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Game of Thrones to be turned into TV show
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(last edited Dec 07, 2008 10:29PM)
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Dec 07, 2008 10:14PM
Seems that A Game of Thrones shall be soon made into a TV series. I expect we shall see many more fantasy novels and series become adapted for TV and movies since they state that "Fantasy is the most successful genre in terms of feature films given the incredible popularity of the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies." news article
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That's good news. They've been talking about it for a couple of years now, I'm glad they finally decided to do it. I think HBO does a good job with their serial shows. I enjoyed their adaptation of the Sookie Stackhouse books (True Blood).
I'm not as excited about that as I would have been a few months ago. After what they've done to the Sword of Truth series in Legend of the Seeker... ugh.
Well, the Legend of the Seeker is a different network and different producers so it's an unfair comparison. (Of course, I haven't read the Goodkind books so I'm actually enjoying the TV series.) I agree with Rora about what a great job HBO did with True Blood and have high expectations that they will do a similarly excellent job with Martin's work. I have read some of the Sookie Stackhouse books and am probably a better judge of that series :-)
Oh, it's going to be an HBO series? I didn't even realize that. Now that does sound interesting.I do enjoy LotS as it's own fun entertainment TV show. But to say that it's "Wizard's First Rule" is a far stretch. I also think I might be a little more judgemental of LotS because I absolutely LOVE the Sword of Truth series, I've read the whole series through about 5 times.
I'm enjoying LotS as well, probably because I haven't read the SoT series, even though I've had "Wizard's First Rule" on my shelf for about 3 years now. It is a fun show, as long as one is not too critical a viewer. I tend to be very nitpicky, I think because I write fiction myself, and so I'm always keen on catching errors of logic, continuity, etc. that TV scripts invariably make, no matter well written. I decided to follow this series because it's from the same team that did "Hercules" and "Xena, Warrior Princess", two of my all-time fave TV fantasy series, plus it's filmed in New Zealand, which is even more gorgeous in real life than it is on TV!! This show also gives the small cadre of Maori actors some work doing roles other than gang member, hoodlum, troubled youth, or tragic native.To get back to GoT on HBO, because HBO will be doing it, it will actually be made for grown-ups, which is a relief, since so much fantasy TV and movies are made for kids.
I could tell Legend of the Seeker was filmed in NZ, but didn't realize it's the same folks who did Xena and Hercules. I shoulda known! I saw the girl who plays the confessor on The View or I wouldn't have known about it.I think what will make or break Game of Thrones will be the casting choices. Martin's characters are so well described that if they stray too far off, it will annoy his fans. I know I have solid ideas about Ned Stark and they'd better make sure they don't cast some boy toy blonde!! Ned is a manly man, ahem! And definitely a brunette. The Dabel Brothers rendered him perfectly.
I know I have solid ideas about Ned Stark and they'd better make sure they don't cast some boy toy blonde.Yeah, they better not!! 'Specially since Ned Stark is not a boy, but a man well into his 30's, no doubt.
I have the perfect choice for Tyrion Lannister...the British actor Warwick Davis. He's a little person AND has the perfect attitude to carry off Tyrion's sardonic manner.
Anyone else have casting suggestions for the producers of GoT?
What I heard is that HBO greenlit the pilot for Game of Thrones, so as of yet, we are only guaranteed 1 episode. So it'll be up to the ratings as to wheather or not we'll get the full series. But for the quality of it, there is no better place for an adaptation of Martin's works than HBO. He said himself after watching Rome that HBO would be the perfect home for his series, and that was BEFORE it was announced that they'd pick it up.
Wonderful.. Ihave to subscribe to HBO now! :S
So funny about Legend of the Seeker - I watched the show, really liked it so I decided to pick up the book. Now I can't even watch the show anymore! I agree that you have to think of it with a totally different story with characters of the same name. I hope they do better with GoT. And I hope it doesn't make GRRM write any more slowly.
What they've done with the Legend of the Seeker is a travesty. Whoever in the Nine Hells is writing the scripts for this TV series should be drawn and quartered. The sisters of the light appointing Kahlan as the Mother Confessor!!! And who the heck was this other Mother Confessor they came up with. Kahlan was THE LAST mother confessor from the start of the books. Darken Rahl had murdered all the others. AHHHGGGGG!!!!! I'm Currently reading a Game of Thrones so I definately will not be watching HBO's version until I finish it.
Almost 200 pages into Game of Thrones and I still don't know who the main character is!! I've read all this stuff about how good these books are, so I bought the first three in the series. Now I'm beginning to wonder. Does the pace pick up any because I'm really struggling to stay interested?
Brian,There isn't a main character as such. Martin is writing a truly epic style of fantasy in which the events are larger than any one (or two or twelve) characters, so while each plays a part in the broad sweep of history and each occupies our attention for a time (some longer than others), no one character is large enough to be the true center of attention. As a consequence, the characters are on a more human scale--no one needs, through greatness or prophetic specialness or amazing coincidence, to be present at every important event.
That does make it harder for many readers to get into it, and it also leads to the slow start you've noted, but each of the characters does become involved in events that are happening more and more quickly, so I'd say that yes, the pace does pick up.
Hell yeah it picks up. Before long you'll be begging it to slow down again just so you can catch your breath....that's if you like it like I did.....
Thanks. As I said, I bought the first three books, so I plan on reading them all. I guess he's using most of the first book to bring this myriad of characters into the plot and setting the stage for the action to come. I'm just used to the delineation between the good guys(Starks or Lannisters? I haven't figured that out yet) and bad guys(Targaryens?, and I'm not so sure about King Robert) to come a little quicker. But with the number of characters being introduced so far I guess I just need to be patient and keep reading, so I'll press on and hopefully It'll become a little clearer.
Hey, I've read all four books and I'm not sure who all of the good and bad guys are.......I would say that the Starks and Targaryens are protagonists, and for the most part, "good guys". That being the characters of Bran, Jon, Ned, Robb, Arya, and Dany mostly.....
The Lannisters are mostly "bad guys", but they aren't all bad. Even the bad ones have good qualities. There is a lot of room for redemption in many of these characters....
But a lot of the good/bad will end up depending on a point of view. My assumptions above are based mostly on the POV perspectives that Martin has given us to work from. As he moves those around to other characters (and other 'sides') you get their perspective and can really see things from their angle....
that's what I love most about this series. It's not all black and white. And that makes sense, as even most "evil" characters don't think they are evil. It is rare to see a character stand up and say "I'm going to do dastardly things because I have a black heart". Those are one-dimensional villains that deserve to be beaten and killed. The grey ones are much more sympathetic.
Chris: I totally agree with you. I'm reading the second book now, and one of the things that I loved about the first book was that there really weren't "good guys" and "bad guys". Because of the fact that there really isn't one main character, but a multitude of "main" characters, you can see things from a variety of perspectives. It is a unique way to see things. Rarely in this world can we find someone who is inherently evil, and Martin conveys that in his series. Like you said, even the "bad guys" don't consider themselves evil.
Lots of great reading ahead for you, Kelsey. You should also try to read "The Hedge Knight." It's a story he wrote that happens 100 years or so before the main series. It was what got me hooked.Do you think it's ironic that we read fantasy for an escape, yet are drawn to a series that has so many realistic elements?
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll totally look into that. It really is ironic...
I like fantasy to be a little bit realistic so that I can connect to the characters and understand why they do what they do. I guess it's just the whole human experience...
Nice explanation. It's easier to suspend belief when there are believable aspects to ground ourselves in....
Filming is to happen in Northern Ireland, so things are starting to move. It will be good drama, but of course, what everyone is wondering, is can Martin write the books fast enough to keep ahead of any green-lighted series?
If they truly do one season per book, he has 4 out there now. If we can assume (big leap) that he'll have book 5 out in the near future, he'll have that much head start. He would have roughly 5 years (or more the way they space out a series now) to write Book 6 to stay ahead, and the chances of any series lasting that long on HBO is not great. Still, even Martin could have a book out in 5 years. Though I personally feel that if they have 3 great wonderful seasons based on his books, Season 4 will turn off too many fans and end up tanking the series altogether.....
