George R. R. Martin updated his Not A Blog with a post saying that casting continues for the pilot of Game of Thrones. Unfortunately he isn’t able to give us many specifics or a timetable as to when there might be another an announcement.
Casting on the HBO pilot of A GAME OF THRONES continues, but there’s not much I can say about it, except in generalities. Another of the supporting roles has been filled, I am told, and offers have been made on several more. Now we’re waiting to see if those deals will close, which of course depends on things like schedule, terms, money, and such. If all the pieces fall into place, we’ll have some exciting and talented additions to the cast.
No, I have no idea when HBO will make their next cast announcement.
Two major roles and some small ones remain unfilled as I write.
Looks like I will be flying over to Ireland to watch some of the filming. Still trying to figure out the dates. Since I will be over there anyway, it seems like a good opportunity to meet some of my Irish fans, so I will likely be doing a couple of signings while I’m there. One in Belfast, almost certainly, and maybe a second in Dublin. We’ll see what arrangements can be made. Details will here and on my Appearances page, once I know ‘em.
Winter Is Coming: With a little over one month to go before filming begins, I expect there will be only one more casting announcement. My guess is it won’t be released until just prior to the filming start date, Oct. 27. So get ready for a longer wait than normal on this one.
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104 Comments
First?
lexQuote Reply
Heheh, that was my first "first" ever, on the internet.
lexQuote Reply
Who is the last major character to be cast? I've lost track. Bran?
ddaimyoQuote Reply
Yes, Bran is still uncast.
RobertQuote Reply
But he said "two" major roles remain uncast. Bran and…?
lexQuote Reply
Two major roles uncast… Obvious choices would be Bran and Drogo, but it's possible George's idea of "major" may differ from ours, since he know most of what happens in ADwD, and almost certainly an outline of the events until the end of the series. So my list of possibilities would be this:
Bran Definitely major
Pycelle Plays a significant role so far, and not dead yet. Largely thought to be cast and then written out of episode 1, but we might be wrong.
Drogo Definitely major in book 1
Illyrio Noteworthy in book 1, and we know he's in ADwD
Rickon Seems unlikely he'll get more important, due to his extreme youth, but it's possible. And being a Stark makes him important by association.
You could also make a good argument for Maester Luwin being a pretty major character.
DemokritosQuote Reply
I'd put Luwin in as a major character, definitely.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
As I might have mentioned in an earlier thread, I think some characters will appear more prominent once they're moved out of the book and onto the screen.
*SPOILER*
I'm thinking of the scenes between Maester Luwin and Theon later in the series. Not necessarily huge in the books, but could be quite powerful on screen.
*SPOILER*
For his presence and involvement with the other characters, I'd put him on the level of Doc Cochran in Deadwood.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Hrm…In reading what I just wrote, however, I realize in the context of the "two major roles" he mentions, that I just don't think Luwin is it.
I think the obvious choices are the right ones in this case. Bran and Drogo.
However…
My paranoid streak can't help but act up again:
"Now we're waiting to see if those deals will close, which of course depends on things like schedule, terms, money, and such."
Again, with McCann's casting being hinted at and then never announced, it makes me wonder if something happened in the final stages.
I like him for the role, and know that this is pure paranoia on my part. Still, reassurances are welcome.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
@Paul
I think the chances of George hinting at something before it was totally official are very low. Then again, there could have been a misunderstanding that made him think it was 100% official, or things could have somehow catastrophically fallen apart anyway.
Definitely agree that Bran and Drogo are by far the most likely, and that Luwin is probably not one of the two. A tricky thing about such a sprawling series is that a character (like Luwin) can be seen as major compared to some, but not others. If you took all the chapters involving Bran and turned those into a stand-alone story, Luwin would definitely be a very major character. In the context of the series as a whole, though, he's not even in the top 20. Of course, in the series as a whole, you could definitely make a case for Pycelle being more major than Drogo, but my guess is that George is talking at least partly in terms of book/season 1.
DemokritosQuote Reply
Pretty certain it's Drogo and Bran who have yet to be cast.
