Game of Thrones planning action scenes for season 7

Italica. Photo: engranajesculturales.com
Italica. Photo: engranajesculturales.com

The ruins of Italica, located in Santiponce, Spain were confirmed earlier this week as a new filming location for Game of Thrones season 7. The well-preserved ancient Roman city contains among other things an amphitheater that looks to be a shooting site for the new season.

According to ABCdesevilla, sources from the Oficina de Gestión del complejo arqueológico have stated that HBO representatives visited Italica and are set on the amphitheater for filming, particularly as a place to shoot action scenes.

Though the setting seems more typical of Essos than Westeros, Daenerys departed the eastern continent (so it seems) in the season finale, “The Winds of Winter.” The amphitheater with its rows of seating brings to mind another more modern location- Daznak’s Pit, shot in an Osuna, Spain bullring. The amphitheater is not exactly in working order however, which brings the question: what kind of action or fighting scenes could take place in a ruin?

We have a few ways of looking at this. The first- if it looks like Essos, then perhaps it is. Daario stayed behind in Meereen but is this the last we’ve seen of him and Michiel Huisman? It’s a lingering question. And with Euron making his ships (let’s assume he swiped the lumber he needs from shores near the Iron Islands), will he reach Meereen before finding out that Daenerys isn’t there anymore? It’s a possibility.

The second option: the setting could work with Dorne. Southern Spain with its warm climate is a good stand-in for the southernmost part of Westeros. Daenerys has allied with House Martell’s Snakes, and her first landing on her home continent could be Dorne, eventually leading to a fight. After all, Cersei wouldn’t welcome her return to Westeros gladly.

We could also consider the amphitheater as part of the old Dragonpit, which has fallen into ruin. With a bit of CGI, I wouldn’t rule that out.

Speculate away!


Another small piece of Spain filming news: it’s been confirmed that Game of Thrones will be returning to film in the Real Alcázar of Seville. With the announcement of filming returning to Seville, we guessed the show would be shooting in the beautiful Alcázar once again for Dorne’s Water Gardens, but now it’s been stated outright by a Spanish official.

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Antonio Muñoz, a municipal delegate representing Urban Habitat, Culture & Tourism of the City of Seville, is not giving specific dates, but acknowledges to Europa Press that “between autumn and winter” the show is returning the Real Alcázar.

Thanks to H. Stark for the heads up on the Italica news!

Sue the Fury
Susan Miller, Editor in Chief of WatchersOnTheWall.com

77 Comments

  1. I’m not so sure it’s Harrenhal: the stone just doesn’t match that of the HH set in S3/S4, or the book description (which I suppose at this stage is of little consequence).

  2. I’d love to see the Tourney at Harrenhal, but I have a hard time seeing that site as a place in the Riverlands. The style of the amphitheater just seems wrong to me, personally.

  3. Best guess for the amphitheater ruin is the Tournament at Harrenhal?! Was really hoping Dorne wasn’t in the picture any more, but your guess for returning there is probably right!? Still so good to hear any filming news!

  4. I’m still foolish enough to hope it could be the Tourney of Harrenhal. The VIPs (including the Starks) could be seated on that stage/platform part, the common folk could fill the rest of the seating area, and a certain someone could ride up to the VIP section and crown a certain lady. The rest could be CGI’d like Draznik’s Pit was. Oh, please GOT, make it so.

  5. Tournament of Harrenhall would be epic, I loved the tower of joy flashbacks/Arthur Dayne fight, this would be amazing!!!!
    Whats next ? Casting call for Rhaegar Targaryen and flashback to the battle at the trident and sack of Kingslanding ?
    Can’t wait for more information ^^

  6. What about the ruins of Summerhall? It sits on the border between the Reach and the Stormlands, and if Dany’s coming from Dorne or the southern Reach with her army, it’ll be on the way to King’s Landing.

  7. Rhaenys Stark,

    That artwork is really cool! That helmet with the 3 dragon heads on top is awesome.

    Knowing that D&D are fans of this kind of stuff just like us, if it is the tournament at Harrenhal, it wouldn’t surprise me if they bring this piece of art to life on film for us all like that did with some of the Mountain vs Red Viper shots!!!

