7 actors who should play Aegon the Conqueror in new Game of Thrones prequel

This week, news broke that HBO is considering making a Game of Thrones prequel series about Aegon I Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros. This is a pivotal point in Westerosi history which is referred to in just about every single one of author George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire novels. To see it on screen would be epic.

Of course, this begs the question of who should play Aegon the Conqueror. Aegon’s Conquest happened around 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, but thanks to George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, we do have some idea of what Aegon looked like at least. He is described as a tall, broad-shouldered warrior with few equals, but also an intelligent ruler well-versed in history and governance. Aegon is not a brute, nor is he meek. To play him, an actor will have to be able to embody both his ruthlessness as well as the compassionate side, which he demonstrated to pardon some of his greatest enemies once they bent the knee.

We also know Aegon’s age. He was around 25 at the start of the Conquest. By the time First Dornish War finished, he was closer to 40. That gives us a bit of flexibility when casting the part, but only a bit. Part of Aegon’s legend is that he’s essentially a young upstart who sets out to unite the Seven Kingdoms and (mostly) does, together with his sister-wives Rhaenys and Visenya.

Let’s dreamcast a few actors who we think could pull off this role and lead the Game of Thrones franchise to another victory.

1. Henry Cavill should play Aegon the Conqueror

Perhaps the most popular fan cast for Aegon right now is Henry Cavill, best known for playing Superman in the DCEU and the monster hunter Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher. Fans have been dreaming of casting Cavill as Aegon for a long time. He even wears a silver-white wig on The Witcher; he’s practically there already.

Jokes aside, Cavill has the kind of balance an actor needs to play Aegon. As Geralt, he can be vicious when necessary but has a heart of gold buried underneath. He performs many of his own stunts in that show, so we know he’d have the physicality to pull off the many battles and duels that Aegon participates in before he builds the Iron Throne.

Casting Cavill might be a little too on-the-nose at this point given how many fans have clamored for it, but there’s little doubt that he would crush the part.