I understand why Bran is so hard, but Drogo I thought would be somewhat easier. They are being really picky, I guess – everyone so far is a real actor first and foremost it seems, not just a type. To many guys out there who look like Drogo, I'm sure, just rely on being a type to get their parts and don't develop their acting enough.
I wonder if they've hit the Bollywood agencies looking to fill that role? Bollywood puts out so many production it actually dwarfs Hollywood in sheer numbers of movies made per year. There's bound to be some really big guys in the industry there who also have a lot of credits to their name and maybe some real acting chops, not to mention an appropriate look.
BrudeQuote Reply
Bollywood is a great idea. The fact that Drogo doesn't speak a lot of English would be a good reason to go to a bunch of different countries, actually.
Again, the one reason I think it could take a long time to cast Drogo is if there's internal debate over the ethnicity of the Dothraki.
We've not always seen eye-to-eye on the board about the practicality of shooting in Morocco vs. the book description. There's a chance there's a mirrored discussion going on over at HBO. If that's the case, it's possible that a change of mind knocked a couple of potential Drogos out of the running.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Luwin isn't really that interesting until the scenes with Theon really. Whoever plays Drogo has to be a good actor to pull off the role because of its lack of dialogue (English dialogue anyway). btw, as a side, what about Faran Tahir http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846687/ as one of the Bloodriders?
ddaimyoQuote Reply
I've said before that McCann's casting was not announced because HBO doesn't think of Sandor Clegane as being a major role worthy of an announcement. People immediately and vehemently disagreed with me but I still think I am right on that point.
SergioCQHQuote Reply
I actually think this is a good point. My paranoia stemmed from Headey being announced without him coupled with a suspension of clues. It can be explained away with: Headey was an exclusive and McCann is being saved for the group announcement, and the official announcement is so far away that any clues at this point would be waiting too long for a payoff. So, yeah, paranoia, nothing more.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Agreed.
MarkoQuote Reply
Hi, I forgot to mention that I had a long chat with Kiran Shah on set last week (he is doing stunt work on YH). I mentioned GOT to him and he told me that he is a big fan. He knew about GRRM and has read all the books. He said he would love to be involved in GOT so I said that maybe we would cross paths at the Paint Hall again. It was a privilege meeting a true legend in the movie/stunt world. He was even an Ewok!!
I have to stress this was just him and I chewing the fat and nothing more should be read into it than that but I just thought I'd let you know that he is a GOT fan.
rimshot44Quote Reply
Off topic: Where can I get 'The Sworn Sword'? I've got the two 'Dreamsongs' books so I've read 'The Hedge Knight', and I'm definitely gonna pick up 'Warriors' when I get a chance, but I want to read the 2nd one first, obviously. Where was it published? Any1 know if I can download the e-book anywhere?
On topic: Harwin has still to be cast. He is a small role but if he is in the pilot (non-speaking) he might be getting rapped up. Hullen also, but he is very minor. There are alot of characters at Winterfell tbh – but other than Drogo, Bran and Pycelle, I don't think there are any that could be considered major.
MozartQuote Reply
Rimshot: Cool story! He could definitely be Dinklage's stunt double during the battle scenes. If he was willing to take on a non-acting role.
Mozart: The Sword Sword was published in Legends II. I was able to get a copy from my local library, looks like you can get the ebook here.
WinterIsComingQuote Reply
Maybe my view is biased from recently re-reading A Storm of Swords, but might not Tywin Lannister be considered major?
(First post here, but I'm a big fan — can't wait for the series!)
MichelleQuote Reply
I absolutely loved the Hedge Knight and part 2, the Sworn Sword, especially the former. It's my favorite short story of all time. It was GRRM at his absolute best.
If you guys haven't read the graphic novel versions of the Hedge Knight and Sworn Sword, you should check it out. They are told in first person narrative, but are still faithful to the feel of the books, even using much of the same language, and the drawings are fantastic, particularly of the tourney.
