Is it okay to discuss casting for the HBO series?

[Werthead]

Natalie Dormer is a strong actress and I think she could do Cersei, apart from the fact that she is twelve years younger than Jennifer Ehle and her own younger brother, Peter Dinklage, and twenty-two years younger than Sean Bean. I don't think scenes with them together would look quite right.

There are other roles she could maybe do. Maybe Arianne isn't out of the question for her?

[Werthead]

Apparently Dany has been cast. One of the actresses who applied for the role said on Twitter she'd been turned down for the role and HBO would be making an announcement soon-ish.

[Eulalia]

That's true, Werthead. It's probably not that often that an actress is too young, but I suppose Natalie may be too young to be Cersei, as it is cast. I forgot, as well, that Joffrey is her son, and that might be odd, without a sufficient age difference.

I'm sure that Natalie could do Arianne as well! Maybe even Margaery, if you accept that the teenagers may all be made older, for propriety.

I wonder who Dany will be!

[TK-421]

I see Natalie Dormer as Asha.

[devilsgrin]

asha? really TK? Asha's a very masculine woman from her description... Natalie is petite and very feminine - any menace that she presents is a political/sexuality based threat...i could see her Arianne or perhaps Jayne Westerling.... but not an Asha... at least not for me...

[TK-421]

Asha masculine???? She's though but she's no Brienne. She is describe as exuding sexuality and all woman.

Was Wonder Woman masculine? I know, some may think that's stretching the comparisons. But in my mind, Asha is of the right age and type for Natalie to portray. Anyways, it won't happen anyways. Now Miranda Otto could be another good choice for Asha.

[devilsgrin]

i don't mean i think Asha is a man in womans clothing like Brienne. But her feminity for me is something akin to the sort of woman Michelle Rodriguez always plays...tough as nails, but still sexy, even sensual. A Xena-type. Asha is like that for me. Natalie Dormer for me doesn't fit that image. Mirando Otto on the other hand is a better fit.

[TK-421]

And Miranda Otto's name is being thrown around.

[Boaz]

I'd never thought of Eowyn as yummy, but Otto made her yummy. And not to insult Otto, but she's about eighteen years too old to play Asha.

[Culhwch]

If Cat hadn't already been cast I think Miranda would have done a good job of that role. Wouldn't want to see her as Lysa though, on the flipside of that. I agree with Boaz on the yumminess front. If I was Aragorn, there wouldn't have been a snowball's chance in hell I was going back to Arwen.

Now, if they cast Liv Tyler in this adaptation I may have to hurt somebody.

[devilsgrin]

I'd help you hurt them Cul... Liv Tyler ... (((shudder)))...

[Ursa major]

GRRM is dropping jokey hints again.

This time, the speculation is that Sandor will be played by Rory McCann, known - amongst other things - for a porage advert and appearing in The Book Group (in which he may have played the wheelchair-bound character).

[Werthead]

Winter is Coming has made up a list of which characters will need to be cast in the series. It makes for interesting reading, as you realise how huge the cast could get.

The major roles that need to be cast would be, IMO:

Ser Barristan Selmy, Ser Loras Tyrell, Ser Gregor Clegane, Varys, Littlefinger, Grand Maester Pycelle, Renly Baratheon, Ser Ilyn Payne, Syrio Forel, Yoren, Lysa Tully, Ser Brynden Tully, Ser Edmure Tully, Lord Roose Bolton, Greatjon Umber, Lord Walder Frey, Bronn, Shae*, Gendry, Ser Beric Dondarrion, Shagga, Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, Samwell Tarly, Ser Alliser Thorne, Ser Janos Slynt, Maester Aemon, Hodor and Mirri Maz Duur.

* Although there has been speculation that Shae could be combined with the existing character of Ros from the pilot.

Characters who appear in the book but could be either reduced to minor roles or even eliminated entirely would be, IMO: Mya Stone, Lord Hoster Tully, Lord Wyman Manderly, Lady Maege Mormont, Thoros of Myr, Timmett, Kevan Lannister, Doreah and assorted Dothraki warriors, Northmen and Riverland lords and approximately four thousand Freys. Of those I'd probably be inclined to keep Maege Mormont and Wyman Manderly (both have potentially much larger roles later on, maybe in Book 5 or 6) but perhaps leave them unnamed until they are needed. Thoros of Myr also has an important role in the potential third and fourth seasons, but can be held back somewhat in Season 1 (maybe we only seem him and his burning sword in the distance or something).

It'll be interesting to see which actors are announced first and which ones they are aiming to include. I suspect announcements will be forthcoming in the next few weeks, with filming due to start in six weeks or so.

EDIT: Oh yeah, we need a new Daenerys as well

[Quick Ben]

I don't think we need casting for Pycelle (cut him out), Forel (ditto), Shagga (don't need him either), Illyn Payne (get on of the crews and give him the sword, nothing more needed) and, at a stretch, Janos Slynt and Allister Thorne.

But I do think we need Kevan Lannister.

[Culhwch]

I have to assume you're joking, Ben. Pycelle, Forel, Payne, Slynt and Thorne? Shagga I could lose, but the rest play pretty important parts in the narrative...