# Rumor - Sean Bean cast as Eddard Stark (HBO Game of Thrones) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375 "2009-07-17T19:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/21 "2009-07-20T14:23:53Z")
Brian Blessed is probably too old to play Robert, isn’t he? If he were younger, that role would be made for him. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/22 "2009-07-20T14:44:09Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Brian Blessed is probably too old to play Robert, isn’t he? If he were younger, that role would be made for him. Absolutely. I was also thinking possibly John Rhys-Davies, who also may be too old for Robert. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/23 "2009-07-20T15:21:06Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > I wonder if they’re going to do some Robert-In-His-Fighting-Prime flashbacks, and if they do I hope Addy doesn’t look silly. > > -Joe If they’re smart, they’ll use the actor playing Renly for the flashbacks; after all, everyone said that Renly looked exactly like a young Robert. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/24 "2009-07-20T15:39:34Z")
I heard a rumor that the 5th book in the series would be released in 2017. Can anyone confirm? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/25 "2009-07-20T15:43:03Z")
So soon? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/26 "2009-07-20T15:45:05Z")
Sean Bean Confirmed as Ned Stark. > **[A Casting We Will Go](https://grrm.livejournal.com/95840.html)** > > Well, Reuters has the story out already, so there's no longer any reason for me to keep mum. Yes, the rumors you've been seeing all over the web the last few days are true. Another huge piece has fallen into place for the HBO pilot of A GAME OF... ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/27 "2009-07-20T15:54:47Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > So soon? Don’t complain. I’m still waiting for Melanie Rawn to finish off the Exiles series, 12 years after the middle volume was published. The four years since _A Feast For Crows_ came out is an eyeblink… ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/28 "2009-07-20T16:32:17Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Ooh…that could work well. Robert’s supposed to be a husky type of guy, from my mental picture of him, and Addy’s body type is about right. And Addy’s not a bad actor, actually, so I don’t have any reservations about it. IIRC Robert’s supposed to be over 400lbs. I’m not sure how I feel about the casting roles. I’m really excited, but I think I would be with any news on the series. The day it’s announced that the book is finished I’m going to be screaming like a maniac. ---
**Author:** ![thwartme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/29 "2009-07-20T20:27:17Z")
In keeping with the original tone of the novels, HBO plans on getting about half way through filming and then just stopping, updating their website every couple of years to promise people that they’re still working on it. These are all fine casting choices. But it’s going to be really, really hard to get into this show knowing that we may never know the eventual outcome. I’m a big, big fan of the books, but having waited as long as I did for Feast For Crows only to eventually only get half a book, I’m about ready to sue GRRM for fraud. I bought those first books on your explicit promise that there would be more… Last update, 566 days ago and counting. thwartme ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/30 "2009-07-20T21:56:58Z")
> [@thwartme](#): > > In keeping with the original tone of the novels, HBO plans on getting about half way through filming and then just stopping, updating their website every couple of years to promise people that they’re still working on it. > > These are all fine casting choices. But it’s going to be really, really hard to get into this show knowing that we may never know the eventual outcome. I’m a big, big fan of the books, but having waited as long as I did for Feast For Crows only to eventually only get half a book, I’m about ready to sue GRRM for fraud. I bought those first books on your explicit promise that there would be more… > > Last update, 566 days ago and counting. > > thwartme Well, when Robert Jordan kicked the bucket they sent in a relief pitcher to finish the job. When GRRM dies in 2035 or so, maybe someone else can finish book seven. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/31 "2009-07-20T22:04:26Z")
I love Sean Bean, but know nothing of the work of fiction you guys are talking about. Anyone care to sum it up in a couple of sentences so I can decide if I want to look into this further? No need for any spoilers, of course. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/32 "2009-07-20T22:20:36Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > want > want > WANT > > How much longer shall we wait ? Well, there’s two chances- either HBO will fuck it up, or they’ll do a great job then cancel it (DeadWood). ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/33 "2009-07-20T22:31:49Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > Anyone care to sum it up in a couple of sentences so I can decide if I want to look into this further? No need for any spoilers, of course. Until someone comes along who can describe it better – medieval fantasy, warring kingdoms, intrigue, colorful characters, a threat from outside, a bit of magic, dragons, etc. with a couple major differences from the standard – Martin kills off major characters (one of them quite early, and what a shock that was) and the narrative has shifting points of view. It’s historical fiction with some fantasy elements. ---