I think the first Hedge Knight story in particular would make an outstanding stand-alone HBO movie in-between seasons. Since it is set 100 or so years before the plot of the series, it would be a completely different cast. This is not without precedent: Battlestar Gallactica did an ancillary movie to compliment their series, and it worked very well.
shadallionQuote Reply
Michelle, I think so, but he doesn't appear in the pilot, so most likely won't be one of the "two majors" yet to be cast.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Still, I gotta say that Tywin is definitely a character I hope a big name fills. Staring down the folks they have playing the Lannisters isn't going to be that easy.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Tywin Lannister is definitely one of the best characters in the books. He may not get a lot of face-time, but he is the absolute dominant character whenever he is in the room.
Doesn't have to be a big name, but the actor needs to be intense.
shadallionQuote Reply
Since we're on the topic of casting, I haven't seen a certain character mentioned on WiC yet: Ilyn Payne. The dude doesn't talk but he has to look creepy/scary/imposing as hell.
KukashQuote Reply
Andrew Divoff is Ilyn Payne. Right down to the scary look and the pock marks.
As for Tywin, I always pictured Alan Dale when I was reading.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Shadallion, I'll go with the "can be intense without being a big name" thing. I think my preference for the big name in this case goes to meta-casting. If someone more famous than Dinklage is cast as Tywin, he'll be overshadowed by his father both in the context of the story and subconsciously in the viewer.
I'm hoping for the same thing when Euron Greyjoy and Mance Rayder arrives, where the popularity of their actors serves to inform the fame/regard they hold in the world.
(This phenomenon was done to great effect with the commanding officers in Hot Fuzz.)
Again, however, this is just something I'd like to see, and not for everyone. I'm still in favor of a complete unknown for Brienne, for example. It's not a requirement for me to be happy by any means, and I acknowledge the fact that whomever HBO chooses for these roles will be great, regardless of their level of fame.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Many people have noted that there may be a pause between season 2 and 3 (as they evaluate the BBC/HBO partnerhsip, and DVD sales before pulling the trigger on committing for more of the show).
As such, the Hedge Knight would be a fairly easy way to keep the fandom engaged in the series, while providing some backstory for those who are watching the show, but haven't read the books…
PatEllis15Quote Reply
Legion, I'm right with you on Andrew Divoff. He's perfect. As for Alan Dale, I hadn't thought of him, but he could work.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Do we have any kind of age range on casting Ilyn Payne? What about Edward James Olmos or Robert Davi? Olmos might be little short at 5'10" but Davi is 6'3".
gofalconsQuote Reply
Neither look as scary as Divoff, but both have the pock marks.
Sticking with Divoff for now.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Also, from Tower of the Hand:
Physical Description: He is gaunt, with a pockmarked face. He has only a few wisps of hair remaining around his ears, which he has grown long like a woman's hair. His eyes are colorless.
Divoff is gaunt. Olmos and Davi aren't.
Pockmarks alone don't make Ilyn Payne for me.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Divoff has been my Payne forever. He has the intensity in his eyes that would make him perfect along with looks.
He does absolutely loads though, so I have no idea if he would commit to a series. On saying that, Payne isn't in it much, and Divoff was a sem-regular in Lost recently.
Paul, if you're feeling the urge, and his contact details are freely avaliable, maybe you could let his agent know what we think?
legion_quest666Quote Reply
My husband and I both agreed that we'd both independently thought of David Bradley as Ilyn Payne.
Having a tough time to find a good picture of him to do a comparison because almost all pictures I can find are of him as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter movies, so he's a very docile, grumpy scary. But I'm fairly confident he'd be able to do menacing/chilling well.
Comparison photo
AshliQuote Reply
@legion – Not only does he have the right look, but he has such a perfect voice for Tywin.
AshliQuote Reply
David Bradley was great as a featured extra in a Tudors episode I saw the other day, but I think one of his best features is his voice, which he wouldn't get to use as Payne.
In terms of comparison with that 'photo' he does look right, but it's still all Divoff for me.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
And I'm guessing Ashli, you agree about Dale for Tywin?
