Is it okay to discuss casting for the HBO series?

[TK-421]

Wrestlers! Really, is that the best we can do. I mean if The Rock and Hulk Hogan weren't acting disasters already.

Next thing, someone will be nominating that brilliant actor Shaq.

My axe indeed...

[BadWolf]

I'd like to propose Ray Winstone as King Robert.
He did a cracking job in a recent TV series as Henry VIII.

[MOUNTAIN THAT READS]

I know who the Gregor should be:
Ladies and Gents.......... Vinnie Jones

Some trick photography may be necessary to make him look ridiculously big, but I think that would be true of any actor. On the plus side HE CAN ACT!!

X-Men: The Last Stand Photos

[Boaz]

Sure he could do it, but the mountain is a one trick pony. He drinks, he curses, he rapes, and he kills... okay, so he knows four tricks. He's an extremely limited character. It would not be a stretch for any tall wrestler to portray him. Heck, I'm 6'5" 260 lbs. and I daresay even I could make this paper tiger come to life on the silver screen.

PS - No cracks on my weight. I wear it well.

[Funky Cthulu]

Originally Posted by Boaz

Sure he could do it, but the mountain is a one trick pony. He drinks, he curses, he rapes, and he kills... okay, so he knows four tricks. He's an extremely limited character. It would not be a stretch for any tall wrestler to portray him. Heck, I'm 6'5" 260 lbs. and I daresay even I could make this paper tiger come to life on the silver screen.

PS - No cracks on my weight. I wear it well.

Have to disagree with you there Boaz - the Mountain does speak in the books and what he has to say is pretty chilling. An actor that stuffs up his air of casual yet menacing cruelty will make the Mountain a farce. I may get burned for saying this - but remember the Kurgan in Highlander? Huge, menacing guy with a massive sword and no inhibitions? I think the actor actually did a decent job, and made him memorable - but he's not that frightening, to an adult audience. He's huge and intimidating at the start - and then they scripted in a few lame jokes/one liners for him to pull off, and the audience realised he was also kinda dumb and easily provoked.
Gregor is much more psychopathic and I don't see him as stupid. He doesn't rise to the bait all that much - he still kills the taunter, but in his own time.
Big powerful bad guys with deep voices have been lampooned since Darth Vader first came on screen (and before, probably) - I want to see a genuinely chilling Mountain!

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Boaz

Heck, I'm 6'5" 260 lbs.

PS - No cracks on my weight. I wear it well.

You learn something new everyday from your Chronicles Network Forum colleagues.

[MOUNTAIN THAT READS]

sorry about that.....think first drink later

[Culhwch]

And I'd managed to avoid all mention of that... until now. Thanks. At least you didn't give the score, I guess.

[BlueJimmie]

Originally Posted by Boaz

Sure he could do it, but the mountain is a one trick pony. He drinks, he curses, he rapes, and he kills... okay, so he knows four tricks. He's an extremely limited character. It would not be a stretch for any tall wrestler to portray him. Heck, I'm 6'5" 260 lbs. and I daresay even I could make this paper tiger come to life on the silver screen.

PS - No cracks on my weight. I wear it well.

Okay. I'm 5'8" and 270 lbs. I think I wear it well... well around my stomach!

[BookStop]

Originally Posted by BlueJimmie

Okay. I'm 5'8" and 270 lbs. I think I wear it well... well around my stomach!

ha!


I think Vinne Jones would do a fine job - have to make him taller.
Clancy Brown is tall and has a good character look, but he'd have to put on some pounds

[Fourth Hunter]

I can't see Winstone as Robert. I picture Robert as someone huge, it is said that he was huge and manly but then put on some pounds. I keep thinking of a picture in my head of an actor, I just can't place it.

[Culhwch]

Originally Posted by Fourth Hunter

I can't see Winstone as Robert. I picture Robert as someone huge, it is said that he was huge and manly but then put on some pounds. I keep thinking of a picture in my head of an actor, I just can't place it.

Dom DeLuise?

[Weasel Soup]

Oh unpronouncable one... that would be the fox version!

[Commonmind]

Hmm, there are a ton of good suggestions. Here would be mine...

Ned Stark - Gerard Butler: Gerard Butler (granted Gerard isn't a superstar actor, but he has a certain presence and I believe he could definitely pull off Ned's character convincingly)

Catelyn - Lena Heady: Lena Headey (ironically, as I was looking for these guys and gals on imdb I came to realize that Gerard and Lena play husband and wife in the upcoming 300. If anyone has seen the Brothers Grimm {not the greatest piece of cinema} then you'll probably remember Lena, great actress and she has a very matronly beauty)

Lysa Tully - Monica Bellucci: Monica Bellucci (I think a perfect match to Lena, also the mirror queen in the Brothers Grimm)

The Hound - Rufus Sewell: Rufus Sewell (anyone that has seen Dark City, the Illusionist, a Knight's Tale, Bless the Child or any other of Rufus's work knows he has the dynamic, menacing, subtle yet controlled malice needed to play the Hound, great actor)

