Game of Thrones

Secrets are perhaps the most prized currency in all of Westeros, so it makes a certain amount of sense that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the show runners of HBO’s lavish series “Game of Thrones,” are reluctant to divulge too many details concerning what audiences might expect from the show’s third season. Ominous hints are OK, though. “I think we’re heading into the negative population growth phase of the show,” Weiss said. That tidbit hardly will come as a surprise to readers familiar with George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels, the elaborate fantasy series that inspired the intricate, eye-popping show and chronicles the masterful manipulations and wars that break out over who will control the Iron Throne. QUIZ: Test your “Game of Thrones” knowledge The third book, “A Storm of Swords,” forms the spine for the […]

“Game of Thrones” fans, HBO has a message for you: Don’t take your downloading tips from director David Petrarca. The premium pay channel issued a terse statement Wednesday morning countering Petrarca’s comments suggesting that “Game of Thrones’” distinction as the most pirated show on TV is actually a good thing. “’Game of Thrones’ is sold worldwide, available legally on a large variety of viewing platforms and is one of HBO’s most popular series,” the statement said. “With that kind of success comes a great amount of social media chatter so can’t say we see an upside to illegal downloads.” QUIZ: Test your “Game of Thrones” knowledge Petrarca comments were pinging around the blogosphere this week after he suggested that piracy can contribute to a show’s “cultural buzz” and added: ”That’s how they survive.” The comments were documented by the Sydney Morning Herald […]

This post has been updated. See the note below for details. Were you — or your “friends” — feeling a tiny bit guilty about illegally downloading HBO’s “Game of Thrones”? Probably not. But if you were, banish the thought. Director David Petrarca downplayed the series’ unusual distinction as the most pirated show on TV, suggesting that illegal downloads help create “cultural buzz” around shows and adds to their word-of-mouth cachet. “That’s how they survive,” Petrarca was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. Petrarca, who has directed several episodes of “Game of Thrones,” was making an appearance at the University of Western Australia for the Perth’s Writers Festival. The notion that piracy is not only not detrimental, but also might actually be instrumental to a show’s success stands in sharp contrast to Hollywood’s party line — that piracy is devastating to […]

The Season 3 trailer of “Game of Thrones” bowed Friday night — not on HBO but on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” as the pay cable channel allowed ABC to make the big reveal. See the trailer below. Kimmel is a big “Game of Thrones” fan, having brought on as guests many members of the show’s cast, including Lena Headey and Emilia Clarke.  “Thrones” will premiere March 31 on HBO, and right about now many fans are saying, “Finally!” Season 2 favorites are seen in the video including Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) with a nasty scar, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), Jon Snow (Kit Harington), as well as newcomers Mance Rayder (Ciaran Hinds) and Brynden Tully (Clive Russell). VIDEO: Who wears the crown in Westeros? “Game of  Thrones” is based on the bestselling, seven-novel fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” by […]

Peter Dinklage is making the leap from “Game of Thrones” to the new “X-Men” movie, “Days of Future Past.” News of the casting came via a tweet by Bryan Singer, who will return to direct the newest installment of the sci-fi franchise that pits mutants against humanity: Officially like to welcome #PeterDinklage from #GameOfThrones to #XMEN #DaysofFuturePast Very very excited!— Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) February 14, 2013 Dinklage joins a star-studded cast that includes a mix of actors from Singer’s first two “X-Men” movies and the Matthew Vaughn-directed prequel, “X-Men: First Class.” Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence and Patrick Stewart are already on board for the time-traveling adventure based on one of the most well-known storylines of the “Uncanny X-Men” comic books. ‘Game of Thrones’: Peter Dinklage sees series challenges ahead It’s unclear what role Dinklage will play. While many have speculated that […]

Who’s the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros? That’s the question posed by “Game of Thrones” executive producer David Benioff in a roundtable discussion with some of the show’s stars — a special feature on the Season 2 home video release. The answer, like in the George R. R. Martin fantasy book series on which the HBO series is based, depends on who you ask. “Obviously it’s Dany, but technically at the time for you guys, I suppose it’s Stannis,” said Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen, an exiled princess with a trio of pet dragons. “But it’s not really, because you’re just usurpers, all of you.” Clarke, Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Lena Headey (Queen Cersei), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark) and Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth) all weigh in during the roundtable, moderated by Benioff and co-executive producer D.B. Weiss. Hero Complex readers get […]

The icicles in Jon Snow’s beard are real — the result of filming in Iceland rather than using special effects — in the hit HBO fantasy series “Game of Thrones.” The show’s production blog posted a video Thursday revealing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the cast and crew filming scenes from Season 3 in the snow-covered mountains of Iceland. The upcoming season of “Game of Thrones” (based on George R. R. Martin’s bestselling “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series) will continue to follow Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, a Night’s Watch soldier who was kidnapped by Wildlings north of the wall protecting Westeros. “It’s harsh weather conditions. It’s not easy to shoot here,” Harington said in the video. “But the country’s so beautiful that it makes it such a pleasure to come here.” Harsh conditions indeed. “Yesterday we […]

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” doesn’t return for its third season until March 31, but a new round of photos reveals what’s in store for the denizens of Westeros — and offers an early look at some of the newest additions to the already expansive cast. Chief among the new characters joining the lineup is Ciaran Hinds as King Beyond the Wall Mance Rayder, with other new faces including Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Redwyne, otherwise known as the Queen of Thorns, who’s best described as the Dowager Countess of Westeros. Rigg, of course, remains a beloved figure for her turn as Emma Peel on the BBC TV series “The Avengers.” QUIZ: Test your “Game of Thrones” knowledge The third season of “Game of Thrones” will be based on the first half of “A Storm of Swords,” the third book in […]

“Fringe” might have just concluded its run last week with an emotional two-hour finale, but that’s hardly reason for discerning genre television fans to despair. AMC’s hit zombie series “The Walking Dead” picks up its run of third season episodes next month, while HBO’s lavish fantasy serial “Game of Thrones” returns for its third season in March. And there’s a host of new, interesting offerings as well. Some, such as “Continuum” and “Ripper Street,” have been road-tested in other countries. Others, such as “Defiance,” are totally unknown properties with serious world-building potential. And then there’s “Bates Motel,” which might be the only show that can tout links to Alfred Hitchcock and “Lost.” Not too shabby. Following is a look at some of the most interesting options heading your way this spring — and yes, “The Following” made the list. “Continuum” […]

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” has done an amazing job re-creating George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world on-screen, but one aspect it hasn’t quite captured is the original novels’ obsession with food. Although it’s still unclear if the upcoming third season will toss character and plot overboard in order to fully develop the sumptuous menus that Martin describes in print, HBO is making an effort to satisfy fans who would love to eat and drink their way through the Seven Kingdoms with a line of “Game of Thrones” beer. The first brew, Iron Throne Blonde Ale, will be introduced in conjunction with the third season premiere on March 31. Brewed by craft beermaker Brewery Ommegang, this beer is said to be created with the “themes, characters and nuances of the series” in mind. Does that mean betrayal, incest, lust and violence? If […]