Or they could give it over to Sam Raimi and make it into a Hercules/Xena clone with lots of cheesy action and lame dialogue......
So I assume everyone's keeping tabs on this one, but just in case, I thought I'd give a quck update: Peter Dinklage has been cast as Tyrion Lannister, and Holly Marie Combs will play Catelyn Stark. Peter Dinklage played Trumpkin in "Prince Caspian", and was the star of the sadly overlooked "The Station Agent", while Holly Marie Combs is apparently best known for playing someone on the show, "Charmed", which I never saw. No futher updates yet, but it's nice to see that things are rolling...
Peter Dinklage is perfect for Tyrion. :)
Elise wrote: "Peter Dinklage is perfect for Tyrion. :)"I agree. Really great casting decision there.
I adore Holly Marie Combs, but I don't know if she fits my mental image of Lady Catelyn. She might even be too young. Then again, she can probably pull it off...Dinklage should be just about perfect.....
Thanks for the news on this one. Peter Dinklage is perfect--the obvious and best choice possible--as many of us have posted. No question there.Holly Marie Combs is a good actress, but I definitely imagined someone older for Catelyn Stark. I'll wait to pass judgement on her after I've seen the pilot. I think Eddard Stark will be critical, as will all of the kids. I wonder how much they can really do with the kids. There are just so many characters. Arya has to be awesome, as does Jon Snow.
It's just so exciting to see the news on this. HBO is the place for it to be. They've done a marvelous job with: Rome, True Blood, and The Wire.
Paul Genesse
Author of The Dragon Hunters
Book Two of the Iron Dragon Series
I daresay the pool of little person actors of sufficient talent AND who are the right age to play a convincing Tyrion was fairly small--no pun intended. Hooray for Peter Dinklage. I'm very interested in who will land the role of Jaime. It has to be an actor of stunning good looks AND excellent acting chops. If Johnny Depp were 15 years younger and blond, I'd love to see him in the role.
Holly Marie Combs does not seem like a catelyn stark to me. But I would rather wait to hold judgement on her. I look forward to see who will play Cersei Lannister-Baratheon!
Tatiana wrote: "I look forward to see who will play Cersei Lannister-Baratheon! "I always thought Nicole Kidman would hit her dead-on...
Chris wrote: I always thought Nicole Kidman would hit her dead-on..."She would be a fantastic Cersei! If they cannot find someone like her I would think an unknown would probably better since Cersei is such a strong character. But who knows, maybe we will get lucky! :)
Chris wrote: "I adore Holly Marie Combs, but I don't know if she fits my mental image of Lady Catelyn. She might even be too young. Then again, she can probably pull it off...Dinklage should be just about perf..."
I'm not sure Combs fits my image of Catelyn either, but she is a good actress. We shall see. The addition of her does make the show a bit more worthwhile to me at least.
Recent tweet from @FantasyCafe - There is an interview with George R.R. Martin @ http://www.montrealgazette.com/audio/...He discusses the new HBO series coming up as well as discussing the next book in A Song of Ice and Fire.
THE FULL CAST:Sean Bean as Eddard Stark
Jennifer Ehle as Catelyn Stark
Richard Madden as Robb Stark
Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark
Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark
Kit Harington as Jon Snow
Joseph Mawle as Benjen Stark
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy
Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon
Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane
Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen
Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen
Jason Momoa as Drogo
Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont
Damn this is going to be great!
Wow, they're already done filming the pilot--we'll find out in March whether or not HBO picks it up for a full season. *fingers crossed*
It is great news but now all the characters in my head are going to have different faces. I think they did a great job casting and I can't wait to see exactly what everyone looks like especially Tyrion. We will see how they match up to the versions in my head. I know that Richard and Kahlan are different now that I've watched "Legend of the Seeker" but I still try to hold on to my original thoughts about them.
I am particularly happy about Sean Bean (who played Boromir in the LotR) as Eddard Stark. I think he is perfect for Eddard, but it sucks he will only be around for one season. :( He died in the first part of LotR as well. Also, Mark Addy will be awesome as Robert.
