Some casting news to report from some of the competing pilots at HBO. First, David Simon’s new project Treme, is reportedly in talks to cast Steve Zahn (Saving Silverman) in a lead role. He would join the already-cast Kim Dickens (Deadwood), Clark Peters (The Wire), Khandi Alexander (CSI: Miami) and Wendell Pierce (The Wire).
Second, Martin Scorsese’s pilot of Boardwalk Empire, has cast Oscar-nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road). He is just another addition to an already all-star cast which includes Michael Pitt (The Dreamers), Vincent Piazza (Rescue Me, The Sopranos), Kelly MacDonald (No Country for Old Men) and Steve Buscemi (The Sopranos, Fargo).
Winter Is Coming: Both of these pilots look to be certain series pick ups for HBO. Great casts, great producers, writers and directors. I’m sure they will both be good shows so I hope HBO has room for these two plus Thrones.
Another interesting thing I’ve noticed about these casts is the amount of HBO veterans. This might bode well for the chances of Stevenson, McKidd, Skarsgaard and other popular fan suggestions at getting cast.
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15 Comments
Maybe someone should organize a Thrones picket at HBO’s offices?
Joking of course.
RerQuote Reply
that is actually a good idea Rer!!! Winter is Coming….how bout starting an e-mail campaign ….if we all start spreading the word to the fans to start e-mailing HBO to let them know there us serious and widespread interest in this show…Do you have any ideas who we could appeal to at HBO ?
coltaine777Quote Reply
Two pilots with heavy-hitters in their casts. Our project that, by necessity, will have a cast of unknowns. Does this mean we’re going into the competition a few points down? BTW, I strongly feel that GOT should be cast with fresh faces, but it does seem as if it might be a handicap in terms of HBO deciding which pilot(s) to greenlight.
PS: I love the idea of a fan campaign. But, what should we send to HBO?? What about hand-cut snowflakes, for Winter is Coming? Too corny?
JulieWashQuote Reply
Maybe this means Thrones might have to get someone well known to play at least one of the parts. That idea of having someone slightly famous to play Ned, seems like an even better idea now.
BørreQuote Reply
I have always wanted someone with a bit of name to play Ned. I think it is fine because we wall know what happens to Ned, so he (the actor) can’t be a big Diva (re: Christian Bale).
EnchanteQuote Reply
I’m thinking Christian bale would be bad publicity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLXVuy0h29c
RerQuote Reply
I know you said not christian Bale, I was just throwing that out there to confirm what yah said.
I was a browncoat for firefly and would be willing to get involved in something to promote the series.
RerQuote Reply
I’m really looking forward to these two shows, it’s just a shame it feels like it’s making thrones less likely. Surely they wouldn’t waste money on a pilot though if it had no chance?
red snowQuote Reply
Juliewash….I must be corny too then, because I think your idea with snowflakes is really cool LOL
Winter is coming …what are your thoughts on organizing a fan e-mail or letter campaign to HBO….I really think it could be effective(ie snakes on a plane, star trek etc)….just tell us who to contact at HBO ….the fans can spread the word from there !!!
coltaine777Quote Reply
I think any show campaign has to be carefully handled. For instance you don’t want people hearing a “Save AGOT campaign before it is aired as that might actually turn people off watching it.
That and you don’t want to annoy the TV execs either.
The best publicity for this show would be for HBO to have a controlled “leak” of the pilot on the internet or show at comicons and if it’s good the positive buzz will have people gagging for it.
I know that with Heroes the pilot was available months before it aired and i think that had a great deal to do with it’s initial success.
red snowQuote Reply
coltaine777: I think a fan letter campaign could work. But we would need to get a lot of people involved. Many more than read this site on a regular basis. A couple thousand people doing it probably isn't going to even give the HBO execs pause. Tens of thousands and they may take notice. Hundreds of thousands and they might seriously start to consider picking up the series. Millions and they would be stupid not to.
That being said I think it is worth a shot. I will have to do some research on who or where we could send our emails/letters. It also might be better to wait a little while. Let the pilot get further along, let it build some more buzz in the general media, let more ASOIAF fans get on board with the idea of an HBO series.
In the meantime it probably wouldn't hurt just to drop a note to HBO through their general contact form, just to let them know you are really excited by the prospect of seeing Game of Thrones. Here is the link if anyone is interested: http://www.hbo.com/apps/submitinfo/contactus/submit.do?title=Other%20Programming%20Information&questiontype=general
WinterIsComingQuote Reply
I also think it would be madness not to cast a big name for Ned (I’d also get someone famous for Khal Drogo too eg vin diesel).
It’s good that HBO seems to be re-using former HBO cast although I suspect it’s more to do with the writers/producers having worked with those actors in the past. In that sense the likes of Eric Bana, Sean Bean, Brian Cox (or anyone else from Troy). In fact looking at that list there are some great actors who will do TV. Peter o’toole would be perfect as Walder Frey.
Apologies for the bad grammar!
red snowQuote Reply
WinterIsComing…your awesome…you’d make good a general for whatever ‘house’ holds your allegiance LOL… I like your idea on how to approach a potential fan campaign. Looking forward to see what you come up with.
Red Snow…very good points.
coltaine777Quote Reply
I plan on making contact with other sites(including the non-English websites) the moment the time is right. If we need tens of thousands …. We need to organize everyone…all the show and George rr Martin fan web sites need to get on board….I live in canada and the moment the show is confirmed I’ll be ordering Hbo Canada ….here’s hoping
coltaine777Quote Reply
Freamon and The Bunk are on Treme? Hell, I’ll watch it, even though I have no real interest in jazz or New Orleans. Both Pierce and Peters are amazing actors, and fortunately I can’t think of any appropriate roles for them on AGoT, so we’re not losing out.
However, Dominic West (McNulty) seems to me to be a natural choice for a role on AGoT, after his recent turns in 300 and The Devil’s Whore. He could make a solid Ned.
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply