Casting news from the TV series

[Ursa major]

Whose name is not spelled Jaime, by the looks of it; which is why we'll have to wait until someone says the Kingslayer's name in the pilot.


(GRRM's presence should mean that this sort of thing, at least, will be canon.)

 

[Culhwch]

Whatever, I wouldn't mind if they had novel accents. I'm tired of every fantasy ever using European accents. It's really odd to imagine this world with an entirely different linguistic tradition developing the same accents as say, England.

But not odd at all to imagine them developing such strikingly similar weaponry, chivalry and heraldry?

 

[Boaz]

Ursa, I've read that GRRM said that Jaime rhymes with name, blame, and game. Jaime does not rhyme with Amy nor with "Hi, May."

I have an uncle Jaimie. Not an aunt.

Is that him in your avatar?

Cul, long time, no see. Good point.

 

[Werthead]

Dan Weiss and Dave Benioff on the casting decision:

"Hello All--

We're happy that you guys are happy! Tom brings to the project not only great vision and expertise, but a tremendous respect for the material; he was our first choice, and we're very lucky to have him. And of course, Peter was our dream Tyrion. Sometimes, when you wish upon a red comet, dreams really do come true.

The rest of the casting decisions are less clear cut, and will no doubt inspire more debate. But please keep it all coming: agreements, disagreements... and most of all, your suggestions. We really do appreciate and listen to them.

[Do keep in mind that, with the exception of Peter, all other roles will most likely be UK-based, which means they will probably have to belong to British Actors' Equity (for guild-related reasons).]

That's all for now. More news to follow.

D&D"

Sweet. By the way, quite a few non-British actors have Equity cards, ranging from the "No way we're getting them for this project," (Mel Gibson, Kevin Spacey) to the entirely plausible (Alan Dale, James Marsters).

Is that him in your avatar?

ZING!

 

[The Imp]

Mel Gibson's involvement would create a dilemma for me, as I'm boycotting anything he's involved with.

 

[Werthead]

Mel Gibson's involvement would create a dilemma for me, as I'm boycotting anything he's involved with.

He won't be involved I was just pointing out that quite a few Americans have Equity cards as well.

I was actually thinking that Spacey is not altogether impossible. He's spending a chunk of the year living in London working on theatre projects, and could be available. I think if the role interested him, he'd be up for it. Ten years ago I'd have said he was a shoe-in for Littlefinger.

 

[The Imp]

He won't be involved I was just pointing out that quite a few Americans have Equity cards as well.

I was actually thinking that Spacey is not altogether impossible. He's spending a chunk of the year living in London working on theatre projects, and could be available. I think if the role interested him, he'd be up for it. Ten years ago I'd have said he was a shoe-in for Littlefinger.

i'd pay money to see Robbie Coltrane as King Robert.

 

[Culhwch]

Ursa, I've read that GRRM said that Jaime rhymes with name, blame, and game. Jaime does not rhyme with Amy nor with "Hi, May."

I could have sworn I saw (and despaired over) the opposite, that GRRM said 'Jaime' is in fact pronounced 'Jamie'. I have a distinct memory of crying for a week.

Cul, long time, no see. Good point.

I still lurk. Been busy, sadly. Don't worry, when aDwD or aGoT:TS hits I'll be around...

 

[Hilarious Joke]

I am quite excited.

 

[The Imp]

I could have sworn I saw (and despaired over) the opposite, that GRRM said 'Jaime' is in fact pronounced 'Jamie'. I have a distinct memory of crying for a week.



I still lurk. Been busy, sadly. Don't worry, when aDwD or aGoT:TS I'll be around...

For what it's worth, Roy Dotrice reads it as Jay-me when doing the audiobooks. I don't know if GRRM OKd this or any other pronunciations.

 

[Boaz]

Okay, someone's going to have to be a research monkey and find out the truth on pronounciation. I vote that TK does it.

 

[TK-421]

Is that him in your avatar?

He/she is a fun guy/gal to be around.