  8. Rhaenys Stark,

    I would like to see the ToH as well, but I don’t feel it’s likely. We already got the entire story, I feel any Rhaegar Lyanna flashbacks will be after her kidnapping, so that they answer some important questions like was it kidnapping/eloping , was Rhaegar motivated by the tptwp prophecy in making away with Lyanna, were the two married? ToH is not really that important narratively.
    My best guess is that this is a dragonpit. Maybe some action with Euron and dragonbinder, if they do introduce it, idk.

  9. It seems odd to me that this would be used for an action/fighting scene in Daenerys upcoming storyline. I suppose it’s possible the Dornish could hold a tournament or something as a welcoming party. Daenerys hates fighting pits so much so I can’t see her holding one of those in Westeros. Now, it could be used as an amphitheater for her to address people so they get to know her…

    Of course, a vision by Bran could open up any number of things. It feels like it would be a waste of time to do anything (much) again in Essos, or specifically Meereen.

  10. StarkTree,

    The fanvideos have fucked me up and I can only picture Orlando bloom in Lotr lol but really if they cast him they will pick some unknown guy give him a white wig and I’m sure he will do a good job

  11. ghost of winterfell: Maybe some action with Euron and dragonbinder, if they do introduce it, idk.

    Please let this not be. The Dragonbinder is stupid and I’d tell George that to his face if I had the chance. I pray that D&D ignore it completely.

  12. Sue the Fury,

    I agree. Think back to the Hand’s Tourney in Season 1. The setup of a jousting tournament wouldn’t work in that location, nor does it look anything like the geography or architecture near/around Harrenhal. NOTE: This doesn’t mean I don’t wanna see the tourney. I need to see the tourney.

  13. StarkTree,

    Cillian Murphy, Paul Bettany, Tom Hiddleston, TRAVIS FIMMEL

    If he appears, they will most certainly cast someone unknown though. I have complete and utter faith in the casting department.

  14. Didn’t D&D say they wouldn’t spend more than 3 seasons in Meereen? I hope they didn’t change their minds. Daario just isn’t important enough to sustain a storyline in Essos imo. I hope we’re done with Meereen tbh.

    And also even if I don’t like Dorne seems like it could be there.

  15. Well it’s not essos I’m sure but other than that who knows at this point.Probably Dorne but what kind of action would go on there?A dragonpit is a possibility but why would they need one at this stage?

  16. Ser Broccoli McBroccoliface,

    Well they could change the place with CGI. And this amphitheater kinda looks like how GRRM imagined the Tourney in the picture I posted above. Anyway, we can’t be certain but if this is indeed the Tourney at Harrenhal I can die happy.

  17. I think it will be a Dragon Pit in Dorne where Dany’s dragons are just chillin and a certain someone comes up and

    binds them to his service
  18. Rella:
    Best guess for the amphitheater ruin is the Tournament at Harrenhal?! Was really hoping Dorne wasn’t in the picture any more, but your guess for returning there is probably right!? Still so good to hear any filming news!

    Dany just formed an alliance with Dorne, so why would you think we wouldn’t see Dorne again?

  19. OT but can we just talk about the “name” Lyanna whispered to Ned at the TOJ for a moment? Because it’s all over the internet “Jahaerys” or Aegon, etc. but after closer examination I believe what she really whispers is “His name, his house is, Targaryen. If Robert finds out he’ll kill him.” Her saying this to Ned tells him, and us, that Jon is a true Targaryen heir, not a bastard.

    Also, who else sees a twist coming with Arya? For some reason I think back to the scene she was telling the waif about her family, and her list. Could it be that who we think is Arya is really the waif that survived? Jaquen said the faces are poison to those who aren’t “No one” yet she plainly tells him she’s Arya Stark before she leaves and then goes about wearing a face to kill Walder.

  20. Rella,

    I hate it.
    Besides there being no good reason for the dragons to be “chilling out” in an amphitheater, I just hate the idea that Euron is just suddenly going to have a way to bind the dragons with no mention of it on the show to this point.

  21. Sue the Fury:
    I’d love to see the Tourney at Harrenhal, but I have a hard time seeing that site as a place in the Riverlands. The style of the amphitheater just seems wrong to me, personally.

    I’m with you on that. I can’t see an amphitheatre fitting into any of the current story, which only leaves flashbacks.

  22. ygritte: Could it be that who we think is Arya is really the waif that survived?

    No, no it couldn’t and I thought that theory died with the finale. Arya put the waif’s face in the hall. The waif didn’t cut her own face off. Arya went after Walder and did it for her revenge and for her family.

