A number of news articles from Icelandic media have reported that, as we know, Game of Thrones is set to begin filming there next week. Reports from Visir, RÚV and Reykjavik Travel all reiterate that the filming will take place around Lake Mývatn in the north of Iceland. Last year, filming occurred in the south, near the Vatnajökull glacier, but this year the producers chose a northern location so they would get some more snow. (Winter is coming, after all.) Right now, the transport crew is prepping everything for filming. From Reykjavik Travel:
“We are these days working on importing video equipment, parts sets, costumes and other props for Game of Thrones (GOT). Most of the things are already there and ready for filming” says Bjorn Einarsson, Director TVG-Zimsen. TVG have been specializing in transporting for the filming industry.
The reports go on to say that there were approximately 270 people working on the show last season, with about 70 of those Icelanders, and that they expect a similar amount this year. The article from RÚV indicates that many of the extras will be pulled from a viking fencing club called Rimmugýgur. Also, according to RÚV, the producers have already talked of returning to Iceland next year for season four filming.
Lastly, the article from Reykjavik Travel includes some photos of areas near Lake Mývatn and lists them as potential filming locales. This one shot of Grjótagjá cave caught my eye. Wouldn’t it be perfect for a certain scene?
Winter Is Coming: It seems probable that they would want to shoot THAT scene in a controlled environment, but hopefully they used that cave as inspiration.
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86 Comments
The cave!!!!
Omar BrownQuote Reply
Thats right, that could be the scene where jon breaks his vows with ygritte, several times. Question for evveryone? Where do you think jons storyline will end this season?
joaquinQuote Reply
The cave of sweet freckled, ginger love!
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
It will probably end With Jon’s return to the Wall to warn them of the Wildlings or with the next event – Jon defending the southern side of Castle Black from the Wildlings and, of course, Ygritte’s death
Ren SnowQuote Reply
The cave in which Jon yodels in her canyon?
Actually we know that they built a cave in Paint Hall. That was for Beric vs Sandor, but it wouldn’t be hard to redress it for this. But using a real cave would be awesome.
WatsonQuote Reply
Ren Snow,
Yes i thought that too. They have to include sams pov as well. It could when he is rescued by coldhands i think.
joaquinQuote Reply
joaquin, please use the spoiler button when discussing events that haven’t happened in the show yet. Just highlight the part of your comment that is a spoiler and then click the “spoiler” button. Thanks!
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Sorry for that. Im comment from my cel so i dont see this spoiler button. I ll refrain until i get home.
joaquinQuote Reply
If Jon’s storyline ends back at the Wall as most seem to think, I’m wondering why they would need to return to Iceland next year?
Most of the rest of the scenes from here on take place in or around Castle Black which could all be done in Belfast.
Bran’s scenes too could all easily be done in Belfast.
ConorQuote Reply
That cave is so beautiful! It would indeed be perfect either as location or inspiration for “that” scene.
Tír AirgidQuote Reply
As awesome as the cave looks, it sure would be cold for the actors!!!
Also feel Jon’s storyline ends with Ygritte’s death :’-(
gbuq77Quote Reply
Have they already filmed Craster and Mormont’s deaths or will those be shot in Iceland. I can’t remember where they filmed the scenes for Crasters Keep.
Duff ManQuote Reply
I was thinking the same thing… maybe for Bran’s storyline… because apart from him, there shall be no more north of the wall…
And it would be stupid to go back to Iceland just for a couple of scenes they could do in Belfast… so yeah, I’m wondering too why they’d go back…
ArkashQuote Reply
joaquin,
For Jon his story arc this season might end , either when he escapes the wildlings and runs for castle black, or when Ygritte dies in his arms ( I would prefer the latter )
Omar BrownQuote Reply
I have a feeling Ygritte will survive season 3 and be killed sometime during the big battle in season 4. I think having another likeable character killed off just after the Red Wedding may not be a good idea. It will bring a dramatic intensity to the battle if she is fighting against her lover.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Fantastic picture.
BalerionQuote Reply
The Lord’s Kiss. Awesome. They had better get down for that one. ;D
axia777Quote Reply
Omar Brown,
I’ve heard they were going to end his arc with his arrival at castle black, but before the battle.