Bronn - Daniel Craig: Daniel Craig (I) (nothing much to say here, loved him in Munich and Casino Royale, has the right attitude to do Bronn justice)

Cersei Lannister - Cate Blanchett: Cate Blanchett (not much to say here either, The Lord of the Rings, Babel, The Aviator, she has that regal countenance Cersei's character needs and although I personally do not find her attractive, I know quite a few others do find her quite beautiful)

Jaime Lannister - Thomas Jane Thomas Jane (women find him attractive, which Jaime is described as being, but also has that cynical humor that would work well for Jaime)

Tywin Lannister - I don't see Patrick Stewart as Tywin, who I find to have this presence about him that is intimidating and commanding. Patrick Stewart is a fine actor, and I personally am a big fan. However, I see Patrick Stewart as the Old Bear and Tywin Lannister being played by - Scott Glen: Scott Glenn (take a look at a few of his pics, imagine him as described in the books, I think you'll agree. Put the chops on him, shave his hair, put him into armor...)

Jorah Mormount - Ralph Fiennes: Ralph Fiennes (great actor, at his age (44) he is extremely fit, as sir Jorah is explained to be. He also has that very stoic grace and if anyone has seen Red Dragon they remember how easily he could change his tone of character)

Ser Loras - Edward Speleers: Edward Speleers (Played Eragon, my wife tells me he's extremely attractive and he is young)

Tyrion Lannister - Peter Dinklage: Peter Dinklage (There is just no question here, not only does he look the part, but he's actually a good actor and could portray that smart-assed charm that makes Tyrion so lovable)

Gregor Clegane - I think Kane would be a poor choice here, only because I don't imagine Gregor as being a simple-minded brute and that's how Kane comes off to me. Of course, there aren't many actors that would fit the bill when it comes to size and stature, so it's difficult to choose anyone but an athelete of some sort, especially a wrestler. My choice, would definitely be Mark Callaway (a.k.a the Undertaker) I know, I know, another wrestler. But let me say I'm not a wrestling fan, although I have seen quite a bit of it through the years, and in my opinion Mark is more menacing in every way, and has a very intimidating presence that would fit the part well.

http://www.lacoctelera.com/myfiles/q...terrador01.jpg

http://thegypsylife.com/grumpy.jpg

Ilyne Payne - Jason Isaacs: Jason Isaacs (just a perfect choice here, if you've seen him you might agree)

King Joffrey - Thomas Felton: Tom Felton (plays Jason Isaacs son in one of the Harry Potter movies, I think he has the ability to pull off Joff's role flawlessly. I hated him in Harry Potter, and I could hate him in ASoIaF the series, lol)

Brienne - Belinda McClory: Belinda McClory (you'll remember her as switch from the Matrix film, she is a bit more gaunt then Brienne is explained as being, but with some padding and a bit of armor she would be perfect. I think she could pull off her attitude perfectly)

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/20...b__430x311.jpg

Jon Snow, Robb, Sansa, Arya, Dany, Bran, Rickard and a few more of the younger characters I couldn't begin to put actors/actresses to. I am simply not familiar with enough younger actors and actresses. They are all extremely important to the story, and characters like Jon and Arya, whom have quite a few fans, will be hard to cast.

I have more but I'm running out of time and have to get going.

[Boaz]

Originally Posted by Fourth Hunter

I can't see Winstone as Robert. I picture Robert as someone huge, it is said that he was huge and manly but then put on some pounds. I keep thinking of a picture in my head of an actor, I just can't place it.

Marlon Brando? Fred Gwynne? Gerard Depardieu? Brian Blessed? John Rhys-Davies?

The actor who could have nailed this part thirty or forty years ago is Richard Kiel.

Commonmind, Well done! You've put a lot of good thought and effort into this. I'll see 300 soon and be able to give you some feedback on your choice of leads.

The thought that we don't yet know how the last three books will turn out struck me whil reading through Commonmind's selections. Yes, I knew this before, but it's impact on the selection of the cast will be trememdous. Will Tyrion, Cersei, and Jaime live to the end? What still minor or unknown characters will be elevated to major status? Will Brienne even be relevant by the sixth book (if she's even still alive)?

Some actors hired to play minor characters or almost extras could be the main actors at the end. We already know that Ned dies early, so what about the current main characters?

I think this is a great opportunity for the actor chosen to play Tyrion. In AGOT, I first thought Tyrion a minor character... then I thought he was thrown in the POV rotation for effect... later I realized Tyrion was a major character. I don't think there's ever been such a heavy role written for a dwarf. Tyrion's nasty, brilliant, hate filled, merciful, romantic, conniving, and motivated. Imo, he's the best character in the series so far. I wonder how long it will take viewers to discover that he's not just in the story, but that he is the story.

If this series is made, if this series lasts at least three seasons, if the actor playing Tyrion nails it, then the actor chosen to play Tyrion will be lauded and hailed by the entertainment industry. I think this is the role of a lifetime for someone.