# Game of Thrones - A List Hollywood Casting **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 9, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057 "2014-05-09T15:59:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/1 "2014-05-09T15:59:54Z")
Instead of the excellent HBO production, A Song of Ice and Fire is going to be adapted by a major movie studio into a long series of big budget, blockbuster movies. You’re the casting director. \*\*Rules: \*\* You can keep four actors from the actual cast. In this hypothetical the show doesn’t exist, and yes, we all know how great and irreplaceable they are and blah blah blah… You get to keep four. That’s it. The big roles should be A list actors. Fill out the rest with “that one guy” character actors or stunt casting if you like. Yes, it’s fine to consider Sean Bean A list for this game. **Spoiler Policy:** Don’t write about any plot points that haven’t happen on the show yet. Don’t write about how \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is different in the book **IF** it relates to plot points. Daario is different in the book, but that’s not a plot point, so that discussion is fine. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/2 "2014-05-09T16:17:16Z")
Juliana Margolies as Cersei. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/3 "2014-05-09T16:27:57Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > You can keep four actors from the actual cast. In this hypothetical the show doesn’t exist, and yes, we all know how great and irreplaceable they are and blah blah blah… You get to keep four. That’s it. > > The big roles should be A list actors. Fill out the rest with “that one guy” character actors or stunt casting if you like. Yes, it’s fine to consider Sean Bean A list for this game. Peter Dinklage obviously stays. I would say Charles Dance too. Paul Giamatti as Varys. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/4 "2014-05-09T16:44:10Z")
When I read the books I always pictured Sandor Clegane (The Hound) as [Jason Statham.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005458/) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/5 "2014-05-09T16:44:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Juliana Margolies as Cersei. Cersei is blonde; can you imagine how odd Julianna Marguiles would look as a blonde? I think an in-shape Russell Crowe might have made a great Jorah Mormont. Antonio Banderas could pull off Oberyn Martell (although I do have to admit that Pedro Pascal seems to be channeling him as Oberyn Martell anyway). Anthony Hopkins as Balon Greyjoy in a semi-cameo role. That’s all I can think of at the moment… I’m sure some more will come to me in a bit. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/6 "2014-05-09T16:58:16Z")
If you could make him pale enough,\*\* Mel Gibson\*\* as **Roose Bolton**. Just show old torture-obsessed Mel the Bolton Banner, and he’s in. **Heath Ledger** would have been an ideal Jon Snow. He could walk that line between naive and idealistic yet tough. In the show, I always wanted **Robert Carlyle** as\*\* Davos Seaworth\*\*. I guess the **Fanning sisters** would’ve been an A list **Sansa and Arya** (stunt casting too.) You’d have to rub some dirt on the younger one in order to buy her as Arya though. I want to think of a role for **Daniel Radcliffe**. He’s the perfect age, and he’s got chops. He’s also tiny. Jon Snow, maybe? Too big of a name to waste on Jojen or the like. He could play against type as Theon Greyjoy. I would love both seeing his Reek. Young **Leonardo DiCaprio** would’ve been the **Loras Tyrell**. These days though… Maybe Jamie Lannister if you get Leo into the gym. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/7 "2014-05-09T17:01:26Z")
Of course Liam Neeson has to be in movies like these, so the best part for him is Tywin Lannister. And I’m suddenly flashing on Tom Cruise as Littlefinger. Tom Cruise is perfect as the guy with the friendly affable and open demeanor who’s your best friend but who is actually utterly self-centered and dead inside. Because, you know. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/8 "2014-05-09T17:13:40Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > And I’m suddenly flashing on Tom Cruise as Littlefinger. Tom Cruise is perfect as the guy with the friendly affable and open demeanor who’s your best friend but who is actually utterly self-centered and dead inside. Because, you know. Shit, that’s brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/9 "2014-05-09T17:29:23Z")
Shia LaBeouf as Joffrey. I know he’s too old, but he’s so hateable that I think people would look the other way. Or hey, cast him as Theon for much the same reason. Natalie Portman could play either Margaery or Cersei even though both of those roles make the LaBeouf age thing worse. She might be more interesting as Cersei because of the implied age disparity with Robert. > [@Lemur866](#): > > Of course Liam Neeson has to be in movies like these, so the best part for him is Tywin Lannister. I think that’s a waste of his physicality. Tywin is a part for a more cerebral actor. At the risk of the most obvious possible piece of typecasting, I’d suggest Gary Oldman. Liam would be better as Ned - although if you pick A-list actors you probably wouldn’t recast that role - or The Hound. He could even play Robert Baratheon, assuming he didn’t mind gaining some weight or wearing a fat suit. And if you cast Neeson as either Ned or Robert, you can give the other role to Alec Baldwin. > [@](#): > > And I’m suddenly flashing on Tom Cruise as Littlefinger. Tom Cruise is perfect as the guy with the friendly affable and open demeanor who’s your best friend but who is actually utterly self-centered and dead inside. Because, you know. Seconded- that’s really good. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/10 "2014-05-09T17:30:30Z")
