Sean Bean to star in HBO's A Game of Thrones

[Forkboy]

Sean Bean famously played Boromir in The Lord of the Rings, so it seems natural for him to have been cast in the lead role of Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark in HBO's upcoming adaptation of A Game of Thrones, the first book in George R.R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series of fantasy novels.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tom McCarthy will direct from a script by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who are also executive-producing.

The trade paper also reported that Mark Addy is in final negotiations to join the production. Kit Harrington, Jack Gleeson and Harry Lloyd also have come aboard:

The books revolve around a battle among seven kingdoms and between two ruling families for control of the Iron Throne, the possession that ensures survival through a 40-year winter to come.

Bean will play Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark, known for his sense of honor and justice, who becomes closest adviser to King Robert (Addy).

Harrington will play Jon Snow, Bean's bastard son, and Lloyd will play Viserys, a powerless ruler who seeks to marry off his sister to a powerful king. Gleeson will play Joffrey, King Robert's son.

Peter Dinklage also is in the cast for the production, which is in the pilot stage and begins shooting in October in Ireland.

http://scifiwire.com/2009/07/sean-bean-to-star-in-hbos.php

[Mythsaje]

1. Filming in Ireland?

That's a good idea. As pretty as NZ is, it's been overused... Of course, maybe I think so because I recognized some of the scenery in "The Seeker" from watching "Xena."

Of course another good location would be Chile. Beautiful terrain that isn't at all familiar either.

[LeftyMom]

2. I don't know if you can really call that starring since *spoiler*

Eddard doesn't make it more than 2/3 of the way through the first season.

[enlightenment]

4. Depends on how they write it, doesn't it?

He might make it through 3/4 . . . :evilgrin:

But it wouldn't be Bean if he didn't die horribly, anyway. He can add this one to the infamous 'Death by Cow' list!

[Prism]

3. I'm psyched

This is currently my favorite fantasy series.

[ET Awful]

5. Mine too.

I wasn't even aware this was in the works :).

[yellowdogintexas]

9. OMG Quinn and Althea!!!!! How are they doing?

I adore your kitties.

[WCIL]

6. I own this book but haven't read it.

It sounds interesting though, I will move it higher on my TBR pile.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. get busy and read that thing, there are 3 more behind it and a 5th one

may be released during the reigh of the current monarch

[Onceuponalife]

7. Excellent choice to play Stark

I love this series. Peter Dinklage will play my fave character, Tyrion Lannister. I hope they don't give short shrift to my other two faves, Sansa and Arya Stark.

[Salviati]

10. I'm sure they'll get plenty of time..

Arya seems to be a pretty popular fan favorite, and Sansa seems to be getting almost as much character development as Jaimie...

[KatyMan]

11. Completely lost interest in GRRM

It was so long between books 3 and 4 that I forgot the first 3 and didn't like certain things that I don't want to spoil for anyone. Plus the Danirys or whatever thing seemed dumb. I enjoyed it when I read the first 3, but couldn't be arsed about it now. Would probably watch this though. Maybe I'm just grumpy.