  23. aabe:
    Please be Harrenhal (weather can be adjusted using CGI)

    Weather can be adjusted, so what was the point of delaying the season then?

  24. ygritte:
    OT but can we just talk about the “name” Lyanna whispered to Ned at the TOJ for a moment? Because it’s all over the internet “Jahaerys” or Aegon, etc. but after closer examination I believe what she really whispers is “His name, his house is, Targaryen. If Robert finds out he’ll kill him.” Her saying this to Ned tells him, and us, that Jon is a true Targaryen heir, not a bastard.

    Also, who else sees a twist coming with Arya? For some reason I think back to the scene she was telling the waif about her family, and her list. Could it be that who we think is Arya is really the waif that survived? Jaquen said the faces are poison to those who aren’t “No one” yet she plainly tells him she’s Arya Stark before she leaves and then goes about wearing a face to kill Walder.

    No and no.

    So Rhaegar and Elia were married? If not, Jon’s still a bastard.

  25. ygritte:
    OT but can we just talk about the “name” Lyanna whispered to Ned at the TOJ for a moment? Because it’s all over the internet “Jahaerys” or Aegon, etc. but after closer examination I believe what she really whispers is “His name, his house is, Targaryen. If Robert finds out he’ll kill him.” Her saying this to Ned tells him, and us, that Jon is a true Targaryen heir, not a bastard.

    Also, who else sees a twist coming with Arya? For some reason I think back to the scene she was telling the waif about her family, and her list. Could it be that who we think is Arya is really the waif that survived? Jaquen said the faces are poison to those who aren’t “No one” yet she plainly tells him she’s Arya Stark before she leaves and then goes about wearing a face to kill Walder.

    I’ve read and watched everything I can online and I still can’t see that she said Jahaerys. Seems far more likely to be Aemon but that’s just my view.
    Lyanna was pregnant for nine months so I would not be surprised to discover that the mad King knew and legitimised the baby prior to birth. After all, he got very angry at the Starks for accusing Rhaegar of kidnap, no?

    No I really don’t think Ayra is anyone but Ayra. She now has a dark side and as I’ve said before the third holy sh*t moment could be Ayra killing Sansa……not that anyone wants to hear that. Big tinfoil but what the hell ?

  26. That doesnt look ANYTHING like what i would deem appropriate to ne harrenhal, my first guess was jorah is in volantis looking for a cure

  27. OT but apparently there is another terrorist attack happening right now in Munich, Germany. Let’s hope the shooter(s) get arrested as soon as possible. What a world we live in.

  28. I don’t think it’s the tourney at Harrenhal as I don’t believe we’ll ever see Rhaegar to be honest.

  29. Halfman,

    I’m not too sure that Rhaegar would have spoken much to his father about it as I hear they weren’t getting along all that well at the time. I mean, it’s possible, as some things are purposely left up in the air and I haven’t read the whole series myself just talk. Some sullied can correct me if I’m wrong. But yeah if you mouth the words “his house” as you watch her lips you can tell it mimics the words perfectly, and then notice when the camera cuts away you hear the “s” sound for “is.”

  30. Could it possibly be the aftermath of Dany reaching KL, and these are the ruins of the city.

  31. Where are people getting Harrenhal from? My first thought was we’re going back to Daznak’s pit. Cuz that architecture style and especially the color does not seem to fit at all with what we’ve seen of Harrenhal. Also, the arena itself looks more like a fighting pit than something that would be used in a traditional Tourney.

  32. Let’s just hope they don’t attempt to film fight scenes at the Alcázar.

  33. Whatever this is, I’m looking forward to local spies delivering spoilers from the location once filming starts.

  34. We’ve been shown two different places in Santiponce that are like half a mile apart. The picture in this thread and the one a few days ago:
    http://watchersonthewall.com/several-new-locations-spain-confirmed-game-thrones-season-7/

    The pictured location in the other thread could more easily be rigged for a tournament, but it’s in such ruin that the whole place would have to be cgi treated. This one is like a smaller, standard staged amphitheater/theater for performances and such.

