne. Princess Elia was my sister.
Mountain: Who?
Viper: Elia Martell, Princess of Dorne. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children.
Mountain: Did you come to fight or talk?
Viper: I came to hear you confess. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children.
Mountain: Be quiet.
Viper: You raped her.
Mountain: Enough!
Viper: You murdered her.
Mountain: SHUT UP!
(The stableboy screams after Gregor cuts off his arm.)
Mountain: Shut UP!
Viper: Elia. You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children. Now say her name.
Mountain: You talk too much. You make my head hurt.
Viper: I will hear you say it. She was Elia of Dorne... (Fighting.) Elia. Say it! Elia of Dorne! Say it!... (Oberyn draws blood.) ELIA OF DORNE!... (Gregor goes down.) EEEEELLLLLLIIIIIAAAAA!... (Oberyn pins Gregor to the earth.) If you die before you say her name, ser, I will hunt you through all seven hells.... (Gregor is bleeding out.) Say the name! (Gregor grabs Oberyn.)
Mountain: Elia of Dorne. I killed her screaming whelp. Then I raped her. Then I smashed her ******* head in. Like this.

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die....

 

[No One]

Ah, think I found what I was looking for, regarding Gregor's size:

[AGOT: Robert Baratheon and his brothers were all big men, as was the Hound, and back at Winterfell there was a simpleminded stableboy named Hodor who dwarfed them all, but the knight they called the Mountain the Rides would have towered over Hodor. He was well over seven feet tall, closer to eight...]

 

[xLORDSNOWx]

Ah, think I found what I was looking for, regarding Gregor's size:

[AGOT: Robert Baratheon and his brothers were all big men, as was the Hound, and back at Winterfell there was a simpleminded stableboy named Hodor who dwarfed them all, but the knight they called the Mountain the Rides would have towered over Hodor. He was well over seven feet tall, closer to eight...]

Are you thinking what i'm thinking? Will Bran dispose of Hodor for The (Frankenstein) Mountain? Hmmmmmm!

 

[No One]

Are you thinking what i'm thinking? Will Bran dispose of Hodor for The (Frankenstein) Mountain? Hmmmmmm!

lol - if Bran can warg with something dead, then why not one of the dragon skulls in King's Landing? A giant dragon skull snapping its way through the city...

If George Martin is reading, feel free to use that. I think it's the way to go.


(I know, I know, it's a stupid idea. I mean, how would the skull get out of the Red Keep?)

 

[Werthead]

Interview with Lena Headey where she discusses the role of Cersei and her hopes to please fans of the books.

 

[Boaz]

ASOIAF highlights from the interview Wert linked...

How is life over in the UK? Are you ready to go back to work on “Game of Thrones”?
Life back in the uk is er .... ok, but i love Los Angeles dammit, there i said it... though its good to be near great friends. I am excited and nervous about going back to work, very ready and not ready one bit.
Have you read the novels that the series is based on and what drew you to the role of “Cersei”?
No and she's a curious woman, a hard shell but inside i believe there is deep paranoia and a growing madness.
Going from Terminator to GoT , both with huge fan followings, is it hard to live up to the fan expectations?
I am constantly encouraged when people enjoy what i do, it makes me very happy that some people "get" what i do .. there is no great mastermind behind it.. so i don't think people have expectations, i think they either dig you or not.. so to those who dig.. THANKYOU . BTW ..(sidenote) i am **** and disorganised at answering fanmail BUT lori is helping me set something up... because she is SO freakily organized.

Fan Submitted Questions:
Is there anything you can relate to with the character you play in the Games of Thrones?
God no... apart from being a mum now, i am excited about bringing a whole new experience to my work.

Aside from Games of Thrones, are they any other projects that we can look forward to?
i haven't worked in so long. i seemed to be offered alot of work when i was pregnant.. obviously i was unable to do any of it.

Describe your character in "Game of Thrones" in 5 words or less.
smart , insecure, ferociously maternal, cutthroat, paranoid.

Would love to know how you are approaching the role of Cersei forGame of Thronesseeing as it's pretty much the first time you’ve been cast in a "villainous" role. Are you looking forward to playing someone the audience will hopefully love to hate?
I am so looking forward to be a villain for once ... i am usually cast as the good moral person.. i shall indulge my imagination in this role.. and just about resist the urge to be ULTRA villainous.

What kind of reseach did you do for your role in Game of Thrones? Have you met George R. R. Martin to discuss your interpretation of the role of Cersei?
I met George though we didn't discuss,he was enjoying a lovely pint or two in scotland with the rest of the cast, i was pregnant.... i think he trusts us to do him proud.

I don't get the feeling that Lena Headey wants to read ASOIAF nor feels that she needs to read it. I'm disheartened by this.