Adapting a book into a movie or television series is always a frightening prospect—but can be exhilarating as well in the right hands!
First, I will always be one of those people who believes the book will always be better than the movie. Since each of us have been blessed with a movie theater behind our eyes, we are given the opportunity to envision characters exactly as we believe them to be upon reading a book. That is part of the fun of reading. But the sad reality is we all “see” characters differently and, in giving a casting director power over those thoughts, can influence or sometimes outright destroy what we ourselves saw on the silver screen in our heads.
Second, despite the first point, I am utterly excited about what is happening with the pilot episode of A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin!
HBO, the cable network that has brought us such hits as The Sopranos, Deadwood, Rome and now the vampire-fantasy hit True Blood, has not only purchased the rights to produce seasons of episodes based on A Song of Ice & Fire series by George R. R. Martin, but they have already begun production and casting for the pilot.
As a fan of A Game of Thrones this has been scary and exciting at the same time!
George has been slowly releasing the casting information as it has been confirmed. Rather than go into each actor cast and post my thoughts on each—mostly because I know what I see in my head probably contradicts what you see in your head—I decided to gather together some of the better news stories about what is occurring and post those links here for your perusal:
I have no doubt, as news progresses, that George will keep us all in the loop. And since his fan base is legion, I also have no doubt we will start seeing some pictures from Northern Ireland where the pilot will soon be shot.
Is this exciting for you? What do you think about all of this? Are you scared about the prospect of an HBO series? Would you rather George not have any distractions and finish A Dance With Dragons?
Winter is Coming—to HBO!
Peter Dinklage is EXACTLY the picture I had in my head for Tyrion, ever since I saw Peter beat up Will Ferrell in Elf as a deranged children's book author.
Personally, I want George doing whatever allows George to write such great books. If that means he's sidetracked with shooting in Ireland, I'm all for it.
George owes me nothing, as Robert Rigney owed me nothing with WoT. What they've given already is enough. Everything going forward is bonus.