Which might be cool, since they’ll have to have the battle for Castle Black as the first episode of season 4.
sunspearQuote Reply
Ahhhh,the cave!
Jon Snow is gonna do it!
Ilia StarkQuote Reply
Wow, that cave and water is 100% exactly how i pictured it when reading the book..nuts
HugeFloppyGutQuote Reply
Why does Jon Snow (and everybody else) refer to Jon breaking his vows with Ygritte? Sure, he has sex with her, but the actual oath he takes is to father no children, he does not take a vow of chastity/celibacy/sexual abstinance.
NewJeffCTQuote Reply
“I will take no women.”
ArkashQuote Reply
Ahhh the cave! <3 :D
Caro HQuote Reply
i know right…people don’t read the fine print
HugeFloppyGutQuote Reply
Ygritte does not die in Jon’s arms
Tom O’ SevensQuote Reply
Probably because Jon tells master Aemon “I’ve broken my vows”. Obvious is obvious :p
Tom O’ SevensQuote Reply
No, it says “take no wife” and “father no children”
I said why does Jon (and everybody else) say that he did when he technically did not (at least the part with Ygritte)
NewJeffCTQuote Reply
i am very excited to see the events unfold north of the wall. Jon story will most likely end with the death of Ygritte and horns blowing while treating in the tent.
AmsterpaulQuote Reply
Tom O’ Sevens,
I believe she does
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/A_Storm_of_Swords-Chapter_55
gbuq77Quote Reply
The episode where that happens should be called “A Lord’s Kiss”.
QuowalaQuote Reply
I can only really see the season ending for Jon upon his return to Castle Black, perhaps they will wait for Ygritte and the wildlings from queenscrown to attack as a season 4 opener…? The cave looks perfect for THAT scene however, can hardly wait :)
Also as an aside, I’m currently getting a game of thrones/asoiaf inspired tattoo sleeve, thought i’d share a picture of in progress for those folks who are into the art… http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/533741_3947886175626_1207343106_n.jpg :)
Its not the best picture but you get the idea!
TheKingWhoKneltQuote Reply
Ok so we are generally on the same page about Jons story line but i wont think that will be the end of season 3.
JoaquinQuote Reply
Joaquin,
I think i could be when Beric revives Catelyn or when Catelyn kills Merret Frey. Thoughts anyone? Viewers will be amazed with that ending.
JoaquinQuote Reply
I stand corrected. What I meant it is that there is no sappy dialogue or any “last words” shared between the two when Ygritte dies. She’s shot with an arrow, Jon finds her, Ygritte dies.
Stannisdoes not bendQuote Reply
Stannisdoes not bend,
They share some words before Ygritte passes away..
babarQuote Reply
Wow! Beautiful cave, what a wonderful spot for a romantic encounter, but it does look cold!
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
The cave in the picture is actually better then the one I have in my mind. I like the softness and the blues and greys. Now, imagine it with fire light dancing on the walls :)
Curious about s4 though. Maybe they’ll be showing other wildlings moving south in light of the big event.
mags giantsbabeQuote Reply
Actually, there were sappy words – Jon was saying how he was going to take her to see castles and how she wasn’t going to die, he was going to get Maester Aemon to patch her up… then she says her trademark line about Jon knowing nothing, and then she dies.
NewJeffCTQuote Reply
LOL! I was thinking the same , for no one is immune to cold.
WildSeedQuote Reply
The cave has warm water according to info thro the web link
Otia Dant VitiaQuote Reply
I could reason with that, at this point the audience barely knows of Ygritte,
and there’s much more than a sexual encounter between the two. Ygritte
lets Jon know of key facts about the Wildlings and stood to be a buffer
between Jon and them. It would be interesting to see if GoT allows for
a relationship based on pragmatic and emotional ties, or just a physical
tryst. If she leaves too soon, and without any essential connection, her
story becomes as moot as Qhorin’s. Right now she’s the pretty redhead,
hardly known or liked, how her role is enacted within the first few
episodes might determine her impact on the show. Ygritte was a pragmatic
inclusion in the books for Jon’s plan , IMO. I had little investment in
her, emotionally speaking. I hope at least ( GoT ) Jon has a better outcome
than (GoT) Robb’s ineptly written script. You think we’ll get to see Donal
Noye in later episodes or next season ?