I think he is really the right guy for the job, and likely obtainable. Plus he has a habit of taking a big role, and then dying.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Yep, I realized after making my post I could've been a lot more specific.
I can't remember who GRRM has cited as his "dream casting" for Tywin, but I remember really loving that actor's look as well. But Dale has such a commanding voice and presence, he'd be so hard to pass up IMO.
AshliQuote Reply
Legion, I put a note out about this discussion to Divoff's agent. (Normally I like sending it to publicists, but I didn't have that information.)
Which reminds me, I heard back from Garret Dillahunt's publicist:
from Elizabeth Much
to Paul Gude
date Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 12:30 PM
subject RE: Garret Dillahunt and Game of Thrones
Hi Paul-
It’s wonderful to know that Garret has so many fans out there. I’ll be sure to share this with him. I really have no idea what’s happening with this role but hopefully, your positive thoughts will be helpful!
All my best,
Elizabeth
I wrote back a quick note letting her know that the fans love hearing back from people, and we think there'd be several roles for which he'd work.
I'd still love to see him in this.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Still think he would be a brilliant Bronn, Dillahunt that is.
And awesome on the Divoff note, you Paul, are a legend.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Divoff and Bradley are both great suggestions for Ilyn Payne. Bradley's closer to how I imagined Payne: mostly because he's older. Not sure about any specific age references, though. The "only a few wisps of hair remaining around his ears" thing is probably why I picture him as older, but it's almost certainly at least partly due to trauma, as most guys old enough to have only a few wisps left from age would not be strong enough to behead people. Divoff looks great, too, though, and the only things I'd want changed would be easy for the costume people to do, I'm sure.
Keep up the good work writing emails, Paul. Always exciting to know the discussions here could hypothetically translate into actual decisions in the project, and if Garret Dillahunt (Or any of the other people you've mentioned emails about) gets cast, the excitment will go up exponentially.
DemokritosQuote Reply
Figured I'd let you guys in on some unreleased footage from the show!
GRRMPYQuote Reply
@Paul Gude….once again very nice work….I'm so happy that your being proactive …absolutely love that your making contact with the actor reps….it can't hurt…now how bout contacting Micheal Hogan and Colm Freore ?…do you take request ?LOL …. Just kidding … Your already doing great….
coltaine777Quote Reply
Who did people want Colm Freore to play? I loved him in Titus. (Sadly, not as familiar with Michael Hogan. I missed the bus on BSG, since it started just as I lost cable.)
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Colm Freore is a go to guy for villains, so I'd quite like to see him go against type and be a measter.
On saying that, I think he'd be a great Victarion when we get there.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
For those interested in script discussions, we're still having a fruitful one under the Which Episode Will GRRM Write heading (below).
It's a little off topic, but interesting. Join in! I want more inserted scene ideas.
About Yea HighQuote Reply
@Paul Gude and Legion_quest666…I've only ever seen Colm Freore in Canadian movie and television programs…I now think Mr.Freore would be an excellent Tywin or Davos :..please contact his reps and as for Mr .Hogan…Tywin
coltaine777Quote Reply
This is well into the future but I'd love to see the Dunk & Egg tales shown as precursors to the 2nd 3rd and 4th series. If the show gets big they could go crazy with the cast.
I also reckon Thomas McCarthy will be making an appearance infront of the camera. He was excellent in 'The Wire'. He could play Pylos in Dragonstone, Willas Tyrell or maybe Merrett Frey. Or any of the Freys, the more weasel-like the better.
MozartQuote Reply
Just saw Big Fan and I know he's from the U.S. and much older than the character, but Patton Oswalt could be Samwell for me. He was at the screening, and knows of the books. He name-dropped GRRM when I said "A Game of Thrones," but I didn't get the impression he'd read them.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
David Bradley would be a good Payne, but could be an outstanding Walder Frey if aged up a bit. Oddly, he was in HOT FUZZ as well (as the farmer who has the arsenal and the sea-mine in his shed).
