It appears that Hafþór “The FrankenMountain” Björnsson may not have to keep carrying the weight of Game of Thrones‘s buffness levels on his shoulders all by himself anymore. A new rumor claims that someone with whom Hafþór has had dealings before may be involved in one of the two remaining seasons: famed UFC fighter Conor McGregor.
Via BelfastLive, The Sunday Life reports that the Irish fighter will star in the show. Of course, there is nothing resembling a confirmation of this claim, official or otherwise, yet the Northern Irish publication cites their source as saying the following:
“It’s been agreed that McGregor will appear in one of the remaining two seasons of Game of Thrones. He was headhunted as it were by HBO, as one of the GoT directors is a huge UFC fan. They believed that he would be a perfect fit for the show.”
We’ll have to wait and see if any of this pans out. If it does, the question will then become what McGregor’s role will be. As I see it, there are three options: He will play a fullly fledged character, which is perhaps unlikely for a non-trained actor; He will play a mostly physical but still major role like Björnsson does; Or, lastly, that his presence in Game of Thrones will amount to a cameo, not unlike the many blink-and-you-miss-it appearances throughout the show’s history by European bands the producers enjoy.
If this rumor turns out to hold any truth in it, I believe this last option to be surest bet; That is, Conor McGregor having a fun cameo at some point. But you might disagree! Please, feel free to speculate on the commenct section below about the veracity of this rumor and what role McGregor could play in season seven or eight of Game of Thrones.
This sounds like just the sort of thing a publicist would put out to get more attention to their client.
Seasons?
One of the great things about this show is that it hasn’t fed into the mainstream media regarding their choice of actors and cameos…its always been something of either reverence regarding a classicly trained actor or legend that is taking on a minor role with major implications or a band member(s) that is almost introduced to a wider audience due to its cameo on GoT…this sounds like a stunt and although I have faith that GoT would do this right I would not want to see the episode and say O theres that shameless Connor McGregor plug part…GoT has made it this far…lets not ruin it in the home stretch…
If the guy is a fighter, they need him for a fighting role. I just wonder how they will cover his tattoos: maybe he will play some White Walker super-champion or even the unkillable wight who will be fighting the Mountain at the Dragonpit? I could imagine that based on his fighting style and the way he moves.
Edit: Sorry, I realized that Hafþór was indeed fighting “The FrankenMountain” Björnsson in that video only after I wrote the comment. So, indeed he should be the right person to play the wight in the Dragonpit.
No thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxRX6LXDpWs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31g0YE61PLQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s
I hate this sort of self-indulgent nonsense.
http://static.celebuzz.com/uploads/2015/04/Britney-Spears-Cool-Exciting.gif
What about Ed Sheeran? he’s a huge GOT fan and he said he was approached by the showrruners to make a cameo, but it never worked out because he was always on tour when they were filming. Well, now he’s been on a break for quite some time and was randomly in Belfast the whole week last week hanging out with Liam and Kit.
The tattoos could actually be a positive. How about Euron’s horn blower?
Yeah, he should be great playing another Sand Snake (Sarella, anyone?), or a spearwife, or a fishwife. I’m so hyped!
I think he could make a cameo in a battle scene, or be a stunt double for Beric! 😛
A White Walker lieutenant, or another Night King recast? Most likely just some minuscule cameo during a fight.
Love to see him and The Mountain go head to head, would be pretty epic.
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
I mean, he is an UFC fighter, he fits into the world of GoT, which is full of fighters. If he gets a small role that highlights his skills thats fine with me. As for it being self-indulgent: If he gets a kick out of it, good for him, lets be honest, who wouldn’t?
The Irish are obsessed with McGregor… it’s almost certainly a publicity stunt and/or clickbait. His fighting skills can’t be doubted, but somehow UFC style is not what you’d expect to be seeing in Westeros battles.
Any other cameos anyone fancies seeing?
How about Ronda Rousey as a fourth Sand Snake?
She could seduce Bronn, then try to kill him with a mid-coitus submission hold, only for Tyene to turn up, shout “Get away from him, you b*tch!” before mesmerizing Rousey Snake with her superb tits just long enough for her and Bronn to escape. Together they ride off into the sunset, with Bronn serenading her to the tune of Unchained Melody, which Jerome Flynn subsequently re-releases as the lead single on his new album of cover songs called Bronn’s Up-Jumped Fookin’ Ballads.
Or how about The Rock as Strong Belwas?
