Ohmygodohmygod

[TK-421]

Well, according to GRRM's Not A Blog that I just read, and HBO's website, the 2nd season of Rome started just this week.

Not A Blog
HBO: Rome

[BlueJimmie]

Originally Posted by Rane Longfox

I think the full 7 series is highly unlikely. They cancelled Rome after just one, and look how popular that was. Deadwood went early too... The fantasy hardcore won't be enough to keep it afloat, but we should see 2 seasons before it dies, hopefully

Nah, all the tongues will be wagging after an incestuous love scene and Jamie Lannister throwing Bran from the window, "The things I do for love." Instant hit.

[Rane Longfox]

Originally Posted by TK-421

Well, according to GRRM's Not A Blog that I just read, and HBO's website, the 2nd season of Rome started just this week.

So it is. Well, thats a great piece of news

[Weasel Soup]

I for one think that the full 7 series is likely, not just because I have become a "Martin Cultist" myself, but partially for the reason I did.

While I have read some fantasy and sci fi prior to Martin, 3 authors only between 94 and 06, I found his series fascinating in its politcal machinations. Of the people in know in person, of about the 11 readers only 2 are actually very large fans on the SF genre. Martin's writing attracts people beyond fans of the genre only.

For example, My brother, was reading ASOS at Christmas, and I havent seen him read anything other than the New England Journal of Medicine in over 10 years. If the Sopranos can be as successful as it has been, and from the fans of that show, because of the "whacked" factor, I think Martin can deliver aswell.

Besides, a midget "whacking" the most powerful Family leader in the loo? And imagine the hook of Bran being dropped to the line of "The things I do for Love"?

My only fear is that certain characters may be margainalized. Say the Podrick's and (God forbid) Dolorous Edd's.

And I'm not to sure that many actresses may want to play Brienne.

But I will gladly take 2 seasons if thats all thats offered. But what kills alot of series is redundancy, and thus far Martin hasnt been redundant.

I'm too giddy, clearly nothing will get accomplished by me today.

[TK-421]

Or, one of my personal favourites "My giant of a Lannister"

[Werthead]

They cancelled Rome after just one, and look how popular that was

Well, according to GRRM's Not A Blog that I just read, and HBO's website, the 2nd season of Rome started just this week.

Actually, you're both right. Rome was cancelled after Season 1, but only after Season 2 was comissioned. So they basically said the show would end after Season 2, and indeed, it will. One of the reasons (aside from the eye-bulging $100 million-a-seaon budget) was that the only place the story could go in Season 3 was the Caligula/Claudius saga, and frankly the BBC version of I, Claudius did that far better than Rome ever could.

I watched the first episode of Rome Season 2 this week and it was pure awesomeness. Mark Antony politically outmaneuvering Caesar's murderers was just brilliantly done and I thought, "This is so a Littlefinger moment." Although Purefoy, great as he is and certainly should be in the ASoIaF in some role, is a bit too big and tough to be Littlefinger.

How do people think the story will be affected by being adapted by the script-writer? The only reason I support the Chain of Dogs project is that it's actually being written by Erikson and his junta, but will this detract from Martin's excellence? Obviously he doesn't have enough time to do it on his own...

The Chain of Dogs project is kind of a non-starter in its current form. The idea that you can get a project of that magnitude done without going to Hollywood was just wishful thinking, and Hollywood would certainly want to put more experienced screenwriters on the task. No disrespect to any of the team who've been working on it and The Dark, it's just that I don't see Chain of Dogs making it to the screen in the form they envision. And perhaps that means it won't happen, if SE is adamant that's the only way it can happen.

[KiwiBird]

If its like Rome then its good, i am only hoping it will not bring down the books.

[Boaz]

Well, this is a lot to digest (along with these nachos as a midnight snack), but TK's comment regarding POV's seems the most intruiging. Yes, No, It might happen, Rome was cancelled, Budget concerns and all future guessing as to ASOIAF's probability aside, TK got into the how.

Can anyone recall TV shows or movies being done from multiple POV's? There was a cop show a few years ago (in the US) that showed crimes from multiple perspectives, not that I ever watched it.

POV means piont of view... I don't want just different stories told every episode in ASOIAF, I want POV's. The early Stark POV's set the stage and tension so that Ned's death is shocking. If the early POV's had all been Lannister, then Ned's death would have been a necessity. So if HBO's ASOIAF is just generic third person, then I think most of the tension of the story and the realism of the characters goes in the trash.

Bluejimmie hit the jackpot question of who. Realistically, who should be cast? Of course, it'll be mostly unknowns to us lay people or those labeled as character actors. For instance in The Sopranos, none of the actors that I've seen (I've probably seen half the episodes) would be considered on Hollywood's A-list. Apart from the show only Steve Buscemi, Lorraine Bracco, Robert Loggia, Joe Pantoliano, Timothy Daly, and perhaps Peter Riegert and James Gandolfini are easily identifiable for their acting work.

I don't mean that as an aspersion upon these actors, their abilities or their work. I'll always remember Nancy Marchand's one episode role on Cheers as Frazier's mother!

