HBO greenlights A Game of Thrones pilot!

[keg in kc]

EDIT: Changed the original header to mark this as the thread where spoilers are allowed (but not necessarily recommended...). Created a new, spoiler-free thread for Ice and Fire virgins...


This is awesome...

Huge, Huge News

Nov. 11th, 2008 at 10:29 PM

HBO has given the production order.

They will be filming the pilot episode of A GAME OF THRONES.

It's just the pilot so far. They'll need to see that before they decide whether to proceed with a full season's episodes. So let's all hope the pilot will kick serious ass.

It should. David Benioff and Dan Weiss did a terrific job with the script. And yes, all of you can relax, it's very faithful. Dan and David will be the executive producers for the pilot and (we hope) the eventual series.

More details when I have 'em. The news is very fresh. HBO just issued their own press release, which should be up on their website soon, if it's not there already.

Winter is coming to HBO. Hot damn.

[keg in kc]

This is completely unrelated to anything that happens on the show: I was initially lukewarm about the title sequence and the music over it, but I've grown to like it after three weeks.

[underEJ]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

This is completely unrelated to anything that happens on the show: I was initially lukewarm about the title sequence and the music over it, but I've grown to like it after three weeks.

And they fixed the sigils that were incorrect so it's much better!

[DJ's left nut]

Major major MAJOR MAJOR spoiler and question....

Seriously, don't click on this if you haven't finished the book.

Spoiler!

How can season 2 be as good as season 1? The scene on the Kings Road with the King reminded me how truly great an actor Bean is. With him dead, exactly who carries season 2?

I haven't read the 2nd book, but it appears that Robb, Renly, Jon, Cersei/Joff and Dany will play the critical roles. Dany's a boring character, so I don't think she can carry a show. The rest of them just don't have strong enough actors to really carry a show. Even if Cersei becomes a spectacular character; a raw villain w/ her 'baggage' at that point couldn't carry a show. Nobody's going to be okay with Ned's killer as the central figure.

Who steps up and carries that show without Sean Bean? Who is your noble hero to push that kind of story forward? Do the actors that play Robb and Snow really have the chops for it? I gotta tell ya, I don't see it.

[allen_kcCard]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Major major MAJOR MAJOR spoiler and question....

Seriously, don't click on this if you haven't finished the book.

Spoiler!

How can season 2 be as good as season 1? The scene on the Kings Road with the King reminded me how truly great an actor Bean is. With him dead, exactly who carries season 2?

I haven't read the 2nd book, but it appears that Robb, Renly, Jon, Cersei/Joff and Dany will play the critical roles. Dany's a boring character, so I don't think she can carry a show. The rest of them just don't have strong enough actors to really carry a show. Even if Cersei becomes a spectacular character; a raw villain w/ her 'baggage' at that point couldn't carry a show. Nobody's going to be okay with Ned's killer as the central figure.

Who steps up and carries that show without Sean Bean? Who is your noble hero to push that kind of story forward? Do the actors that play Robb and Snow really have the chops for it? I gotta tell ya, I don't see it.

Spoiler!

Oh man....with you not having read book 2, trying to pick and choose words carefully.

Lets just say, that Tyrion kicks ass, Jaime has a lot more to him, and there are some good characters that haven't even been met yet. If I hadn't read the books already, I would have the same concerns as you as far as losing a character like Ned, but as far as characters go, GRRM does a great job of filling voids. Losing Bean is something beyond that, but I am guessing there will be plenty of flashbacks to get him cameos as well.

[keg in kc]

Oh just wait until you read book 2, then you'll probably wonder why you asked that question.

[Huffmeister]

Spoiler!

I agree with allen_kcCard, and wanted to add that there are a few other characters that you don't meet in the first book that play a pretty significant role in carrying the story forward.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

Spoiler!

Oh man....with you not having read book 2, trying to pick and choose words carefully.

