Will the Mountain and the Hound ever fight? Hafþór Björnsson weighs in

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson has played the towering and brutish Ser Gregor “the Mountain” Clegane on Game of Thrones since its fourth season. During that time, the Mountain has died and been raised from the dead, and now serves as a personal bodyguard and enforcer for Cersei Lannister.

Could anyone take him down? Some fans are hoping that the Mountain’s younger brother, Sandor “the Hound” Clegane will one day best his brother in a nigh-mythic event known as Cleganebowl. And we now know, by the way, that the Hound is heading south so he can be present at the meeting in the Dragonpit with Cersei Lannister. Entertainment Weekly asked Björnsson if fans will finally get their wish:

That’s definitely something I would like to see. And for most of the fans, it’s something they’re all waiting for. It looks like it’s going to go that way, but who knows?
I haven’t seen it yet in my head how I would kill him, but somehow I would smash his head or kill him like that. I think the fight would be quick rather than something long. I think people would be expecting a big fight but I would finish him really fast. It would be a surprise to people.

“Cleganebowl” over in just a few seconds? For shame.

The Hound has wanted to kill his brother for a long time, ever since Gregor shoved Sandor’s face into an open fire and gave him the facial scars he carries to this day. The last time they clashes was in season 1, at the tournament King Robert threw for the Hand of the King Ned Stark.

So Björnsson thinks the Mountain would survive “Cleganebowl.” But does he think his character will make it out of the series as a whole? “I don’t know,” he said. “To be honest with you, I think I will die at some point. I would like to live. I think it’s pretty obvious I’m going to die in a fight.”

Technically the Mountain is dead already, Mr. Björnsson. Not that we want to be the one to tell him.

Offscreen, Björnsson shares very little in common with the homicidal Gregor Clegane. He describes Game of Thrones fans as “very nice, and loyal to the show,” although they often have an unorthodox request for him:

I get a lot of requests fans asking if I want to squeeze their eyes. That’s very popular. Or pick them up over head. But the most popular to squeeze their eyes out.

Whatever works for you.

Next: Curtain Call: Paul Kaye

Game of Thrones concludes its seventh season this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. EST.

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