For Tywin, Alan Dale was my first pick and Charles Dance is my second. Either would be stupendous in the role. My only concern would be availability: filming of LOST goes on to March or April, which might be a bit tight with the proper filming of S1 of GoT. Dance is playing the Patrician in the latest DISCWORLD film (GOING POSTAL) but filming of that should be completed by then (since it's being transmitted in April).
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
I was thinking David Bradley for Payne, but I wonder if he's too old. Walder Frey is another good suggestion though.
JillianQuote Reply
Mozart, yeah, given his role in The Wire, I'd say that he'd make a great Frey.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Even though Rory Mccann is nothing short of a sure thing for the Hound, I figured I'd let everyone know that Vinnie Jones is now 100% out of the running. He just signed on for two new TV shows:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4c261e07d5ad75902c31f88803710099
AshliQuote Reply
Sent something to Colm Freore's publicist. Haven't heard anything back.
About the other folks, I don't mean to dis anyone or anything, but I'm sending things to people that I can honestly say I know.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
I just wanted to congratulate Paul, a truly middle of the road guy, for continuing to write 25% of the WiC posts, which might partially take into account its recent monotone feel. I have been coming here out of habit, but wow is it the most boring this ever lately? Yessir it is. blah blah blah no news.
DaveyQuote Reply
I have to admit that the recent lack of news has slowed board activity to the point where my obsessive need to comment on most new posts on a thread has lead to me having a significant share of the last 500 posts. Still, I think once there's a new announcement and the regular posters return, things will slip back into a normal balance.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Two months of casting announcements, one every few weeks, IS red-hot and fast-paced by TV pre-production standards :-)
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
Yeah, I remember someone mentioning that it only seems like it's taking long because most of us don't pay attention to the normal rate of casting announcements for TV pilots. I know I haven't until now.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
DESCRIPTIONS OF ILYN PAYNE IN ASoIaF:
"As the headsman looked at her, his pale colorless eyes seemed to strip the clothes away from her…"
(AGoT p.131)
"Lords and knights moved aside as he stepped through, tall and fleshless, a skeleton in iron mail, the King's Justice."
(AGoT p.635)
"…she knew he was just outside, standing there silent with his dead eyes and his long pocked face."
(AGoT p.648)
"He turned his gaunt, pox-ravaged face toward her."
(ACoK p.396)
"His poxscarred face had no expression."
(ACoK p.413)
"The specter at the feast, thought Tyrion as he watched the King's justice stride forward, gaunt and grim […] now the silence is as much a part of him as those hollow eyes, that rusty chainmail shirt, and the greatsword on his back."
(ASoS p.445)
"Payne seemed as comfortable in his silence as in his rusted ringmail and boiled leather. The clop of his gelding's hooves and the rattle of sword in scabbard whenever he shifted his seat were the only sounds he made. Though his pox-scarred face was grim and his eyes as cold as ice on a winter lake."
(AFfC p.395)
"The pockmarks on Ser Ilyn's face were black holes in the torchlight, as dark as Jaime's soul. He made that clacking sound."
(AFfC p.459)
…ryan
p.s. LOVED Divoff in LOST, he would make a greay Ser Ilyn.
p.p.s. Trust me, banter about potential casting is read by others, some who are connected to the production itself, SOME who may have even created the series. So I don't think anything is too mundane to talk about in here. Bravo to Mr. Gude for reaching out to agents to spread the message of our banter.
invertebraeQuote Reply
Thanks, Ryan.
As a note, I also sent something off to Alan Dale's manager about this thread.
The more I think about it, the more I can see it.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
I'm not a fan of Alan Dale. I'm sure that he will be top of the list because he is type-casted. I've never seen him play any1 other than a Tywin type character, and he is mostly doin' TV. That said, I'm not a fan of his, maybe its just the Lost/OC connections, but his character always great on me.
MozartQuote Reply
While his character on Lost is similar, I think Tywin would offer Dale the chance to flex his muscles a bit more.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Edit: "grate on me" not "great on me".
