HBO has just released a long video, focusing on the wildlings on the show, including commentary from George R.R. Martin. Some glimpses of some of the new cast members, as well, such as Kristofer Hivju as Tormund:
HBO has created a brand new way for fans of Game of Thrones to immerse themselves in its world, by creating a family arms generator at Join the Realm. Given that the Citadel’s heraldry section was one of the only things the nascent Westeros.org had many, many years ago, we entirely approve of this approach. The family arms and words are a terrific aspect of the novels, and it’s only a shame that the show can’t (presumably for reasons of budget and ease of storytelling) really embrace it as fully. But HBO’s crack marketing team? No limits for them, Seven bless them!
So go ahead and join the realm!
An excellent new interview with George R.R. Martin has been published by the UK newspaper The Telegraph. Conducted and written by Jessica Salter, the article takes us into Martin’s home—some very nice pictures of his collection of ASoIaF-related art, and (for us) a rather thrilling look at one of the stained glass windows he commissioned for his “Library Tower” (thrilling, because the design is very familiar)—as he discusses his life and his work.
It’s definitely worth reading.
The Guardian has published a very good article by popular historian Tom Holland, ahead of the premiere of Game of Thrones. He discusses in some detail the historical antecedents of a number of characters and events in the novels, but goes on to explain why he feels Martin’s approach to creating and populating his world is essentially second only to J.R.R. Tolkien’s (high praise indeed) despite being far less rigorous. A very entertaining read, especially as it starts by considering the series in relation to the Booker Prize-winning historical fiction of Hilary Mantel.
BBC Magazine has a new piece out focused very much on Game of Thrones and the fans it inspires. As with most mainstream media takes on these things, it focuses a fair bit on the more extreme expressions of fandom, but on the whole it covers a wide range of fan expression pretty well. The only thing it really lacks is attention to the Internet fandom and social media part of things, which has been such a big component of the show’s “viral” success, we think.
We know interviews with cast and crew of HBO’s Game of Thrones are going out there fast and furious right now, but we’re going to dive in and add to the plentitude. Each day, from here on toward the premiere on March 31st, we’ll feature an interview with a different actor from Game of Thrones season 3. You’ll see interviews from old favorites like Iain Glen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Kit Harington… and plenty of new faces, as well, whom we’ve never had the pleasure of interviewing before, such as Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Gwendoline Christie, and Rose Leslie.
To kick off the series, you can read the interview with Michelle Fairely that we’ve just posted. Some hints about what’s going on in season 3, some thoughts about some of her fellow actors and the process of working on the show, and more!
Check in tomorrow evening when we’ll post another interview. Haven’t quite decided who we’ll post just yet—so hard to choose.
You’ve asked for it, and now it’s here. The A World of Ice and Fire app—a handy, dandy, official and art-filled guide to the novels that Linda and I helped provide the majority of the content of (with oversight from GRRM)—is now available for Android at Google Play (unfortunately, for the time being, it’s US only).
There’s a deal of new content along with this version of the app, content that will be included in the iOs app when it gets its next iTunes update. These include:
We’re aleady running a contest to win tickets to the Stockholm premiere, thanks to the Swedish branch of HBO Nordic... but we’ve also gotten the opportunity to run a contest for the Danish fans out there, for a chance to win VIP tickets to the premiere of season 3 of Game of Thrones in Copenhagen. We’ve 10 VIP tickets to give out, and these tickets cover yourself plus a companion.
Here’s the details on the event:
Date: March 27th at 6 PM.
Location: Odd Fellow Palæet, Bredgade 28, 1260 Copenhagen.
The will be a night in the spirit of Game of Thrones with a true-to-size replica of the Iron Throne and a screening of the first episode of Game of Thrones season 3. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau will be present and will entertain the crowds. There will be drinks and food and many hundred GoT fans present.
As to how to enter? Just comment on this post, and we’ll randomly select winners in the next few days!
Sean Collins of Boiled Leather has a very solid interview with writer and story editor Bryan Cogman, discussing the process of adapting and creating seasons past, present, and future. Some interesting thoughts along the way… and a reveal that he, David, and Dan hung out with GRRM in Santa Fe for a few days and apparently picked up yet more information about where Martin is taking the story as he works towards its conclusion. Definitely a must read.
Yet another preview video, courtesy of HBO. Now there’s something of a surfeit of these, I must say—in particular, this one is mostly footage we’ve already seen. But, hey, for those who’ve missed the earlier ones…
Our screencapping backlog is getting longer and longer. Too much to do, too little time to do it in!
The webcast of the panel featuring cast and crew members from Game of Thrones—including George R.R. Martin—is set to begin at about 7:40 PM Pacific time. You can watch it embedded below:
For those who’ve asked, it certainly looks like this webcast will then join the “Webcasts on Demand” that the Emmys’ site offers. We don’t know if there’ll be a log of hours or days before this happens, however.
From Marc N. Kleinhenz—who’s written for us before, and for many other sites bsides, comes a new volume of his work focused on A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones, including the transcript of a round table discussion in which Elio participated. This looks to be worth checking out, especially
http://www.amazon.com/It-Is-Known-Analysis-ebook/dp/B00BV8U58C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1363471956&sr=8-3&keywords=marc+n.+kleinhenz/”>And now he has a new ebook out.
It Is Known: An Analysis of Thrones, Vol. II is a collection of nearly two dozen articles â`“ two exclusive to this release â`“ that delve into the very heart of the HBO series’s second season. Covering not only what was changed from the novels, but also why, as well as offering commentary on the character and thematic development seen across the season, the book is an indispensable companion piece to Game of Thrones.
Here’s a complete list of its contents:
UPDATE: We’ve just learned that Rory McCann, who played the Hound, will be present at the premiere and the associated festivities!
Live in Sweden? Interested in being one of the privileged few who’ll watch the first episode of Game of Thrones on March 26th, almost a week earlier than everyone else? Thanks to HBO Nordic, you have a chance! See below for the full details (in Swedish, naturally):
This advertisment from Time Warner Cable is just about the cutest use of a baby weapon of mass destruction I’ve ever seen:
George R.R. Martin may be one of the panelists at the Emmy webcast tomorrow, but if you’re eager to read an in-depth interview with him, you can’t go wrong with this very interesting interview from the New Jersey Monthly, which goes hand-in-hand with their profile of “the King of Fantasy”.
Great to hear a bit more about Martin’s early life, a bit more about the origins of the series, and some of his thoughts on the television show. Here’s a quote: