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Game of Thrones is an upcoming television series on HBO based on the best selling A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. Game of Thrones is an epic, high fantasy series about the fight for control of Westeros which was inspired by The War of the Roses in medieval Europe. Though it's been labeled as fantasy, Game of Thrones is more about the struggle for power and family dynamics than it is about typical fantasy tropes like magic and elves. As co-producer and writer David Benioff put it: If you have to just pick one word to describe it, its the word power and how it affects those who are pursuing it, and how those who already have it try to retain it, and how those who are caught in the crossfire between the two are mutilated in the process. In addition to complex characters living in a well thought out and developed world, the story boasts plenty of violence, sex, and other adult oriented content.
The series premieres Sunday, April 17th at 9pm on HBO. The 10 episode Season 1 will cover the events of "A Game of Thrones", the first book in the ASoIaF series. HBO is planning to shoot a season for each book in the series. At the moment, GRRM is working on the fifth book in a projected seven book series. The budget for the series was estimated at somewhere around $60 million.
HBO's Press Release on Game of Thrones:
Summary off of the book from back when it was published:HBO said:In a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, trouble is brewing. From the scheming south and the savage eastern lands, to the frozen north and the ancient Wall that protects the realm from the darkness beyond, two powerful families are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
As betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdoms, their bloody struggle for the Iron Throne will have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences.
A Game of Thrones Back Cover Blurb said:Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.
Cast: The cast of Season 1 will have at least one hundred named characters. These are the eighteen actors and actresses labeled recurring cast members by HBO listed in alphabetical order. There are a lot of other important characters, but I didn't think it was worth it to include the other 80+ here. If you'd like to dig into who's playing what roles, check out WiC.net's full cast list & photos. Also, HBO have a cast page with pictures and bios of the main players.
Crew: HBO has assembled a considerable amount of talent to put together Game of Thrones. David Benioff (The 25th Hour) and D.B. Weiss (Lucky Wander Boy) head up the writing staff. Other episode writers include Jane Espenson, Bryan Cogman, and George RR Martin. Brian Kirk (Boardwalk Empire) is serving as the series director along with a number of other experienced directors like Timothy Van Patten (The Wire, Rome), Daniel Minahan, and Alan Taylor. Check out WiC's crew page for details on other crew members.
HBO have released an astonishing number of videos relating to the series. This includes trailers, sneak peek scenes, and introductions to the characters. There are a few spoilers within these videos, so watch at your own risk. WiC.net also has a video gallery.
15-minute Sneak Peek at the series
30-minute Making Game of Thrones feature from HBO
Promos and Trailers:
Scenes from the upcoming series from Maester's Path rewards:
The Houses:
Additional Behind the Scenes Videos:
The Artisans: (The crew and cast discuss their role in the series)