MozartQuote Reply
I have a pretty strong feeling the "master thespian" that GRRM is talking about for the role that got cut from the pilot is Roy Dotrice for Pycell. I haven't been able to find it, but I'm pretty sure I remember reading GRRM describe Dotrice in those terms in the past (like quite a long time ago, actually). Finally, he's got a long standing connection to the guy starting with Beauty & the Beast, and on unto the audio books for SoIaF. Finally, he'd do very well in the role, I think.
BrudeQuote Reply
I think the character is Pycell, but I'm still holding out for Jim Broadbent. Nina Gold has cast him in seven different productions, starting with The Borrowers in 1997 and ending in Perrier's Bounty this year.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
I think Jim Broadbent is too major an actor for a role the size of Pycell. If he was going to do some series TV, I really think it would have to be as one of the leads and not a supporting part like Pycell (albeit one that has a fair bit of screen time).
BrudeQuote Reply
Brude, it's a good bet that you're right. Still, I'm fine with dreaming until we know for sure. I won't be disappointed with Dotrice, I'm just hoping for Broadbent.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
Dotrice is very very very old.
I know Pycelle is meant to be as well, but for such an important, even if minor character, would they really hire someone only to have a Richard Harris situation come up later?
On saying that, Dotrice would be brilliant for the role, or equally could cameo as Lord Gyles
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Also, I saw a trailer for The Damned United before Big Fan, and whoever said that MichaelSheen could make a good Littlefinger, I can totally see it.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
@paul gude
that was me! i totally think michael sheen could kill it as little finger. throw a pointy beard on that dude and he's petyr (at least to me).
he's also such a phenomenal actor that i feel he would bring a lot of punch to a cast that is already pretty amazing, be able to keep up with the likes of jennifer ehle, ext. and bring the chops it needs to a creative challenge like that.
i personally think that petyr is one of the most fun and interesting characters in the series.
he is who i am throwing my (small, very, very small) weight behind.
educatedponyQuote Reply
Michael Sheen is awesome.
But he's also likely beyond doing TV now, especially in a role that requires that much committment.
We can hope he doesn't think like that though
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Educatedpony, he does ambition well.
Legion, I feel that way about a lot of actors we've suggested. I hope they don't think the way I think they think.
Paul GudeQuote Reply
I think with many of the people that, well, generally the ones that I suggest are people who have a TV track record and who I could legitimatally see doing it (Alan Dale, Andrew Divoff, John Simmms (my choice for Petyr)).
In the end though, all of us are only dream casting, mainly because it's really fun. While some casting suggestions are cool to think about but are simply never going to happen, I always think it's interesting to see peoples takes on the characters.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
I'm sure it's been said before but what about James Frain for Littlefinger?
He's done a lot of tv.
JillianQuote Reply
Good point, Legion. The other thing is that all of the casting suggestions you mentioned would totally work for me as well, so I won't be sad at all if you get some right.
Jillian, I liked James Frain in Titus a lot. He's the right age, but he's 6' tall, which gives you a height issue similar to the problem that people had with Dillahunt, who's 6'2".
Paul GudeQuote Reply
http://bit.ly/aBa2n…..I though this was cute
coltaine777Quote Reply
man, we need some more updates of some kind… this place is drier then a good martini…
PierceQuote Reply
srsly…. *snore*
LaurenQuote Reply
Any other Norwegians watching nrk 2100 tonight??
One of the featured stories was about four wolfs being trained to interact with humans.
Reasons why this is THE asoiaf wolfs:
1. It was four wolfs, and they were all brown. (perfect match exept Ghost, and as far as I know there are not many albino wolfs around)
2. They where trained for action and combat, rough treatment as the news man said.
3. They where just now dispachet over to britain.
4. The reporter was deliberately vaughe about what project they would be a part of.
5. (and final): They said this wolfs MIGHT be movie stars
Check it out on nrk.no (might get the link when I'm chilled down)
I think this is the s***!
