I realize that this has been talked about as for weeks now and is as close to a fact something can be without (to my knowledge, I’m not everywhere and if people with official status are using net-monikers it’s problematic!) being outright stated officially (though the Martin clues, IMDB listing, and knowledge of characters in the pilot and looking at the size of McCann seem to be and is a slam dunk), but if for nothing else but for the purpose of spreading the Martin and A Song of Ice and Fire love and blogging completionism, Rory McCann has been cast to play the Hound (Sandor Clegane) in the pilot to HBO’s potential A Game of Thrones adaptation–that’s official from HBO.
I can’t admit to being familiar with McCann but he’s also listed as being in the James Purefoy starring Solomon Kane film that we’ve talked about at BSC. The cat is clearly big, but not so huge that finding an actor to play his bother if the series gets picked up, as the Mountain is supposed to make even the Hound look rather average in comparison. McCann was also in Hot Fuzz and Alexander.
Can’t wait for more!
Other casting news we’ve noted include the filling of the roles of Cersei Lannister, the Stark Sisters, Theon Greyjoy, Rob Stark, Jorah Mormont, and Daenereys Targaryen. These announcements were additions to the earlier castings of Sean Bean (Ned Stark), Kit Harrington (Jon Snow) Harry Lloyd (Viserys) Jack Gleeson (Joffrey) Mark Addy (Robert), Peter Dinklage, and Jennifer Ehle as Catelyn Stark.
A Game of Thrones is based off of the novel by George R.R. Martin, the first book in his A Song of Ice and Fire series.
What a brilliant character in the books, certainly a tall order to play this anti-anti-hero. I like him, but I hate him at the same time. Certainly a difficult role to play which will not climax ’til they pick up the series. Not familiar with McCann’s work but I’m really starting to get excited about this series. To imagine watching my favorite fantasy series on the same network that made The Sopranos. Fantastic!