30 replies to this topic

[The Mountain That Glides]

Minor spoilers are featured below, you have been warned.


I got this idea from what Spartacus did when Andy Whitfield got cancer, they produced a 6 episode miniseries prequel to the events of the first season. While I think a prequel book detailing Robert's Rebellion would be redundant, it'd work well for a TV audience, because A) Most of the details about it are left vague or left out altogether, and a general TV audience remembers things much better by seeing, not being told.

They could have the first episode start with the tourney at Harrenhal and end it with Ned bringing Lyanna's body back to Robert in the capital.

I know they won't ever do this, but it's fun to speculate about. Who would you cast in it? I'll list some major and minor characters that might be featured in it and some actors I'd like for the part. If I don't have anyone in mind for it, I'll just list the character.

Bolded are the actors returning from the series (For the sake of arguement, let's say they did this after S2)

Starring:

Sean Bean as Eddard Stark: This could go either way for me. While people will shout age reasons, as it's impractical for a 50 year old to play someone in their early 20s, but I feel the pluses outweight the minuses. I would prefer a recast, but Sean Bean's name attached to the series again would do loads for it, plus he's just a great actor. But if they recast, I think David Wenham would be a nice wink to the audience, and he's a great actor as well.

Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon: Same reasons as above, although I believe this would be easier. Just shave him, thin him out a bit, and maybe some makeup, and he'd sure to look younger.

Brian Cox as King Aerys: I'm not sure how he'd look with blonde hair, but leave that as it may, I can see him rocking the hell out of this part.

Donald Sutherland as Jon Arryn: Really, I'm just throwing out a name that could do justice to Arryn, but I'm not really sure who could really do it.

Rhaegar Targyarean: Not sure who should play him

Lyanna Stark: Not sure either, although I could see a dye-job and Bonnie Wright *Ginny Weasley* could do it.

Brandon Stark: I'd say David Wenham, but he has to look older than Sean Bean, so I dunno. He'd likely die in episode two, anyways.

Rickard Stark: I had a spot-on casting suggestion for him, but I've completely forgotten it.

Queen Rhaella Targaryen, wife to Aerys

Brendan Gleeson as Mace Tyrell: C'mon, you see it too.

Young Jamie: Not sure who should play him, but no way NCW could play 16 year old Jamie.

Young Cersei: Same as above, although she'd have a smaller role. You could include her visit to that maegi in the series as well, if you wanted to give her something to do.

Mark Strong as Stannis Baratheon: Based on the unreal assumption that Mark Strong is cast as Stannis in S2, but in reality, I would just want whoever plays Stannis to reprise their role for continuity's sake.

Karl Urban as Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning

Liam Neeson as Ser Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard: Really, anything is more awesome with some Liam Neeson involved.

Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy

Conleth Hill as Lord Varys

Charles Dance as Lord Tywin Lannister

Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle

Ashara Dayne, sister to Ser Arthur

Princess Elia, wife of Rhaegar

Jon Connington, Hand Of The King at one point and best friends with Rhaegar

Young Catelyn Tully

Young Lysa Tully

Peter O' Toole as Hoster Tully: Just because he's awesome.

Supporting/minor roles:
Paxter Redwyne (For the siege of Storm's End, although Mace could handle that himself if need be)

Conan Stevens as Ser Gregor Clegane: I suggest expanding his role. As of the first ep, his father is still around, and Gregor kills him and then goes rampant. Lord Tywin then has to subdue him (Via wits or troops, whichever) and convince him that he'd be better off with Tywin.

Howland Reed

Ethan Glover, Brandon Stark's squire and later serves Eddard, dying at the Tower of Joy.

Martyn Cassel, Jory's father. (I think apart from Eddard and these last three, the final three members at ToJ could be featured extras)

Tommy Flanagan as Ser Oswell Whent: We get no description of Whent whatsoever, so anybody could suffice. Flanagan is just simply badass, so yeah.

Ser Willem Darry, master-of-arms at King's Landing

Prince Lewyn Martell

Lyn Corbray and his brother, I forget his name.