He could Rock Bottom Randyll Tarly’s candy-ass in the middle of the battlefield. Then, just as he’s lining up to hit Tarly with the People’s Elbow, Jaime Lannister knocks him unconscious from behind with a fold-up chair, before marching off the battlefield goading all the other soldiers as The Rains of Castamere blares out across the battlefield.
What about Serena Williams playing King’s Landing Wench #3?
A “tart with a heart”, she nobly defends the King’s Landing orphanages using a suspiciously tennis racket shaped implement to whack missiles thrown by Daenerys’ siege weapons into the stratosphere, while the ghost of Margaery Tyrell soothes the orphans to sleep with a lullaby.
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
I hate his fighter persona… the act he gives for the UFC fans THAT LOVE him. I’m a UFC fan but I don’t like him. However I heard from a couple of my Irish friends that he is a very good person and he gives back a lot to his communities in Ireland, and I respect that a lot.
He would make a pretty killer iron born, can’t bloody wait lol hope he shows up, he seems awesome.
Maybe they can have someone try to jam a finger up his ass and then get beheaded by Sandor…
Apollo,
The definition of clickbait is a misleading headline that doesn’t actually deliver what the story is about, for the purpose of gaining clicks. It definitely isn’t that, as I don’t think Belfast Live is straight up fabricating stories. The headlines are accurate as far as the writers have heard.
Whether or not the rumor is true, well that’s another story. 🙂
I wonder if this would be before or after his WWE career takes off? ?
No doubt someone will pull the video of him ‘fighting’ Thor from a couple of years ago and claim it’s a rehearsal. ?
Look, I am still unsure wether McGregor is really hot or strangely ugly. I spent months trying to figure it out and gave up.
God forbid he plays Rhaegar…
If he got a role, I doubt it would be anything of note, perhaps a nameless soldier or wight/other.
Yes, I doubt he’ll be ‘starring’ in GoT, more like an appearance of some sort.
I don’t know, but I’d clinb that like a spider monkey.
My brother would be so excited; he loves him.
Has to be some sort of physical role, if it ain’t PR stunt. Connor is helluva fighter and entertaining guy. Would be nice to see him on the show.
Priscila,
I know what you mean. The ink and the hair style give one impression, underneath he gives another.
Can’t see him as a Rhaegar. Targaryans are kinda classy looking and he doesn’t conjure that image. No offence but he has a boxer’s nose. Street fighter yes, aristocracy no.
I think we’ve found our Shitmouth. Better late than never.
Oh god, please no. It’s bad enough that these people are paid what they are to beat each other up for the entertainment of the masses – now they’re giving this scumbag a role on GoT? No way. “UFC” is just another instance of glorified violence, the contemporary gladiators – as far as I’m concerned it should be banned. I can’t stand these disgusting people, I can’t believe anyone would idolize such braindead thugs. Keep these moronic so-called “tough guys” away from GoT, we already have one anyway…
Tip from a working journalist, Luka: The first time you use an acronym like UFC, say what it stands for. Don’t assume that every reader knows. Don’t make them look it up. Good way to lose readers.
Body double for whoever kills the Mountain.
For heaven’s sake keep that ginger **** away from GoT!
Firannion,
I’m not an MMA fan,quite the opposite actually but you have to be living under a rock to not have to know what UFC is .
Stannisisdead,
No, you just have to be uninterested in sports.
Iron Islander for sure.
It’s kind of like watching a bear swipe at an annoying fly. ?
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
MORE,MORE MORE I thought I was the only one who trips out like that
Stannisisdead,
I must have been living under that rock; I had no idea what the UFC was, but having said that, fighting sports are not something I’m remotely interested in.
Maisie Williams started following this guy on twitter a few weeks ago.
Don’t know if that means anything.
It is interesting that Conor McGregor and Kit Harington both had roles in Call of Duty: Infinity Warfare. The game was just released in November. Perhaps that could be related to this report. I could see someone like him playing a White Walker.
Firannion,
get over yourself
I am completely uninterested in sports, and I didn’t even know what the U.F.C. stood for… Yet explaining it would seem weird and off-topic and unnecessary. It’s the UFC. Just like I know the NBA is related to basketball, and FIFA to football, or hell, NASA is an American space organization, I know UFC is a fighting thing. I’m sorry, but as far as I’m aware, it’s just as well-known. It would be weird and condescending to spell it out, especially because what would be the point, anyway? McGregor’s a fighter. It says so in the article. Is there really any need for more information than that? Those in the know already know. Those who don’t know (like you or I) don’t care and knowing what the UFC stands for won’t give anyone relevant information as it pertains to Game of Thrones or McGregor’s possible involvement in the show.