The fact is that I cannot foresee HBO getting Tom Cruise to play Ned, Tom Hanks to play Stannis, Heath Ledger to play Jaime (Loras maybe, but never Jaime), Sean Connery to play Aemon, Julia Roberts to play Catelyn, Nicole Kidman to play Cersei, Hugh Jackman to play Bronn, Steve Buscemi to play Tyrion, Tim Roth to play Littlefinger, Natalie Portman to play Shae, Liam Neeson to play Jorah, and Catharine Zeta-Jones to play Melissandre. Realistically, HBO will sign unknowns and character actors which makes our discussion nigh impossible and very fruitless.

[KiwiBird]

Originally Posted by Boaz

Well, this is a lot to digest (along with these nachos as a midnight snack), but TK's comment regarding POV's seems the most intruiging. Yes, No, It might happen, Rome was cancelled, Budget concerns and all future guessing as to ASOIAF's probability aside, TK got into the how.

Can anyone recall TV shows or movies being done from multiple POV's? There was a cop show a few years ago (in the US) that showed crimes from multiple perspectives, not that I ever watched it.

POV means piont of view... I don't want just different stories told every episode in ASOIAF, I want POV's. The early Stark POV's set the stage and tension so that Ned's death is shocking. If the early POV's had all been Lannister, then Ned's death would have been a necessity. So if HBO's ASOIAF is just generic third person, then I think most of the tension of the story and the realism of the characters goes in the trash.

Bluejimmie hit the jackpot question of who. Realistically, who should be cast? Of course, it'll be mostly unknowns to us lay people or those labeled as character actors. For instance in The Sopranos, none of the actors that I've seen (I've probably seen half the episodes) would be considered on Hollywood's A-list. Apart from the show only Steve Buscemi, Lorraine Bracco, Robert Loggia, Joe Pantoliano, Timothy Daly, and perhaps Peter Riegert and James Gandolfini are easily identifiable for their acting work.

I don't mean that as an aspersion upon these actors, their abilities or their work. I'll always remember Nancy Marchand's one episode role on Cheers as Frazier's mother!

The fact is that I cannot foresee HBO getting Tom Cruise to play Ned, Tom Hanks to play Stannis, Heath Ledger to play Jaime (Loras maybe, but never Jaime), Sean Connery to play Aemon, Julia Roberts to play Catelyn, Nicole Kidman to play Cersei, Hugh Jackman to play Bronn, Steve Buscemi to play Tyrion, Tim Roth to play Littlefinger, Natalie Portman to play Shae, Liam Neeson to play Jorah, and Catharine Zeta-Jones to play Melissandre. Realistically, HBO will sign unknowns and character actors which makes our discussion nigh impossible and very fruitless.

well actually the actors of Rome are not entirely unknows, far from it

[Trey Greyjoy]

Originally Posted by KiwiBird

well actually the actors of Rome are not entirely unknows, far from it

Interesting to think about huh?

The producers could go with relative unknowns willing to sign a multi (and I mean MULTI) year contract worth relatively little in order to keep the budget down.

However, with a project this long, you'd imagine they'd be looking at resumes showing a certain degree of professionalism. Having to recast Jaime halfway through the 3rd season due to contract problems or "creative differences" isnt exactly desirable. Plus Im sure they'll try to keep the quality high. Im hoping if it happens it will look and feel a lot more like "Rome" and less like "Xena: Warrior Princess." (with all due respect to Xena fans )

Unlike Sopranos, this series is telling one tale from start to finish. If they dont go the full distance, it will be a big letdown. Much like Carnivale

Well, we should have years to discuss this before it happens. Im willing to wager the actress who'll portray Ayra hasnt even been born yet

[TK-421]

Thank you Boaz for the props.

While I would still watch the show even it was not based on different POV's because I'm like a crack addict to ASOIAF, I see the POV's being the only viable one that would really set the show apart.

I am already thinking of the opening scene beyond the Wall with the Others...

Or each episode starting with a black screen with the name of the POV for this week:
Jon
Catelyn
Jaime
Tyrion
Eddard
Daenerys
...ohhh, the possibilities.

But GRRM is smart and knows that his POV's is the key to the success of the books and the eventually the show.

Now, I just hope the CGI isn't cheese. Like the direwolves, the Wall, the dragons, the Others, battle scenes, etc.

But if they are thinking of filming in New Zealand, we know the scenery will be spectacular and likely cover all of the geography described in the books.

[red_temple]

I just wet myself, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I'd like to see them cast a bigger name actor as Ned to use as drawing power. They'll only need to pay him his big salary for 1 season.

[TK-421]

This news must be huge for Red Temple and Trey to come in from the cold after being away from the forums for so long. Glad you're back.

[TomServo]

If Rome got cancelled because of budgetary restraints, then I don't want to see big name actors in the ASoIaF show. 'A' listers would take up a huge chunk of the budget.

[kimb]

Those are some interesting points Boaz. POVs are usually what make you like or hate a character- it's not just their actions.
I kind of like TK-421's thought of having the black screen with the name of the POV for the week. If it's not too much, I would like to see four 15 min chapters or six 10 min chapters.
I don't mind the idea of not having big name actors- in fact, I prefer it. I think the casting for most of HBO's series have been really amazing. The only actor I really hope would be in it is Ian McShane. I thought he was fantasic on Deadwood and there are tons of bad guys he could play.