Lets just say, that Tyrion kicks ass, Jaime has a lot more to him, and there are some good characters that haven't even been met yet. If I hadn't read the books already, I would have the same concerns as you as far as losing a character like Ned, but as far as characters go, GRRM does a great job of filling voids. Losing Bean is something beyond that, but I am guessing there will be plenty of flashbacks to get him cameos as well.

Spoiler!

I'm always guilty of wanting to know more than I should, but surely Jaime doesn't become a noble figure. This kind of show needs a hero to drive it; it can't be fueled just by hatred of a central villain.

And you're right, I'm less concerned with the books (they'll be fine) as I am the show. Losing Bean as an actor will be a nasty blow to that show, IMO. I suppose you're right, flashbacks could keep him in it, but they won't be enough to built around. I hadn't considered Tyrian, but throughout its seemed like he's going to be a completely different character than we first thought he was. While the actor's been fantastic in the role, can a dwarf really be that guy?

[allen_kcCard]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Spoiler!

I'm always guilty of wanting to know more than I should, but surely Jaime doesn't become a noble figure. This kind of show needs a hero to drive it; it can't be fueled just by hatred of a central villain.

And you're right, I'm less concerned with the books (they'll be fine) as I am the show. Losing Bean as an actor will be a nasty blow to that show, IMO. I suppose you're right, flashbacks could keep him in it, but they won't be enough to built around. I hadn't considered Tyrian, but throughout its seemed like he's going to be a completely different character than we first thought he was. While the actor's been fantastic in the role, can a dwarf really be that guy?

Spoiler!

I wouldn't go so far as to say noble, but far more complex most definately. And, the idea of a central villain for you might be way off as well. And, as for the last part...I could read an entire series based on this particualr dwarf and love it I think.

[keg in kc]

There isn't really a central figure to the show, even now. And while I like Bean a lot, and think he's quite good on this show, it's not like he's head and shoulders above the rest of the cast. There are some terrific performers.

And I think you have to kind of move past the idea of nobility, heroes and villains. There's going to be a lot more shades of gray.

Spoiler!

There is one important character you're forgetting about, one who's pretty chilly right about now. He and Tyrion both have some great stuff in books 2 and 3.

And it just occured to me: oh man, if you haven't read book 2 and beyond, I'm not sure I wouldn't get the heck out of this thread now.

[allen_kcCard]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

There isn't really a central figure to the show, even now. And while I like Bean a lot, and think he's quite good on this show, it's not like he's head and shoulders above the rest of the cast. There are some terrific performers.

And I think you have to kind of move past the idea of nobility, heroes and villains. There's going to be a lot more shades of gray.

Spoiler!

There is one important character you're forgetting about, one who's pretty chilly right about now. He and Tyrion both have some great stuff in books 2 and 3.

And it just occured to me: oh man, if you haven't read book 2 and beyond, I'm not sure I wouldn't get the heck out of this thread now.

Agreed. I was biting my tongue a LOT.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

And it just occured to me: oh man, if you haven't read book 2 and beyond, I'm not sure I wouldn't get the heck out of this thread now.

I haven't read a ton of it. I just stick my head in, ask a question, wait for an answer then get out.

I haven't screwed anything up yet.

[Blankey]

Originally Posted by TrickyNicky

I don't know if there will be a melee.

If you look at the parchment, it says something like "The Combat with Swords & Clubs."
Not sure why they wouldn't have the melee, it's one of the cooler moments in the early goings.

[Swanman]

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

Agreed. I was biting my tongue a LOT.

Would anyone else be interested in a thread that is only for those that have read all four books? I am dying to have some discussions about where we think things are headed for Dance with Dragons but don't want to ruin it for any wandering eyes.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Swanman

Would anyone else be interested in a thread that is only for those that have read all four books? I am dying to have some discussions about where we think things are headed for Dance with Dragons but don't want to ruin it for any wandering eyes.

I think a Dance with Dragons thread for July would be great. I've got to reread all four at some point before then.

[Swanman]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think a Dance with Dragons thread for July would be great. I've got to reread all four at some point before then.

Since you are the Song of Ice and Fire threadmaster, do you want to get it started? I can do it as well.