Expectations are running high for Season 4 of "Game of Thrones." After the massacre of the Red Wedding that managed to top the Battle of Blackwater in Season 2 and the beheading of Ned Stark in Season 1, audiences are waiting to see how the show will top itself.
Here are some of the high points from the 15-minute trailer that premiered Sunday night.
On the Red Wedding
You'd expect Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) to say about the Red Wedding, “I knew it was coming and it ripped me up inside. I cried.” But The Hound (played by Rory McCann) saying “I actually shed a tear then” is a bit more surprising.
On Tyrion
Things are not looking good for Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister). His ability to talk his way out of anything doesn't appear to be much help for him this season. “This time around, he's left as an audience member,” says Dinklage.
Co-showrunner David Benioff says, “This is definitely the most dangerous season for Tyrion. It seems like almost every episode, he's in jeopardy of getting his head removed from his shoulders.” Lena Headey says her character Cersei Lannister apparently makes it worse: “There's no boundary with her and Tyrion of inflicting emotional damage. She's quite happy to do it.”
But he does get a hand up (though not two) in the form of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister). The two brothers “definitely have a love that Tyrion doesn't have with the other members of his family,” according to Dinklage.
[Video: Watch the First 'Game of Thrones' Season 4 Trailer Right Here]
On the newcomer to King's Landing, Oberyn Martell
“He's very, very dangerous. But he's also good,” says Pedro Pascal, who plays the new character. Of course, being “good” in the land of Westeros doesn't usually work out. (See Ned, Robb, Catelyn, Talisa, Maester Lewin, Grey Wind, Lady...) Though he's coming for vengeance, which has a pretty good track record of success.
On Joffrey
Though quick to praise Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon) as an actor, nobody seems to be able to muster up many kind words for his character. “He's got nice eyes,” says McCann.
The Purple Wedding
The centerpiece of the season is Joffrey's wedding to Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer). In terms of size, it seems to rival the Battle of Blackwater — and, of course, if you've read the books, you know it's as momentous (if not more). “It was like shooting a short film in itself,” says Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister).
On Jon Snow and Sam
Back at Castle Black, Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington) is the only Stark left not being held captive by anybody. Since he turned his back on his wildling lady-friend Ygritte, the Jon/Sam bromance is rekindled, though the playing field is more level. “I think without Sam, Jon would crumble,” says Harington.
In Case You Were Wondering...
* Kristian Nairn (Hodor) was wearing prosthetics for his full-frontal nudity scene.
* John Bradley (Sam) was being chased through the snow by a quad bike to generate the proper amount of fear in his face during the opening scene of Season 3.
* Acting against the direwolves involves “this big green sausage dummy shoved in your face,” or so says Harington.
[Photos: Check Out More Pics From 'Game of Thrones' Season 4]
* Coster-Waldau and Dinklage attempted to lighten the mood of a long shoot by dancing through their long entrance. The extras were amused, "but," says Dinklage, ”the crew was really tired. I don't think they responded.”
* When Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) are together on set, Turner says, “there's usually a lot of sleepovers and we do a lot of knock-and-runs on people's hotel doors.”
* Christie says she bites a man's ear off and spits it in his face this season. Her laughter suggests she is either the most fun or most insane member of the cast. Possibly both.
“Things get going much more quickly”
That, from Benioff, who says that this season jumps right into the action rather than building to it like in previous seasons.
“It's more thrilling throughout than Season 3 was,” agrees Harington. “There are more climactic events in Season 4 than there have ever been before,” offers David Weiss, who runs the show along with Benioff.
And if you're sick of seeing your favorite characters die horribly, Williams offers some hope. “The good guys are coming back this year, and that's nice to see. We're making a stand.”
On dragons
They're bigger.
desi Admin
Posts : 22502 Join date : 2012-04-24 Location : Canada
This season will conclude the third book(which is my favorite, I saw so many scenes in that video that I recognized right away) and then start the 4th and 5th books towards the 5,6, or 7 ep mark. I am so stoked for this to come back, Derek, This is one set of books that you HAVE to READ!
_________________ He is the Prince who was promised, and his is the song of Ice and Fire
EZ - I loved the 3rd book as well. The last 100 pages or so practically had me breathless! The episodes that depict the last parts of book 3 should be awesome.
Although I haven't watched any of the show since I don't have HBO.
I'm totally a book nerd. One of the greatest joys in my life in sitting on the sofa, cuddled up in my quilt and reading.
Ever since I got a Kindle Paperwhite, I read even more. LOVE my kindle!
I've given up cable, and just watch stuff online and Netflix. But now my internet provider is telling me that I'm watching too much stuff online, and I got a "talking" to about it.
So, at this point, I don't care that much anymore about TV or movies. Reading is much better, IMHO.
Ez Moderator
Posts : 9256 Join date : 2012-04-07 Age : 43 Location : Amarillo, TX
EZ - I loved the 3rd book as well. The last 100 pages or so practically had me breathless! The episodes that depict the last parts of book 3 should be awesome.
Although I haven't watched any of the show since I don't have HBO.
I'm about 1/3 of the way into book 4.
You can get the first couple of seasons on Blu Ray/DVD as well, they do a tremendous job with the show, they bring the book to life awesomely( is that a words?) It is the best adaptation form book to film I have ever seen!
_________________ He is the Prince who was promised, and his is the song of Ice and Fire
desi Admin
Posts : 22502 Join date : 2012-04-24 Location : Canada
Subject: Re: GoT News, Announcements & Spoilers Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:23 am
Tonight at 8:30pm EST on HBO
Game of Thrones: The Politics of Power: A Look Back at Season 3
A look back at Season 3 of the series. The fourth season begins April 6.
_________________ The Sun lit the Earth like never before.
The wind blew with a new purpose.