Che,
I thought I was living under the rock as well, but then I did a bit of googling and realized I have indeed heard something, though not about the UFC, but rather about some UFC fighters at real war.
That’s for you, Wretched Netch. Just keep in mind that such “contemporary gladiators” sometimes prove to be much more efficient fighters, than glorified hipsters (though sometime hipsters can surprise too).
Lol…..people have been battering each other for millennia for others entertainment, long before your 20th century moral ideals kicked in…….you sarcastically call them tough guys whilst sitting behind a keyboard airing out your grievances like a school kid on Facebook lol, cringeworthy
“Scumbag”, “disgusting people”, “braindead thugs”, “moronic”… Real nice. Such class.
I would love to see one of the American Ninja Warriors doing their thing in a scene. Not sure what context, but that’d be awesome.
I was clueless too, not my cup of tea. Always up for learning something new though.
That said, I’m hoping it isn’t more than a cameo. It takes away from the story to have these slightly anachronistic moments with people who aren’t actors come on and do their shtick. It does seem fan service for the showrunners to me.
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
Tears of laughter streaming down my cheeks!
Luka Nieto,
Nevertheless, Firannion is correct. The first use of an acronym should at least have it spelled out in parentheses: “UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship),” especially to an international audience on a site that isn’t even tangentially associated with this particular cultural phenomenon. You don’t have to explain it, you just have to name it. It provides the context that you were assuming we all had. [removes English major hat]
This guy would look great all painted blue with an ice sword in his hand…
Sue the Fury,
Ah, fair point… wasn’t meaning you guys were doing the misleading. I still take it with a pinch of salt n smoke though ?
It’s funny how an actress/actor name/surname in GOT almost commonly has a character name too.. Especially when is a new actor. Bella Ramsey; Ramsay. Conor McGregor; Sor Gregor Clegane. Julian Glover; House Glover. Charles Dance; Book 5: Dance. Iwan Rheon; Theon. Tobias Winter; Winter Is Coming. Michael Feast; Book 4: Feast. Margaret John; Jon Snow. Art Parkinson, Megan Parkinson. Will Fortune, Brian Fortune… and counting only the cast.
Have a little faith, please!!! Untrained actor? Really? When did you stop caring about wrestling, when you were in high school? The number of athletes turned actors sort of rivals the number of models who become actresses (as opposed to female actors, with all do respect to Gwendoline Christie belongs in the category of the latter). Given the theatricality of most professional wrestling, I’m sure that McGregor will do just fine, with a fully fledged role as opposed to a “cameo”.
AryaArya,
Perhaps he’ll be playing Nymeria ; )
We will lose literally zero readers for this.
Ugh, I don’t know much about this guy, but I saw highlights of that one press conference and he was acting like such an unfunny clown. DO NOT WANT.
Sue the Fury,
She was just giving him a tip. If he wants to do this, he should do it correctly. Nothing wrong with learning your craft as you go from veterans. I didn’t read the comment as snippy; it sure didn’t warrant the response it got. Nor, I suppose does it warrant all of this discussion, so I’ll show myself out…
Something like this makes sense, can genuinely be passed off as an Ironborn type
Let’s hope it’s nothing too cheesy or anything
I had to Google it! Never heard of UFC before, but then I’m not into boxing. IMO the sport ought to be banned. A few young boxers have died recently in the ring, not forgetting to mention Mohamed Ali. His Parkinson’s disease was probably part caused through his years as a top rank boxer which lead to his death further complicated by respiratory problems and pneumonia. Getting constantly punched around the head and body can’t do anyone any favors 🙁
The only sure way to get you opponent down (and to stay down) is to kick or punch him him in the bollocks (nuts)! Not many will get up will get up afterwards, but its forbidden to hit below the belt. Marquess of Queensberry rules and all that 😀
Black Raven,
The UFC isn’t boxing. Its mixed martial arts, which includes boxing. It has no direct connection with Mohamed Ali. 😉
Rhaegar!!!! 😉 😉 😉 😉
Ashara D,
Thanks for taking my comment in the spirit in which it was intended. I’ve learned a lot over the years by listening to advice from people in my field more experienced than me; here I was just trying to pass along some knowledge that I thought others might find useful. In my writing and editing work I take the philosophy that I’m providing a service to readers – that it’s better to include some info that they might already know than to make assumptions about their interests or knowledge base that might force them to work harder than necessary to follow what’s being written. In poetry, ambiguity may be a beautiful thing, but in journalism, clarity is paramount.
