Filming delayed until “late July” per GRRM
In a recent comment on his Not A Blog, George R. R. Martin confirms what I had suspected, that principal photography on the first season of Game of Thrones is being pushed back until late July. He also mentions his plans (or lack thereof) on visiting the shoot.
Much as I would like to spend a lot of time watching the HBO series being filmed, it is simply not possible. I have way too much work to do here at home.
(And truth be told, a writer on a film set is often as useful as nipples on a breastplate. By the time the cameras start to roll, the project rests in the hands of the actors, directors, and showrunners. I am none of those things on GAME OF THRONES)
I may decide to visit the shoot when my own episode — episode eight — is being filmed. But even that depends on when and where and what I’m doing at the time. I will likely also drop by Belfast for a day or two after Octocon in Dublin come October, since I’ll be in Ireland anyway. (If we’re shooting in Belfast at that time, and not on some distant location). But only for a day or three.
Also, FWIW, I am now informed that the start of principle photography has been pushed back to late July.
Winter Is Coming: No surprise here. Consider, with just one month to go before shooting was scheduled to begin on the pilot all the major roles were cast, save Bran and Drogo, and most of the minor roles were filling up as well. Now, one month out from the planned start to filming and none of the additional major or minor roles have been filled. Actually they have less of the major roles cast then they did when the green light was given (Dany)! So the casting process seems to be taking longer than expected. And it sounds like the behind-the-scenes stuff may be a bit behind schedule as well.
All-in-all, while I’m a little bummed we will have to wait an extra month before we get all those fun set reports, I’m glad they are not rushing this thing. Hopefully HBO can temper this somewhat-bad news with some casting announcements!
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