Owen Teale as Ser Allister Thorne: First have him appear at the tourney in the beginning, being an asshole and losing to someone important, then have him serving Rhaegar at the trident, and getting captured at the end of the battle.

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont: Also have him at the tourney, and have James Cosmo for a cameo where he announces to Jorah he's going to take the black, letting Jorah get his succession. Then the rest of the series he's featured as one of Eddard's bannermen.

David Bradley as Walder Frey: The ironic thing is, he'd still be playing a character older than him.

Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin, in a small role.

Wilko Johnson as Illyn Payne: We get the tongue-outing scene in the first episode, to establish how crazy Aerys is (I know it happened earlier, but who cares). Later appears when Robert wins the throne, and is appointed King's Justice.

There are many others, such as Owen Merryweather and the lead pyromancer guy, but you guys get the point.

Your thoughts?

[jellydonut]

Alexander Skarsgård as Rhaegar. It is known.

Quote

Young Jamie: Not sure who should play him, but no way NCW could play 16 year old Jamie.

If you don't have NCW as Jaime you can't have Bean or Addy either, that's just awkward.

[Thelonious]

Maybe an offbeat choice for Rhaegar, but what about David Tennant? Good looking but not in a beefcake sort of way, can be either winsome or crazed as required.

[The Mountain That Glides]

I disagree. There was much hype and commotion about Jamie being the youngest or nearly the youngest man to join the Kingsguard, at 16. That's an age that's relevant to the plot, and NCW doesn't look 16. Nobody needs to draw attention to the ages of Eddard and Robert, so long as they look younger than they did in S1, which makeup can attest to. Nobody mentions their age in Season 1, either, so it would be only book fans griping about the age.

[The King of Ashes]

Well if R+L does = J then the only real choice for Rhaegar would be Charlie Hunnam due to the fact that he could easily be Taragaryen'd up and he actually looks a fair bit like Kit Harrington.

[Hyper]

Recast Jamie with a youth, but keep Bean and Addy? This is surely a candidate for the most ridiculous suggestion of the year.

[D_Richard]

In my opinion, if Robert's Rebellion were a story a Hollywood studio wanted to tell, they would AND should cast twenty-somethings as the principals. Don't get me wrong, I love Addy and Bean, but some youth would be needed to sell it.

[Pasha Pook]

I have always been a strong supporter of this idea, since they cut out any flashbacks in Season1 (even the confirmed Brandon Stark scene). I think they noticed what a big hit they had and opted to save the war stories for a later miniseries (maybe as an option in case the series catch up to the books) otherwise I could also see it as a 3 hour cinema experience.

I am in favor of casting younger actors and use Addy and Bean retelling warstories as a canvas (like they do on the Hobbit) They could cast Bean as Rickard Stark or Robert as his Father, but I would rather go with fresh actors.

Regarding the sges of the protagonists: Jon and Robb and Dany were born at the end of the war. This means that since their ages were upped in the series, the war happend approximately 16-17 years before the series. Ned is also aged up and is around 50 in the Series (in his late 30s in the book) so his age would be around 30-40 in during TV War (late teens in the book). Jaime is about 10 years younger so they should get an actor in his 20s.

Casting Donald Sutherland as Arryn would make no sense at all, since he would be older than the actor who played his corpse in Season 1. I would get an actor in his late 40s early 50s.

For Mad King Aerys or Rhaegar I would love to see Harry Lloyd return, either in heavy make up as King or beefed up as Rhaegar (heck, he could even play both;))

[the great garbo]

Lyanna - Keira Knightley
Robert - Henry Cavill
Rhaeger - Ben Barnes

[wandaXmaximoff]

I LOVE this idea. Its a fun topic, and a Robert's Rebellion mini-series would be awesome.

I have no useful suggestions for most of the cast, though I do agree that they should all be recast with people younger.

The only idea I've come up with is Katie McGrath as Lyanna. I love her on Merlin, and  think she certainly has the Stark look about her. Also, as Morgana in Merlin, she frequently switches between court clothes, and riding/ hunting/ fighting gear.