ALex
AlexanderQuote Reply
Wow, Alexander … if that's true … simply great. Thanks! I'll check it out, glad I can understand Norwegian!
MarkoQuote Reply
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/551419
The feature with the wolfs appear 15.30..
AlexanderQuote Reply
If it turns out that they are indeed our wolfs,
it will be perfect.
Thank you Alex!
If I understood correct the english guy was talking about the film industry…
The rabbitQuote Reply
@Alexander
I must admit that's the first time I have ever watched Norwegian television. Unfortunately it made about as much sense to me as listening to an economist explain the stock market.
Thanks for the translation!
gofalconsQuote Reply
Nice find Alexander. Real wolves, just wow. Maybe there's something like a "fur dye". For Ghost, you know ;P
gorangligovicQuote Reply
that's so great if they are the direwolves! amazing find.
i wonder if they'll use newborn pups for the beginning, then replace with the juvenile pups later on, or if they'll be several months old when first discovered in the pilot.
??
…ryan
invertebraeQuote Reply
Yeah, that's got to be for the show. And yes, that English speaking guy was talking about the wolves being used for film or TV production (hitting marks, etc.).
I guess they will use these wolves for the later scenes when they are more grown. I think by the end of Book/Season 1 they are already getting to WOUS levels, though (Wolves of Unusual Size). I bet they will do a lot with camera tricks, or digitally enlarging them.
Also, did anyone notice the big green screen they were training them on? I bet they are acclimating them to working on the green-screen set because they will be doing stuff with that. They can shoot stuff with them fighting, attacking, etc. then mix it in to shots with the actors later – so those could be composites that are 90% live, with 10% manipulation so the two seem to be interacting realistically.
BrudeQuote Reply
@Brude
the other way to take the green screen is that they will shoot interactions with the actors on green for the pilot as well, and not just to put wolves into live action plates.
might support my SNOW scenario, where they shoot the heavy snow on green, and then composite in backdrops.
…ryan
invertebraeQuote Reply
True, Ryan – either way, they were getting them used to working on that set. Canines need a comfort level with their work surroundings. My friend is a dog handler (search and rescue), I've learned a lot listening to him about it. A lot of his work is just to get his dog used to the dangerous environments they have to work in.
BrudeQuote Reply
Sad to say, but several things seem to indicate this isn't for ASoIaF. Of the six direwolves, four are grey, one is black, and one is white. No brown. They could be changing the colors somehow, but it seems like they'd go ahead and get at least Shaggydog, too, if that's the case. Possible that one of them will be Shaggydog, and that one wolf will double as Lady AND Summer/Grey Wind (Since getting a separate Lady would be a bit of a waste…) but it still seems most likely they'd get wolves that are grey in the first place, and probably would try to get all the wolves together. If someone has a white wolf for them, I'd imagine they would also have grey and black, so why shop in two places?
DemokritosQuote Reply
@gorangligovic
Thanks, looks like it finally paid of watching the hill billy news. And I'd like to se that fur dye :)
SPOILER As far as four wolfs making perfect sense I don't count Lady into the equation. No grown wolf will be of much want for her role. SPOILER END
As for colors not being perfect, I think it is too much to demand that they should look exactly as described in the books. Only Ghost and his looks are vital
I'm not so sure about the names of the wolfs, but as far as I can tell, it is two males and two females.
Names(phonetic):
Rotchack (unsure about this one)
Beowolf
Aurora
Mischa
If its correct, then the match(sex) isnt perfect, but hey, there are bigger challenges.
AlexanderQuote Reply
Hair dye…they dye animal hair all the time in movies, just like people.
The horse in The Black Stallion was not 100% black, they had to dye white on the nose and above its hooves. That's just one example.
I'm sure it was more important to get wolves that they could work well with than their exact coloring, especially when coloring can be so easily changed.
BrudeQuote Reply
There are other possibilities. The new series of DOCTOR WHO is filming and they've used wolves in the past. The final HARRY POTTER movies are also in production. Does the final book have wolves in it?
Other than that, AGoT does seem a likely candidate.
