GAMES OF THRONES’ Jon Snow Grabs Another Sword

Kit Harrington is picking up the steel one more time, but I’m not talking about him swinging swords in Westeros as Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow. This time around, he’ll be wearing a crown and wielding mighty Excalibur as King Arthur.

Thrones fans don’t need to get upset because Jon Snow is still alive and well (for now) in HBO’s hit series, but Showblitz reveals that Harrington will be the new ruler of Camelot in Arthur and Lancelot. David Dobkin, the director of The Wedding Crashers and The Change-Up, is set to write and direct the film, as well as co-produce with Charles Roven, Richard Suckle and Lionel Wigram.

It might seem weird (and risky) to have the same guy behind The Wedding Crashers at the helm for Arthur and Lancelot, but insiders close to the project say moviegoers can expect a movie with Braveheart-type action.

Snagging the lead apparently wasn’t as easy as pulling a sword from a stone, though, because Harrington had to re-test for the role before beating out Sam Claflin and Richard Maddon. On the other hand, Joel Kinniman received an early offer for the role of Lancelot.

Scheduling is still being worked out but Arthur and Lancelot is expected to begin production in 2012.

I guess it was only a matter of time before the legendary king made his way back to the big screen. It’s been a while since a King Arthur movie was made (I think the last was 2004) and HBO’s Game of Thrones has revealed a large audience for medieval-style adventures. Hollywood no doubt considers it a major bonus to have someone from that franchise as a lead in the film because the crossover potential has just increased.