Edited by wandaXmaximoff, 11 August 2011 - 09:51 AM.

[Ser Latecomer]

A film trilogy is my dream for Robert's Rebellion, though I doubt it would happen.  Even moreso than the current story, the battles  of the Rebellion would need to be vivid and well-produced, since so much of the story happens in battle.  Robert slaying Rhaegar at the Trident has to be EPIC, the Battle of the Bells has to be riveting and suspenseful, the Sack of KL brutal in its intensity.  I think a complete recasting would have to be done, though.

Film 1 can begin at some point before the war, and establish Ned and Robert's relationship under Jon Arryn's wardship.  It would end at Harrenhall, with the story of the Knight of the Laughing Tree.  Film 2 would begin with the "abduction", and show the susequent events leading to the calling of the banners.  It would end with the Battle of Summerhall, which established the insurgency as a true threat to the realm.  Film 3 would obviously show the balance of the war through the Sack, and end with the Tower of Joy and its immediate aftermath.  It can end with shots of Ned arriving at Winterfell with Jon Snow, interlaced with images of Daenerys and Viserys being smuggled from Dragonstone.

[_Oberyn_]

It be much better to do a CGI movie of Roberts Rebelion, Beawulf style, then u can have voice acting from the current cast and have characters like Young Robert portrayed properly.

[wandaXmaximoff]

_Oberyn_, on 11 August 2011 - 11:06 AM, said:

It be much better to do a CGI movie of Roberts Rebelion, Beawulf style, then u can have voice acting from the current cast and have characters like Young Robert portrayed properly.

That's an interesting concept I hadn't considered. If it had the right team behind it, it could work well.

[The Mountain That Glides]

Okay, maybe recast Robert and Ned, but an entire recast? You realize this is only 15 years prior, right? Barristan would still be in his 50s, Pycelle would still be in his 70s, and Walder Frey would still crazy old. Some of the younger characters could stay, too, not everyone's looks change dramatically in 15 years. Conleth Hill could still pull off Varys, I'm sure. Iain Glen could still pull off Mormont, too. Charles Dance would be fine, too. Maybe a shave.

It's important to establish continuity with at least the older characters, otherwise viewers feel disconnected from it.

[OwenDarklock]

What _Oberyn_ said, I love that idea. And Neil Gaiman could help Martin write the script. Ok now I'm just dreaming.

[_Oberyn_]

It's not possible to recast Mark Addy, too short and to fat. Young Robet is suposed to be like a seven foot monster that swings a two handed warhamer with one hand.

[Angalin]

If ever Lyanna shows up onscreen, Alicia Vikander would be a good choice.  D&D might even have met her recently at ComicCon.

[Delta1212]

Ser Latecomer, on 11 August 2011 - 10:27 AM, said:

A film trilogy is my dream for Robert's Rebellion, though I doubt it would happen.  Even moreso than the current story, the battles  of the Rebellion would need to be vivid and well-produced, since so much of the story happens in battle.  Robert slaying Rhaegar at the Trident has to be EPIC, the Battle of the Bells has to be riveting and suspenseful, the Sack of KL brutal in its intensity.  I think a complete recasting would have to be done, though.

Film 1 can begin at some point before the war, and establish Ned and Robert's relationship under Jon Arryn's wardship.  It would end at Harrenhall, with the story of the Knight of the Laughing Tree.  Film 2 would begin with the "abduction", and show the susequent events leading to the calling of the banners.  It would end with the Battle of Summerhall, which established the insurgency as a true threat to the realm.  Film 3 would obviously show the balance of the war through the Sack, and end with the Tower of Joy and its immediate aftermath.  It can end with shots of Ned arriving at Winterfell with Jon Snow, interlaced with images of Daenerys and Viserys being smuggled from Dragonstone.

I can see how your proposed timeline works as a straight timeline, but not as individual films. Child Ned and Robert through Knivht of the Laughing Tree? The level of conflict there is incredibly minimal, especially in comparison to the potential of the second two films. It also, in a trilogy about Robert's Rebellion, doesn't include the rebellion. By your timeline, it wouldn't even have kicked off until the end of the second movie. That puts almost the entirety of the actual rebellion in the third film.