WildSeedQuote Reply
Joaquin,
They’re never going to do that reveal that reveal so soon. I expect them to have a scene in season 4 where Arya and the Hound find Catelyn’s body.
My guess is that they’ll either end it with Ygritte dying, or with Bran and Co. walking through the weirwood gate.
sunspearQuote Reply
I think there’s someone watching and/or listening that cave, could it
be the Children of the Forest’s greenseer ?
WildSeedQuote Reply
cave aside, filming in Northern Iceland in November/December must be Hell …
valerioQuote Reply
WildSeed,
Really, the whole point of them changing the Halfhand storyline was to set up Ygritte better. They aren’t going to downplay her now. She’ll die in the first battle of Castle Black, just like in the books. The only thing we don’t know is if they’ll have that battle in the season 3 finale or the season 4 premier.
sunspearQuote Reply
Right again! Geez I fail epicly :-)
Tom O’ SevensQuote Reply
sunspear,
I dont remember arya finding her mums body. I think she has a wolf dream and she sees thoros of myr and beric finding a body face down in the mud near the river. The Lords kiss has the same impact than the dragons hatchind and the white walkers marching to the fist of the first man.
JoaquinQuote Reply
Joaquin,
Bran and company going through the weirwood gate could be the end of his story line but not of season 3
JoaquinQuote Reply
That’s what I meant. That they would have Arya and the Hound find her as a replacement for the wolf dream.
sunspearQuote Reply
sunspear,
I disagree. Wolf dreams didnt work out well last season. They only used it when summer comes to the room. Its way to melodramatic that arya finds her mother, its better that she gets punched by the hound when she tries to enter the twins. They ll show the lords kiss but from an objective point of view.
JoaquinQuote Reply
sunspear,
Unlikely, IMO. Surely, Arya would bury her mother, if she found her corpse. And once buried, Cat could hardly become Lady Stoneheart.
BTW, “Arya and the Hound” is a spoiler as well.. ;-)
babarQuote Reply
That’s kind of the problem I see for this season. All of the major events after the RW(Ygritte death, Dany takes Mereen, Purple Wedding, and the weirwood gate) are all likely to get pushed back to Season 4. That doesn’t really leave a whole lot to use as season ender. My next best pick would be them stalling Jamie’s plot line and using the bear pit scene as the season finale.
Re wolf dreams. They seem to not want to use the wolf dreams for any character except Bran, and there’s no real reason they need to. I just think it would be a good scene for Arya to find that thing and getting dragged away.
sunspearQuote Reply
If a woman recalls correctly, Arya begins having more wolfy dreams about the time of the RW, no? It would make sense for her to start having the dreams when she is physically closer to where she left Nymeria, maybe it’s easier to have the connection “come alive” when in closer proximity to your warg-partner? It just seems silly to leave out Arya’s warging altogether, so maybe it will be introduced this year for her and warging will get more serious for Bran too. And Jon Snow still doesn’t really know how to control Ghost, so maybe that will change and we’ll see him figure out the warg thing, or get told by another warg in the wildlings what he can and cannot do with Ghost if he wants to exploit the warg thing.Also, it would make sense that warging becomes more important this season, as those with d-wolves learn what it means and whether it can help them in their various situations. And people will be more sympathetic that Sansa lost her wolf when they see how important they can be.There’s also the possibility that D&D and the other writers write something new for the S3-ender, something that might help tie together various threads in a visual way rather than a verbal way (as the book does). A woman suspects more new material will help to keep the viewers who haven’t read the books aware of how things tie together in different ways, more cinematic ways. Some of the new scenes were beautifully done in S1 & S2, and it’s cool to be surprised from time to time.
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
I think they started earlier, around when she was still traveling with Yoren & Co., but I might be remembering wrong. It was pretty vague, but something about soldiers getting attacked by Nymeria + her pack.
JamboQuote Reply
You may be right, but since we haven’t seen that on the show it might be a good time to introduce that in the next season, right? Since extraordinary powers seem to be enhanced with the presence of dragons in the world, doesn’t it make sense for other supernatural powers to emerge in the show like warging and skin-changing?
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
RE Wolf Dreams: I agree, if D&D have put some wolf dreams in season 2, there will likely be more. D&D love continuity, especially in a show as big as this.
SelmyQuote Reply
Mrs. H’ghar,
Up to know the final scenes of the season enders came from the end of book 1 and the prologue of book 3 (Altered a little bit). I dont think they will made up the end of season 3, i consider that the books have a lot of great moments to end the season. Now that i come to think of it, the last to finales ended with a supernatural scene (the lords kiss could me a season ender because its supernatural and it will be a relief/surprise for the viewers. That will leave them craving for season 4). I think will se more of brans skinchanging abilities but not of the rest yet.
JoaquinQuote Reply
Makes sense!
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
Selmy
Wolf dreams: Correct me if im wrong but didnt we only see one wolf dream last season? and it wasnt really important (it just explained that bran could see through summer), the rest are explained by dialogue. I LOVE the show and i learned that you dont have to compare the show with the books (viewers are different than readers) so dont get me wrong. If they changed Ashas name with Yara to avoid confusion with Osha i think they wont risk adding wolf dreams to other characters. In my opinion Bran will be the only one on this season with wolf dreams.
JoaquinQuote Reply
Anything is possible.
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
Mrs. H’ghar,
Of course, i guess we ll see March 31st
JoaquinQuote Reply
Joaquin,
Why would Jon going down on Ygritte be a good finale cliffhanger? I think you mean the ‘kiss of fire’ when referring to Lady Stoneheart.
Tyrion PimpslapQuote Reply
They need some Marvin Gaye to play for this scene.
Damryn of DorneQuote Reply
There was an update in the Reykjavik Travel article. They have now confirmed the locations for filming and will apparently be starting on the 16th and shoot for eight days only. I can think of about three or four important scenes which could be filmed on Iceland, the rest would all be “walking around” or “marching south” stuff.
mags giantsbabeQuote Reply
Hmm…. that’s a very plausible point, I may have to agree with you there.
The battle for Castle Black has had me wanting for some time now, let’s
hope it’s a good one ( for GoT ).
WildSeedQuote Reply
What do you have in mind, the great song classics are endless.Certainly
you’re not thinking of ” Sexual Healing ” ? How about ” What’s Goin’ On ” ?
WildSeedQuote Reply
NewJeffCT,
Because Westeros is full of hypocrites and sexually repressed idiots, that’s why. Also, it was kind of convenient for Thorne and certain bald guy coming from King’s Landing that the bastard son of Ned Stark was a failure even in the failure army.
Bannerless BroQuote Reply
Lord’s Kiss!!!
Of course, you had me at “viking fencing club.”
Unrelated, but undeniably glorious:
https://twitter.com/LauraPradelska/status/266832986325020672
Just so.
the goatQuote Reply
It’s inconceivable to leave the Warg and Greenseer abilities to the imagination
only, GoT will eventually incorporate these aspects. Season Three is quite
ambitious, so hints and guesses may have to do for the moment, as it
was for season two. We will entreat upon the subject again, perhaps in
S3, but moreso S4 and onward. So far the glimpse has been Bran and Danerys.
Melisandrei and Thoros of Myr may be our spirit guides for now,
we’ll likely become better acquainted in the upcoming seasons.
WildSeedQuote Reply
A woman agrees for the most part, but thinkleaving Arya’s warging for too much longer would be a mistake unless they are going to omit the “Nymeria saves UnCat” scene altogether and reveal UnCat another way. Still, at some point, Arya will have to be shown to begin to understand that her wolf dreams mean something and are a part of her.
Mrs. H’gharQuote Reply
NewJeffCT,
hahahahaha thats soooo true!! How come no-one has ever mentioned this before?!!? what a loophole!! they can take no wives and father no children.. but night’s watchmen CAN HAVE SEX! LOL!! so Jon never broke his vows!!
WinturdQuote Reply
Mrs. H’ghar,
I agree with you in principle. We readers are well aware of the pacing for the
ASOIAF story, and key events are essential to moving the mystic agenda that
GRRM has sought. I am not only connected to Arya dream sleep with Nymeria,
but Nymeria’s role in discovering Catelyn. We had a glimpse only of Bran and
Summer, but Robb and Greywind and Jon and Ghost also dreamsleep and
Warg together consciously. Danerys has hoarded interest thus far with her
dragons , an HBO plan for sure. These cannot be ignored in part or whole,
but I believe a plan is in the works to strategically embed these at appropriate
intervals. As S3 is quite ambitious, we may only receive a few tidbits.