  35. Damn if we didnt have only 13 hours left i would be stoked for some awesome flashbacks but with so little time left I kinda want them to focus on the mission at hand. Not to mention i dont want them to film too much from the past and then not include the battle at the trident. I would feel cheated haha plus i want that prequel

  36. Jack Bauer 24,

    Whats the point with the guards, all the secrecy if Jon is still just a bastard. Rhegar orders his best men to guard his unborn bastard over his natural heirs. There has got to be something more there

  37. ygritte,

    Who knows in truth. That area of GOT history is so vague, it allows for all sorts of scenarios. D and D have the freedom to do as they like really.

    The amphitheatre for filming has us foxed, so they really are ten steps ahead of the game at the moment.

    I’m not complaining mind, I do love a mystery and I love the fact we are scratching our heads.

  38. ygritte:
    Also, who else sees a twist coming with Arya? For some reason I think back to the scene she was telling the waif about her family, and her list. Could it be that who we think is Arya is really the waif that survived? Jaquen said the faces are poison to those who aren’t “No one” yet she plainly tells him she’s Arya Stark before she leaves and then goes about wearing a face to kill Walder.

    Do you recall that Arya did become no one? Jaqen told her this with a smile. Just because she said she is Arya Stark doesn’t necessarily mean that she is no longer a member of the Faceless Men. It’s a religion – she was baptized so to speak – she just is a non-practicing faceless man. She can still put a face on without being poisoned.

  39. Sue the Fury:
    I’d love to see the Tourney at Harrenhal, but I have a hard time seeing that site as a place in the Riverlands. The style of the amphitheater just seems wrong to me, personally.

    Yea, I agree.

    It’s Dorne or Essos, and I really think we’re done with Essos.

    People may not like it, but it’s obvious, at least to me, given all the latest news, that Danny is landing in Dorne next season, probably as early as the end of episode 1 or in episode 2…

  40. MeeraReed: Do you recall that Arya did become no one?Jaqen told her this with a smile.Just because she said she is Arya Stark doesn’t necessarily mean that she is no longer a member of the Faceless Men.It’s a religion – she was baptized so to speak – she just is a non-practicing faceless man. She can still put a face on without being poisoned.

    Not that I necessarily think that it makes total sense, but yea, I agree that when Jaqen told Arya at the end “A girl is finally No One”, he meant it.

  41. HunterMac87,

    Well, Rhaegar himself and the entire Targaryen army and its allies were ready to defend his other heirs at King’s Landing.

    It makes sense that he’d leave some of his best men to defend Lyanna and his spare heir, knowing that Robert/Ned would specifically come looking for Lyanna.

    The heir Lyanna is carrying would need to be properly protected, at the very least in case Rhaegar were to die and King’s Landing was to fall. That doesn’t mean he was giving Lyanna/Jon preferential treatment, nor does it mean that Jon isn’t a bastard.

  42. ygritte,

    I thought she said the same: ¨His name is( Daeron? Aegon? Jaeron? ) of House Targaryen¨and the rest of her sentence that we get to hear

  43. AlexG,

    I guess they want to keep that part secret because other than Lyanna’s whisper I don’t see any other future vision in which Bran, and thereby we, would find out exactly what she said to Ned.

  44. Rhaenys Stark,

    Rhaenys Stark,

    Its to me as well , with a bit of CGI no problem that this could be harrenhal , i dont think they would spare time in a present time tournament , i dont think this can be a welcome tournament by the sand snakes , this have to be a past time tournament , the most famous is harrenhal but there was the one of lannisport that has no importance for the future of the series

  45. Ser Broccoli McBroccoliface,

    The centrepiece was the joust that Rhaegar Targaryen won. There would be side events like a sword contest but the crown of winter roses came after the joust. A circular arena doesn’t work because a joust is in lengths. The horses run in counter directions as the riders try and knock each other off.

  46. Oh wow didn’t consider the possibilities until I read the comments section but would love for it to be the Tourney at Harrenhall

    I do expect that flashback as part of revealing the Targaryen side of Jon etc

  47. It must be Dorne. Much too sandy to be Harenhall. I think it is just a marshalling area for Dany’s troops after they disembark from the ships. I don’t know if Cersei will try a pre-emptive strike a-la Ser Jaimie/Bron leading his army to Dorne or if this will be a brief interlude in the overall conquest of Westeros.

    I miss the rush of Sunday nights!

  48. Kargaryen,

    I think there will be just one scene in Mereen, but it’ll just be after Danaerys hears that everything is going like shit there, and she sends her dragons to burn the whole city.

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