Casting news from the TV series

[Ursa major]

I agree with The Imp; and if Addy had given a reading that was no more than a reprise of one of his previous rôles (for instance the detective in The Thin Blue Line), he wouldn't have been considered for the part in AGoT.

 

[Werthead]

On Westeros.org, Parris says that Addy's casting tape really impressed them. He did the scene where he talks to Ned about Lyanna (in the crypt, I think) and apparently nailed both the "Well met!" stuff of his arrival in Winterfell and then getting emotional whilst thinking about Lyanna. She and George were both very taken with his performance, as obviously were Benioff, Weiss and HBO.

The guy playing Jon Snow is also apparently something special according to Benioff and Weiss. He really stood out from the crowd of other applicants.

 

[Hilarious Joke]

Boy I'm excited.

 

[Boaz]

Me too. Keep the info coming.

 

[Ghost of Harrenhal]

Okay Sean Bean will do a good Ned, I just imagined his face to be more gaunt and slender. Bean has a broader face than I imagined but I always thought he could do a good Ned when we talked about big name actors.

Harry Lloyd is okay for Viserys. Never seen him act I don't think. Was he in Robin Hood? That photo looks like he was. Can't say I was a very big fan of the acting (or lack of) in that series but I think that has more to do with the show itself and the writing staff.

Kit Harrington looks alright to play Jon. I hope his acting matches his looks and that he's not just another teenage pretty boy who wants to act. If he really did stand out at the audition though then I'm guessing he did something to wow the casting team so I think he'll do okay.

Mark Addy for Robert Baratheon... Interesting choice. I've only seen him in bubbly and funny roles like Roland in A Knight's Tale. He looks like he could be imposing as well as a jolly drunk which Robert needs to be but I'm kind of worried about his voice. I imagined Robert would have a deep booming voice like Brian Blessed (who we all know would have been perfect 20 years ago). There is a lot mentioned in the books about how Robert had a commander's voice and how Jon Arryn taught him and Ned that a commander had to shout as well as he could fight.

Lastly, Jack Gleeson for Joffrey. Has no one else noticed that he looks like he is 8 years old? He looks more like a Bran or a Tommen than a Joffrey! At the beginning of the book when the royals come to visit Winterfell, Joffrey and Robb spar off in the training yard. How is this poor kid even going to lift a longsword? And Robb is supposed to look older and stand taller than Jon but the guy playing Jon already looks like he could accidentally kill Jack Gleeson with a pat on the back. I hope he looks a lot older now than he did in all those pictures.

COME ON HBO!

 

[Werthead]

Lastly, Jack Gleeson for Joffrey. Has no one else noticed that he looks like he is 8 years old? He looks more like a Bran or a Tommen than a Joffrey! At the beginning of the book when the royals come to visit Winterfell, Joffrey and Robb spar off in the training yard. How is this poor kid even going to lift a longsword? And Robb is supposed to look older and stand taller than Jon but the guy playing Jon already looks like he could accidentally kill Jack Gleeson with a pat on the back. I hope he looks a lot older now than he did in all those pictures.COME ON HBO!

After much debate, it was discovered that Gleeson is 16, maybe 17 by the time this starts filming. Interestingly they went for a short/small 16-year-old to play a 13-year-old rather than a tall 13-year-old who might be unrecognisable in a couple of seasons.

 

[soulsinging]

After much debate, it was discovered that Gleeson is 16, maybe 17 by the time this starts filming. Interestingly they went for a short/small 16-year-old to play a 13-year-old rather than a tall 13-year-old who might be unrecognisable in a couple of seasons.

Probably wise. In addition, the books can be so dark, especially Joff's role in them, that a younger child might run into problems as they're trying to film scenes of sex and/or torture.

 

[Eulalia]

Good points about Gleeson. I can't wait to see how they all do, and whether or not acting trumps ideal appearance.

I like the guy who plays Ron in Harry Potter. I like his acting, but I do find it distracting sometimes that now he looks quite a bit older than Harry and Hermione. They do a lot of tricks to make him look smaller (camera angles, slumping, rounding his shoulders, sitting) but I notice the effort.

I like Sean Bean, rugged and attractive with emotional range, but will they darken his hair?

Don't know the others but it is nice to hear that they aced the auditions!

What I'm really really looking forward to is having them all finally give voice to the names in the book, so that I know how to pronounce them! There is no getting around that.

 

[TK-421]

Actually, Eddard and Catelyn engage in marital relations just before Luwin brings them Lyssa's message. Both of them should appear topless in that scene... mayhaps bottomless as well. Mayhaps the ladies will see Sean's beans.

Indeed in that scene, Ned stands before the open window, in the cold wind at night naked after he and Cat just got it on. He does ask Cat to cover up after she goes to fire and puts another log on it and she tells him Maester Luwin delivered all her children so to hell with modesty.

Anyways, Bean is a good choice.

Mark Addy's best role was that of Dave in one of the funniest films ever: The Full Monty. He is good for the role.

I wonder if we will see "flashbacks" of the Battle of the Trident or any of the past events that are referred to in the series (like the killing of Aerys by Jaime, etc.). Would make for awesome visuals and better explain the backstory.

 

[Bazza]

I really hope they keep the Tower of Joy scene, that's my favorite passage of the book. Promise me Ned!

 

[Culhwch]

I wonder if we will see "flashbacks" of the Battle of the Trident or any of the past events that are referred to in the series (like the killing of Aerys by Jaime, etc.). Would make for awesome visuals and better explain the backstory.

There have to be flashbacks! I'd imagine, if they're concerned about Addy portraying a younger Baratheon, they could just leave his helm on - the antlers are a dead giveaway.

Of course, not so easy with the Great Tourney scenes...

 

[Syphon of Oor-Tael]

At first, I was outraged. Bean in such a small role? Then I realised that he's got the role of significant literary device. Flashbacks!

 

[The Imp]

What makes this pick brilliant is that if sxomeone hasn't read the books they'll never see it coming when Ned goes bye bye. He should do a great job too.

 

[Hilarious Joke]

I just hope he doesn't try to steal the Ring.

 

[The Imp]

I just hope he doesn't try to steal the Ring.

He'd be advised to try to have a certain axe stolen

 

[Werthead]

"One does not simply walk into GREGOR. He'll tear your head off!"

Oh yeah, the jokes are going to be way old by the time this gets on screen.

 

[purple_kathryn]

It occurs that I may finally have the opportunity to stalk Sean Bean (pardon the pun)

 

[Hilarious Joke]

And us vicariously through you!

 

[Boaz]

Robert: "I want you to be the Hand of the King."
Eddard: "It is a gift."

Arya: "I was in the room with the monsters."
Eddard: "They have a cave troll."

Barristan: "If by my life or death I can save you, I will. You have my sword..."
Pycelle: "And my potions..."
Baelish: "And my coin..."
Eddard: "You carry the fate of us all, fat one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then the North will see it done."

Eddard: "So it is true. In a dream, I saw the Eastern sky grow dark. But in the West, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, "Winter is Coming... Promise me, Ned."

 

[Sereph]

Sorry if this has been discussed before. Was thinking about the comment about Sean Bean and flashbacks and i starting wondering how they will do the flashbacks. For instance in the books the Tower of Joy scene is referred to often but surely they wont be able to constantly throw in the same flashback so which ones do you think will be used and when?