Bran confirmed; more clues given

Confirmation for the role of Bran Stark has come from HBO via the Chicago Tribune’s Maureen Ryan. As usual, WiC readers guessed it correctly (Paul J to be specific). Here is a snippet of what Ryan wrote:

HBO says the official start date of production on the pilot of “Game of Thrones,” one of the network’s most hotly anticipated projects, is Oct. 24.

Principal photography begins in earnest the following week in Northern Ireland. Other filming locations reportedly include Scotland and Morocco (HBO has not confirmed those locations, but George R.R. Martin, the author of the book series on which “Thrones” is based, has said he plans to go to Morocco for the filming of part of the pilot).

The network also confirmed that Isaac Hempstead-Wright has been cast in the key role of Bran Stark, the son of Eddard Stark, a powerful lord. Bran is a child as the epic “Thrones” book series begins, but his role becomes increasingly important to the story as it progresses.

HBO’s “Thrones” pilot, which has not yet been picked up as a series, is based on the first book of Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series of novels.

In addition, Martin has a post up on his Not A Blog indicating that two more speaking roles have been cast, most likely Illyrio and Luwin. Take a look.

And Then There Was One

I could tell you the latest casting news, but really, the big guy should do that.

The grey man once had groupies. Yes, girls. Who?

The horse is saddled and bridled, but the rider has not yet appeared.

Winter Is Coming: Great news on the Hempstead-Wright confirmation! I think he has the perfect look. Hopefully he has the acting talent as well. Reviews from some of the plays he has been in at a youth theater were very praising of him, so that bodes well. Also it is nice to learn that the filming date has been moved up again. So two of our three guesses have been confirmed (Esme Bianco and Hempstead-Wright). Ryan mentions Campbell Bower as being highly likely to be cast, but still no official confirmation.

Our work is not done, of course, as we now have more clues to ponder. Ryan mentions that Drogo has yet to be cast. And Martin’s post seems to confirm that. Still we have clues for two more roles. I’m confident that we can figure these out too, if we haven’t already…

• Published on 10/13/2009 at 8:57 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/13/2009 at 8:57 PM CDT