What you outlined follows more closely the style of a miniseries plotline. A film series needs to have each individual piece be far more self-contained and even if you build to a crescendo in the third, you need much more action in the first than would be present.

If it was a film trilogy, you'd need the kidnapping in the first film, and I'd go so far as to say you'd need Brandon and Rickard's execution with the rebellion kicking off in response to close out the film.

[GoodGuyA]

People are always clamoring to see more of Robert's Rebellion, and whilst I do agree it's a pivotal point in the series, I don't see there being that much to tell. The usual problems with prequels arise here, and the only really important thing you learn about the characters is Ned and his sister and Jamie's reasoning for becoming the Kingslayer.

If this were to happen, it would indeed have to be a TV series. The way GoT is made fits itself rather well, so going to try and shove that complexity into a movie would not work nearly as well. Don't get me wrong, there are some epic fantasy movies, but going with TV for the series was the right choice. And if any spin off were done, it should not primarily focus on the characters from the current series. Martin and the HBO writers have gotten us to adore characters we new so little about into understanding their motivations, their struggles, and the consequences of their actions. Doing that again you might say is overboard, but how is any of it different from new cast members in Clash? You still get a perspective on the major players, but from an outside view.

This would also fix the problem of suspense, because you won't know who would live or die because they haven't been brought up in the main series. Delve a bit into some of the more obscure houses who are in themselves angry because they don't have the proper pieces to maneuver in this Game of Thrones. Perhaps a renegade general working towards the other side, or maybe even get a perspective on the Mad King himself. Sure, that kind of goes against what I've said, but it'd be a nice test to how they handle Cersei later on. There is a lot of potential in a spin-off, and while this is the most logical choice I'd like to see them try at one of the lesser known eras. Obvious not Aegon's Landing or The Dance of the Dragons, but something on a lesser scale.

[Pasha Pook]

GoodGuyA, on 31 August 2011 - 09:52 AM, said:

People are always clamoring to see more of Robert's Rebellion, and whilst I do agree it's a pivotal point in the series, I don't see there being that much to tell. The usual problems with prequels arise here, and the only really important thing you learn about the characters is Ned and his sister and Jamie's reasoning for becoming the Kingslayer.

If this were to happen, it would indeed have to be a TV series. The way GoT is made fits itself rather well, so going to try and shove that complexity into a movie would not work nearly as well. Don't get me wrong, there are some epic fantasy movies, but going with TV for the series was the right choice. And if any spin off were done, it should not primarily focus on the characters from the current series. Martin and the HBO writers have gotten us to adore characters we new so little about into understanding their motivations, their struggles, and the consequences of their actions. Doing that again you might say is overboard, but how is any of it different from new cast members in Clash? You still get a perspective on the major players, but from an outside view.

This would also fix the problem of suspense, because you won't know who would live or die because they haven't been brought up in the main series. Delve a bit into some of the more obscure houses who are in themselves angry because they don't have the proper pieces to maneuver in this Game of Thrones. Perhaps a renegade general working towards the other side, or maybe even get a perspective on the Mad King himself. Sure, that kind of goes against what I've said, but it'd be a nice test to how they handle Cersei later on. There is a lot of potential in a spin-off, and while this is the most logical choice I'd like to see them try at one of the lesser known eras. Obvious not Aegon's Landing or The Dance of the Dragons, but something on a lesser scale.

Well, I think that the story wgould very well benefit from a movie treatment.
Aside from the obvious Ned, Robert, Lyanna, Jaime storyline you have Brandon vs LF, you could show Hoster/Lyanna, the Tournament where Oberyn became the Red Viper, Aemon and little Benjen at the wall, Battle of the Bells, Walder being late, Trident, ToJ, KL sacking, Danaerys being stormborn...
The Battles could only be shown in their grandeur with a movie budget.As I said before I would recast most actors and use Old Ned and Robert reliving the good old times as storytellers.