MGoT update: Jousting and Fruit Ninja

A new Dispatch from the Seven Kingdoms from Bryan Cogman today, this one focusing on the filming of the Hand’s tournament. Oh, and Fruit Ninja.

It was Harry Lloyd (Viserys) who first brought this addictive iPhone game to the attention of young Maisie Williams (Arya), who, in turn, exposed it to David & Dan.  The fever spread, and now cast and crew alike are engaged in a mighty battle for ninja supremacy. No need to get into the specifics of the game here…suffice to say, it involves fruit. And ninjas.

Of course, Cogman also gave us some info on the actual shoot itself:

Hmm? The Tourney of the Hand? Yeah, that’s happening here too. The stands have been erected, banners flap in the breeze featuring sigils from the great houses (I’m particularly fond of graphic artist Jim Stanes’ design for House Royce), and a sea of extras cheer as we film the tournament scenes from Episodes IV and V. There’s a lot to take in here – jousting, hand-to-hand swordplay, intense, dramatic exchanges in the stands…thank the Gods we have several days to work on it and the weather is behaving itself.

Winter Is Coming: Hilarious stuff today from Bryan. Informative as well. The question of whether the tourney will be packed into one episode has been answered. It looks like it will be split over two episodes. Probably one episode for each day of the tournament (it’s two days long in the books, I believe).

Oh, and be sure to read the whole post to find out the current standings of Fruit Ninja high scores amongst the Game of Thrones cast and crew. Who are you backing as your favorite Fruit Ninja player? I’m Team Sansa myself. Go Sophie!

UPDATE: The graphic designer mentioned in the post, Jim Stanes, has a blog where he has posted some of his work on Thrones. The Targaryen banner we have seen already, but this coded message is new. Based on when this was posted, it would have been designed for the pilot. The obvious guess is that it is Lysa’s message to Catelyn. But the script does appear to be more like something from the Free Cities, perhaps it is seen at Illyrio’s manse? The code has been cracked! Commenter tek was the first to crack it, it reads (spoilers!):

Catelyn, I write this in haste and danger. We have fled the capitol and fear for our livos (sic). Jon Arryn did not die naturally. He was mprdered (sic). The Lannister Cercei was behind this. Beware! Your sister with love, Lysa

• Published on 10/13/2010 at 2:17 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 5:14 PM CDT