Greywind and Robb’s connection is realised even without the warning
reveal, perhaps that’s an unspoken element and clever end to our courageous
Direwolf and glorious king of the North. We’ll see in a few months, what
the writers have in store for us. Have heart for now.
WildSeedQuote Reply
Wow, that cave is beautiful…and it would certainly serve as the perfect “cave” for Ygritte and Jon…where…ahem, he will give her that special “kiss”…you know the one Ygritte asks Jon about…if that is the manner in which the southern lords “kiss“….LOL!
loco73Quote Reply
Tyrion Pimpslap,
Sorry i meant kissed by fire. That will be the end of the season i think.
JoaquinQuote Reply
If Jon has sex I will flip the shit. He has already told everyone that he would never father a bastard and he has been portrayed as an honorable young man. HBO please stop changing the characters to add more sex!
I am a GoT Series Purist.
RygarQuote Reply
So now sticking to the books is deviating from the books lol
ConorQuote Reply
Conor,
He has sex in the books. He breaks his vows. Hes a complicated characyer just like all the characters in asoiaf. Critisising hbo for sticking to the books is rediculous im gonna assume youre trolling.
towerofjoyQuote Reply
NewJeffCT,
He broke his vows much before that
TomQuote Reply
That cave! It’s perfect!!! Hope it gets used. Also on the topic of the season 3 ender, I’m hoping it’s not Beric’s kiss. In the book you don’t know of the kiss and Cat’s reveal at the end of book 3, would be a much, much better ender for season 4. It’ll be like everyones lost hope for the Starks, but starting to move on… Then bam, she’s back bitches, with a Stoneheart!!! Season 3 could end with the fall of Yunkai perhaps. I don’t know, but showing the viewer that Cat is back in season 3 is too soon… Agree or disagree?
King DBCQuote Reply
King DBC,
Disagree the viewer needs something and this change in the narrative is an honourable sacrifice in my opinion. If they do it right Arya will have her Nymeria dreams of finding a corpse (not shown to the audience) which is pulled from the river and found by Dondarrion’s men. Near the very end of episode 10 we will have a tense discussion between Dondarrion and Thoros that after we see Yunkai fall and Jon and the night’s watch preparing for the Wildings, the closing image will be Thoros passing Beric’s life force to a corpse (again not fully shown) until we see the eyes open and zoom out to see it’s Catelyn. End season 3. If we are to assume that the Purple Wedding will be episode 1 of season 4, we can show the first signs of Frey hanging and Lady Stoneheart from behind but save the reveal of it being Catelyn until later in the season. I don’t know I just think that it would be better than showing yaaay Dany is awesome at the end of each season. Not to mention but each season seems to end on a supernatural note and Cat’s resurrection will also make clear Dondarrion’s purpose in the story a well as quell some of the devastation the Unsullied are feeling after the Red Wedding.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
Joshua Taylor,
We are on the same page.
JoaquinQuote Reply
He didn’t say he was an “Ice and Fire” purist; he said he was a GoT series purist.
It was a joke, but you missed it.
MRRQuote Reply
Joshua Taylor,
I do agree that solace will need to be provided after, The RW, thought the book made it tough on the reader by delaying her reveal, which in effect made it more dramatic. I never picked up on the “supernatural endings” pattern, though if that’s what they’re going for, the kiss is, I guess, the better option. I just have my heart set on the reveal, the way it was done in the book, because I wasn’t expecting it at all! Maybe I’m the only one though…
King DBCQuote Reply
bom-chika-wow-wow……
giselleGQuote Reply
King DBC,
I see where you are coming from but there’s large difference between someone whose read halfway through the books and someone whose been only following the series. Of course we are going to keep reading. But the average joe watching a fantasy series on HBO…this could test his /her patience. It’s wise to throw them a bone.
Joshua TaylorQuote Reply
This has to be trolling…
GeekFuriousQuote Reply