Anywho, joking aside, you really want me to do some work on this thread...here's some earlier discussion where we beat these horses bloody:

Character name pronunciations

 

[Ursa major]

And from that ancient thread:

When I was at the GRRM book signing a few months back, he mentioned that some of the pronunciations in the audio books were not correct. I wish I could remember the specific examples he cited, though. I *think* Petyr was one. I think. Maybe.

I'll still wait for the HBO pilot. (Unless, that is, purple kathryn can get on the set as an extra - I think she mentioned that she might like to do this - and give us advanced notice of the pronunciations.)

 

[Hilarious Joke]

I pronounce Jaime as 'orr-sum'.

 

[purple_kathryn]

And from that ancient thread:



I'll still wait for the HBO pilot. (Unless, that is, purple kathryn can get on the set as an extra - I think she mentioned that she might like to do this - and give us advanced notice of the pronunciations.)

I'd not hold out much hope for that if I were you, but you never know.

 

[Werthead]

Casting breakdowns are doing the rounds as casting for A GAME OF THRONES continues in Belfast, Dublin, London and Los Angeles. One of the more interesting pieces of news to emerge from this is that several characters who do not appear in A FEAST FOR CROWS (like Theon), or appear only very briefly (like Jon) are listed as been needed for 'all seasons' (in Jon's case) or for Season 4 having skipped Season 3 (in Theon's case).

Whilst not definitive, this seems to strongly support what had previously been suggested: that HBO do not want to give half the cast a whole season off and will be combining the events of Books 4 and 5 into one season.

This to me is a good idea. The show as it stands is going to have some logistical difficulties as it is with the younger actors aging slightly more than they should do as the story develops, and reducing the narrative pace and urgency for a more relaxed, shorter fouth season would seem to be a mistake.

Of course, this gives GRRM a whole year less to finish the last two books before the TV series catches up with him.

Other news: Season 1 may be 10 episodes long, which fits with the book being 800 pages and the first episode covering about 80 pages. This also gives HBO more episodes for later seasons if the show becomes a success. By my reckoning, Season 2 will need 11-12 episodes and Season 3 around 13-15 given the sheer lengths of the books.

Interestingly, the LA casting directors have been looking to cast Jaime, Cersei and Khal Drogo in America. This may fit as Dinklage is American and they may have decided to go with American accents for the Lannisters and other characters from the Westerlands. Interesting to see if that is really the case.

 

[thaddeus6th]

Look. Just stop it.

How am I meant to get any work done when people keep discussing Dragon Age: Origins, ASOIAF videogames and now this?!

If I get fired consider yourselves blamed

Also, audiobooks are now going to cram my Amazon basket just a little bit more.

 

[southron sword]

Interestingly, the LA casting directors have been looking to cast Jaime, Cersei and Khal Drogo in America. This may fit as Dinklage is American and they may have decided to go with American accents for the Lannisters and other characters from the Westerlands.

I actually would like this. I always pictured the Lannisters with American accents. I always saw them as rich and fancy and living the high life, and i asociate that with the USA. (Not that i think all Americans are living the high life). Bright lights and big cities you see. Not so sure about Khal Drogo. Id look in Brazil for a big tanned bloke with long mistachios.

 

[Werthead]

Here's the casting notes for Khal Drogo:

[ KHAL DROGO ]
(Male), 30, is a powerful warlord of the Dothraki with a huge, physically imposing physique and commanding presence (think pro-wrestler body). A savage, nomadic, tribal nation of riders who raid and pillage across the great continent east of Westeros. He is a rugged, primal and virile warrior who has never been defeated in battle and is both loved and feared by his followers, who are known as his khalasar. The exiled princess Daenerys Targaryen is his new bride but communication between them proves difficult, as Drogo doesn't speak the Common Tongue (English). Note: Drogo and his Dothraki people form a distinct race, ethnically different from the natives of Westeros. PREFER ACTORS OF MIDDLE EASTERN HERITAGE. 9 Episodes. Season 1.

Interesting.

 

[The Imp]

Dwayne (The Rock) johnson would be perfect, at least physically.