The destruction of a fabrication that once held all the answers.
It destroyed them; swallowed them whole.
Passed through the digestive system of a monster named truth.
-Astaria Stone
rikkuisme
Posts : 205 Join date : 2012-08-14 Location : Pennsylvania
_________________ The Sun lit the Earth like never before.
The wind blew with a new purpose.
The destruction of a fabrication that once held all the answers.
It destroyed them; swallowed them whole.
Passed through the digestive system of a monster named truth.
-Astaria Stone
rikkuisme
Posts : 205 Join date : 2012-08-14 Location : Pennsylvania
Subject: Re: GoT News, Announcements & Spoilers Sat May 03, 2014 10:38 pm
Yes, I must have read that same article... Plus, I am assuming that one of the scenes from the last episode was actually a spoiler for one of the upcoming books (with THE white walker)
Ez Moderator
Posts : 9256 Join date : 2012-04-07 Age : 43 Location : Amarillo, TX
Subject: Re: GoT News, Announcements & Spoilers Sat May 03, 2014 10:51 pm
rikkuisme wrote:
Yes, I must have read that same article... Plus, I am assuming that one of the scenes from the last episode was actually a spoiler for one of the upcoming books (with THE white walker)
I have a post about that in the last ep's thread, check it out.
In the continuing adventures of the worst-kept secret in Game of Thrones land, Kit Harington was seen heading back to Belfast, Northern Ireland last night.
On the same flight was Tom Wlaschiha, who portrays everyone’s favorite Sexy Jesus Assassin on the show, Jaqen H’ghar.
This new report comes to us courtesy of WotW reader Lucy, who was on the flight from London to Belfast last night with the actors. Lucy submitted a few photos that she snapped of the actors, confirming the sighting.
For those of you deeply invested in #HairWatch, Harington was sporting a man-bun.
So once again it’s back to Belfast, the major home of Game of Thrones production for a supposedly dead main character. The cast table read happened a couple days ago and is done with, but filming was due to begin this week, so it’s no surprise that some actors are returning to Northern Ireland.
Is it possible Harington is there to simply film a funeral/play a dead body? Technically. But considering how many visits he’s had to Belfast in the past couple months of pre-production, I find it very difficult to believe. Harington has also refused to take photos with any fans in Belfast recently, according to several Twitter mentions.
I just copied the whole page over!
_________________ He is the Prince who was promised, and his is the song of Ice and Fire
HUGE news out of the Television Critics Association upfronts this evening: HBO President Michael Lombardo has just said that Game of Thrones will go at least two more seasons.
For years now, Benioff and Weiss have held fast: Seven Books, Seven Gods, Seven Kingdoms, Seven Seasons. But with only 20 episodes left to wrap it all up, and faced with a cable channel that really wants more, it seems they’ve given in. Entertainment Weekly has just reported from the TCA upfronts that HBO says Game of Thrones will go at least eight seasons.
“Seven-seasons-and-out has never been the [internal] conversation,” Lombardo said to critics at the Television Critics Association’s press tour Thursday. “The question is how much beyond seven are we going to do. [Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss are] feel like there’s two more years after six. I would always love for them to change their minds. That’s what we’re looking at right now.”
And even more exciting: once the series is over, HBO is open to going back and doing prequels.
“I would be open to anything Dan and David want to do,” Lombardo said. “It really would depend fully on what they want to do. I think you’re right, there’s enormous storytelling to be mined in a prequel. We haven’t had any conversations.”
I somehow doubt that Benioff and Weiss would want to go directly into prequels—both have talked about how exhausting this process is, and that when they are done they will need a break. But if HBO is looking to do it and Martin is game, I’m certain that even if they decide they need a break after the intensity of producing Game of Thrones, someone will be found to do it.
_________________ He is the Prince who was promised, and his is the song of Ice and Fire
Ez Moderator
Posts : 9256 Join date : 2012-04-07 Age : 43 Location : Amarillo, TX
Subject: Re: GoT News, Announcements & Spoilers Sat Aug 01, 2015 3:41 pm
Entertainment Weekly just broke the news that actor Ian McShane will be joining the cast of Game of Thrones for Season 6. McShane won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Drama for his portrayal of Al Swearengen in HBO’s Deadwood back in 2005 and is currently appearing on Showtime’s Ray Donovan. According to EW, the actor has a “relatively small amount of screen-time during the season.” However, this mysterious character will be important.
In June, we told you about the casting rumors of several characters, including that of “Father,” who is described as: “Aged 50’s to 60’s, he’s one of the greatest soldiers in Westeros- a humorless martinet, severe and intimidating. He demands martial discipline in the field and in his home. It’s described as “a very good part” for next year and that he’s “centrally involved” in a protagonist’s storyline.”
Based on that description, I would hazard a guess that Ian McShane will be portraying Randyll Tarly, father of Sam. Lord Tarly is the Lord of Horn Hill and the head of House Tarly. He wields House Tarly’s ancestral Valyrian steel greatsword, Heartsbane, which he carries in a scabbard across his back. He is described as one of the finest battle commanders in all of Westeros, and is a man of iron will.
HBO has been keeping a relatively tight lid on Game of Thrones casting lately, so I don’t expect McShane’s character’s actual name to be announced until later this year, when the other new roles are filled.
_________________ He is the Prince who was promised, and his is the song of Ice and Fire
Ez Moderator
Posts : 9256 Join date : 2012-04-07 Age : 43 Location : Amarillo, TX
Subject: Re: GoT News, Announcements & Spoilers Sat Sep 26, 2015 3:04 am
Spoiler:
Kit Harrington on set, in costume very much alive, not in Night Watch's uniform either, it looks like the Stark armor he is wearing.
_________________ He is the Prince who was promised, and his is the song of Ice and Fire