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
Harry Potter has some werewolves, as does a whole slew of new films, insluding the Twillight stuff. No idea if any of them are filming here though.
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Utterly off topic for what we are talking about, but I believe that Clive Russel is Alliser Thorne
legion_quest666Quote Reply
Maybe they are going 4 gray, one black, and one albino? I imagine its not very simple to acquire 6 trained wolves of these colors from one place, so maybe they will accompany the other 2 wolves from somewhere else. And like Alex said, I think that Ghost is important, but for the rest of the wolves I don't think its that important what color they are.
Either way, its cool to see this and I know there were question before about the likelihood of even filming with actual wolves… so this shows that it can, and will probably happen for GoT! Nice find Alex ;)
ChrisQuote Reply
Turning 4 wolves into 6 shouldn't be a problem, that is if we're assuming they're not getting a white-furred wolf in from some other location for Ghost. As Ghost has by far the most screentime of the wolves, it would also make more sense if they went after him in a different manner.
But assuming they're turning the 4 into 6, I don't see it as an issue. Aside from the newborn pup scene, you never see all 6 together. Only Ghost is at the feast IIRC, the other children were told to leave theirs in the castle, and not long after that Team Ned sets out for the south and Jon and Tyrion go north to the Wall. After that you only need three normal-coloured wolves for the scenes where Shaggydog, Summer and Grey Wind appear together in Winterfell, and there aren't many of those before Robb also takes off.
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
According to my daughter (yes, she's 13 but as damn near an expert on wolves as I know) black wolves are extremely rare outside of North America. Something about a mutation after their migration across the Bering land bridge to the New World or interbreeding with colonizing dogs. Don't ask me, she just knows stuff.
gofalconsQuote Reply
And here was me thinking it was the Brown wolf that was rare. I bow to the knowledge of the daughter!
legion_quest666Quote Reply
@Adam –
That makes a lot of sense – all the wolves are only seen together that one time (as pups), *SPOILER* two of them won't make it past a few episodes.*End SPOILER*
It doesn't seem likely they'd get all 6 considering 2 would only be used for a very short period during which they are technically pups still.
It's a very good chance this is all coincidence, but it definitely seems like there's at least a chance we may be seeing these wolves on HBO soon…
ChrisQuote Reply
those wolves look too small :(
PierceQuote Reply
those wolves look too small :(
Wolves are not that big, really – but I also think those may not be full grown yet. They might be only 1-2 years old, in which case I think they've got some pounds to put on yet (IIRC about how fast dogs grow – and assuming wolves are the same). Also, they are a good size, for the young dire wolves, IMO.
BrudeQuote Reply
I was thinking of the age of the wolves angle, but remember that Summer is big enough to tear out a man's throat by episode two with no problem, and he's still not anywhere near his full size at that point.
I suspect the live wolves are going to be used for part of Season 1 as the 'younger' versions and we may see CGI or false perspective versions later on for the fully-grown ones.
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
those are juvenile wolves. they will definitely put on weight. wiki says the eurasian wolf grows to be 70-130lbs (32-60kg), with the heaviest being 160lbs. that's a large dog.
however, i was hoping they'd go for a hybrid between a wolf (or husky/samoyed) and an irish wolfhound (or great dane). or some combo of wolf-looking breed with XL breed.
there's a lot that can be done with dog breeding in a relatively short time and i'm sure HBO could have ordered up some great looking "direwolves". oh well.
re: ghost, i think they will get an albino, as it's difficult to bleach an animal completely white, eg on the face, and his red eyes are important. shaggy they could easily die from brown to black.
shananimalQuote Reply
Again, cool stuff :) even though I was visually more impressed by the wolf hybrids website we saw a while ago (those weren't (meant to be) film trained, though, were they), this is more real and exciting. Still, watching it once again, no-one says they are training and moving them for one specific production, do they? Some hints might be read that way, perhaps, but … Well, anyways, has anyone done any research about the zoological gardens they are moving them to?
MarkoQuote Reply