I think we need to clarify that this movie is going to be made in 2014. So casting has to take into account the actual appearance of the characters. Heath Ledger, even if we were alive, would not be able to play a credible 16 year old John Snow, he was waaay to old for that. Heath Ledger as Ned Stark, sure. Especially the being dead part. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/11 "2014-05-09T17:40:04Z")
Maybe Liam could play Stannis Baratheon? I could buy him as the stiff-necked jerkass who can’t believe nobody wants him as king. As long as we’re casting Gary Oldman, he’s already played a dwarf once in [Tiptoes](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316768/), so there’s your Tyrion. Yeah no, Tywin it is. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/12 "2014-05-09T17:44:53Z")
Chloe Grace Moretz as Arya, she has bad ass little girl already perfected. Elle Fanning as Sansa. Charlize Theron and Orland Bloom as Cersei and Jamie. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/13 "2014-05-09T18:01:54Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Chloe Grace Moretz as Arya, she has bad ass little girl already perfected. Elle Fanning as Sansa. Charlize Theron and Orland Bloom as Cersei and Jamie. I think Orlando can pull off early Jaime, but I’m not sure about didjected handless Jaime. Better as Loras. How about Joquin Phoenix as Renly? Let’s pull out all the stops - Ian McKellan as Tywin. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/14 "2014-05-09T18:16:11Z")
Orlando Bloom is already too old to play Loras. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/15 "2014-05-09T18:37:19Z")
Nicole Kidman as Melisandre. I was disappointed in the TV version because in the books she is strikingly beautiful, while the TV version is just okay with a nice rack. I totally envisioned Daniel Radcliffe as Jon Snow. That we would also be interesting to see his take on Joffrey. I would cast everybody in the Daenerys plotline with A-list Muppets. When I character goes from one plotline to the other, such as Ser Barristan Selmy, they transform to a muppet. Has anybody watched THE WRITERS ROOM? The show riders said that Jamie was the hardest role to cast because anybody who is as good looking, as good at combat, as good an actor as needed, and old enough for the role was probably already working full time if not A list and thus either too expensive or unavailable. That’s why they went with a Danish actor, whose career since his exposure on the show has exploded. I pictured both Anthony Hopkins and Sean Connery as Tywin, but ultimately like Dance better. I pictured Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine as Grandma Martell, and apparently so did Diana Rigg. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/16 "2014-05-09T20:05:14Z")
Clint Eastwood as Walder Frey Natalie Portman (now) as Margaery Tyrell Natalie Portman (then) as Arya Stark James Caan as Ned Stark Sigourney Weaver as Caetlyn Stark Orson Wells as Robert Baratheon Gary Oldman as Jaime Lannister Christina Hendricks as Cersei Lannister Wil Wheaton (young) as Joffrey ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/17 "2014-05-09T22:16:20Z")
Brian Blessed as Robert Baratheon Liam Neeson as Ned Stark Daniel Craig as Jaime Lannister? (maybe not good looking enough?) Angelina Jolie as Cersei Lannister Clint Eastwood as Ser Barristan Selmy Gary Oldman as Littlefinger ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2014, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/18 "2014-05-09T22:52:11Z")
There has to be a role for Nicolas Cage, although I’m darned if I know what it is. Kate Winslet as Catelyn Stark maybe? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/19 "2014-05-12T21:05:24Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Brian Blessed as Robert Baratheon > Liam Neeson as Ned Stark > Daniel Craig as Jaime Lannister? (maybe not good looking enough?) > Angelina Jolie as Cersei Lannister > Clint Eastwood as Ser Barristan Selmy > Gary Oldman as Littlefinger I’d make Daniel Craig Stannis. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057/20 "2014-05-13T10:34:52Z")
I don’t think you guys are properly channeling Hollywood casting directors: Seth Rogen IS whoever the hell it was Sean Bean was playing! Jack Black is Robert Baratheon! Zach Galliafanakis IS John Snow! Gwyneth Paltrow IS Cersei! Lindsay Lohan IS Daenerys Targeyran or whatever the hell that last name is! Carrot Top IS the Hound! Joan Rivers IS whoever the hell Diana Rigg thought she was playing! Danny DeVito IS Tyrion Lannister! Andy Dick IS Joffrey Lannister! Rihanna IS Sansa Stark! Miley Cyrus IS Arya Stark! Burt Reynolds IS Tywin Lannister! Hey, did I mention that I AM Spartacus? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-a-list-hollywood-casting/688057.md?page=2)