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.
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.
I heard a rumor that the 5th book in the series would be released in 2017. Can anyone confirm?
So soon?
Sean Bean Confirmed as Ned Stark.
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…
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.
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
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.
Well, there’s two chances- either HBO will fuck it up, or they’ll do a great job then cancel it (DeadWood).
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
Amazon.ca is claiming December 31st 2035. 
But no dates anywhere will be right. Until Martin announces he’s completed they are all just wild speculation.
Not according to anything I read. And then Exhibit 2- Rome.
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.