**Author:** ![thwartme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/34 "2009-07-20T22:34:10Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I love Sean Bean, but know nothing of the work of fiction you guys are talking about. > > Anyone care to sum it up in a couple of sentences so I can decide if I want to look into this further? No need for any spoilers, of course. The work in question is so vast in scope, this request is kind of funny. Not sure if you’re joking or not, but, sure I’ll give it a go… In a fantasy world from which the magic has gone, a Kingdom is held together by a fading monarch. Old alliances and friendships, even family, are being tested. Eddard Stark (the character Bean is tapped for) is brought from his vast holding in the north to help is friend, the fading King, figure out who can be trusted. But at first, it seems like no one can be trusted, and the Kingdom may be destined for war. As lines are drawn and uneasy alliances made, there are indications that the magic is returning… Really, it’s pretty excellent, and my rant (above) against the author is for not writing fast enough, not because I don’t like his work. Worth checking out. thwartme \*\*Edit: And also everything AuntiePam said, above. Curse my slowness! ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/35 "2009-07-20T22:35:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, there’s two chances- either HBO will fuck it up, or they’ll do a great job then cancel it (Deadwood). I blame David Milch for that, not HBO. Sure, the show was expensive, but it wouldn’t have been canceled if Milch hadn’t gone “Oooh, shiny!” about _John from Cincinnati_. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/36 "2009-07-20T22:39:43Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I love Sean Bean, but know nothing of the work of fiction you guys are talking about. > > Anyone care to sum it up in a couple of sentences so I can decide if I want to look into this further? No need for any spoilers, of course. The series is called A song of Ice and Fire of which “Game of Thrones” is the 1st book. It is a fantasy series, but very little magic (at least in the early books). Basicaly its the story of many royal families vying for power. There are 3,287 characters, of which about 10 are main viewpoint characters. Warning - there is a lot of death in the book, and being a main character does not guarantee safety. Brian ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/37 "2009-07-20T23:28:26Z")
> [@thwartme](#): > > Not sure if you’re joking or not, but, sure I’ll give it a go… Not at all. I’ve never heard of the work in question, and I thank everyone for giving me an idea of it. It sounds good, and even if it didn’t, I’ll watch anything with Sean Bean in it. In one of the LOTR commentary tracks, Peter Jackson ruefully noted all the women who would magically show up whenever Sean Bean was to film a scene. I can’t remember now what he called them - “bean counters” or something like that. I guess I’m a bean counter! ---
**Author:** ![Spectralist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Spectralist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectralist)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/38 "2009-07-21T01:13:19Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > I heard a rumor that the 5th book in the series would be released in 2017. Can anyone confirm? [Amazon.ca](http://www.amazon.ca/Dance-Dragons-George-R-R-Martin/dp/0553801473/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248136883&sr=8-2) is claiming December 31st 2035. 😃 But no dates anywhere will be right. Until Martin announces he’s completed they are all just wild speculation. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/39 "2009-07-21T08:09:20Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I blame David Milch for that, not HBO. Sure, the show was expensive, but it wouldn’t have been canceled if Milch hadn’t gone “Oooh, shiny!” about _John from Cincinnati_. Not according to anything I read. And then Exhibit 2- Rome. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375/40 "2009-07-21T08:16:30Z")
> [@thwartme](#): > > T > > Really, it’s pretty excellent, and my rant (above) against the author is for not writing fast enough, not because I don’t like his work. Worth checking out. No, it’s not worth checking out, damnit. Yes, it is well written, but the author has left his fans hanging When/if he completes it, it may well be great. Until then it’s more frustrating than worthwhile. In any case, it was supposed to be a Trilogy, and now there are 7 books planned, with 3 “forthcoming”. It’s what Robert Jordan did, and it’s unfair to the fans. > **[A Dance with Dragons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dance_with_Dragons)** > > A Dance with Dragons is the fifth novel of seven planned in the epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire by American author George R. R. Martin. In some countries, the paperback edition was published in two parts: Dreams and Dust and After the Feast. It was the only novel in the series to be published during the eight-season run of the HBO adaptation of the series, Game of Thrones. It is 1,056 pages long and has a word count of almost 415,000. > The US hardcover was officially published on Ju... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-sean-bean-cast-as-eddard-stark-hbo-game-of-thrones/503375.md?page=3)