If Conor is going to be ‘starring’ in GoT, then I’d like to request Roman Reigns be cast as Khal Drogo’s long lost brother, Khal Hot-o.
Firannion,
I think probably the majority of people have heard of UFC so he made the right decision. I think it actually would’ve been a poor choice to spell out the acronym, because most people would be unfamiliar then.
I’ve seen a video with the two of them sparring and it was hilarious because the mountain is so much bigger than him ? he could be playing an ironborn or even a wildling. Hell he could even come on as a buddy of frankenmountain and be a queens guard for Cersei!! They could find something for him to do…they let the mountain crush a guys head like a watermelon and rip another guys face of ffs so there’s totally room for another psycho and you know Cersei’s down for the crazies!
LatrineDiggerBrian:
Firannion,
I think probably the majority of people have heard of UFC so he made the right decision. I think it actually would’ve been a poor choice to spell out the acronym, because most people would be unfamiliar then.
On what do you base the assumption that ‘most people’ have heard of it? Clearly, I’m not the only one here who had no idea what it stood for; several others have posted the same. In any case, standard journalistic practice for the first citation is in this format: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Then you are free to use the acronym in all subsequent citations. Exceptions would be acronyms that are pretty much universally familiar like USA or UK.
Firannion,
Firannion, you are in the right. Constructive criticism is a positive thing, and should be taken as such. I come here less and less and find most “news” myself.
PS: I’ve never heard of the UFC, either.
That’s what I thought, too. And I had no idea what the UFC stood for, either (had to google it).
Stannisisdead,
There’s no rock, just a roof over my head and I didn’t know what it was. I inferred it from the guy’s picture.
LOL nor did I read it as snippy in any way. And imho your English major definition was perfect. If you are on your way out, stop over for a hot toddy. It’s nice to see you on here.
As a former newspaper reporter, in my own writing I always stick to the spell-out-the-acronym-in-the-first-reference rule. However, that’s not the level of sticklerism I expect on a site like this one. The number of words devoted to this issue is utterly confounding to me.
I don’t get what everyone’s issue is, It does say Fighter next to UFC so everyone knows he trains in a form of combat, if It just said something like NRL with nothing with it, I would understand but UFC Fighter is like saying NRL Football Player (Australian). There is also a link on this page to watch him fight the actor who plays The Mountain on the show, so I think everyone can take the guess that he has the same profession as The Mountain Actor.
I never cared to begin with.
And he is an untrained actor. Doesn’t mean he can’t act. It just means he’s not a professional actor. Which is why a cameo is more likely, in my view (We also have a few indications that would be the case, too.)
Ashara D,
What was the problem with the response Firannion got from me? I merely meant to explain I know how these things are supposed to work, yet I made the deliberate choice not to explain something that is obvious to most people (It would be like explaining that the NBA is), or, for the few who don’t know, completely unimportant. Those who care about what the UFC is already know what it is, even if they don’t know what the acronym stands for. Those who don’t know probably don’t care more than “it’s a fighting thing”, which can be cleverly deduced from the fact that McGregor’s described in the article as an “UFC fighter.” I was relying on the reading comprehension of the readers, and I still do, so I stand by my stylistic choice. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.
Firannion,
I’ve given and received constructive criticism many times, and let me tell you, yours did feel different. So let me give you some constructive criticism to you too: The spirit and good intentions of your comment were somewhat lost with “Good way to lose readers”, so try not to be so snippy next time. If you follow my advice, next time I’ll merely thank you for the suggestion and move on.
https://instagram.com/p/BNoSwdIFP3J/
Emilia and Lena. It looks like the photo was taken in Spain but Emilia is trying to confuse us putting “spoiler” hastags. Lena is in London and Emilia is still in Belfast. Sneaky girls, haha ! Awesome photo though !
Kit in Belfast with some fans yesterday !
https://instagram.com/p/BNmW-T6gyKa/
Irina Stark,
Emilia is probably filming some of her dragon stuff. This is filmed in studios in Belfast.
A fight scene with him and The Mountain would be interesting…
Firannion,
Totally with you on the spelling out an an acronym. I thought the tone of your post was kind and helpful. However, no one ever enjoys receiving criticism, constructive or not. But that doesn’t mean the criticism wasn’t warranted.
In solidarity,
HPL
I guess everyone on the internet is an expert in everything. Seriously people, wtf? Now the new thing to bitch about is the fact that the UFC wasn’t spelled out for you? And this now means it’s necessary to criticize the author of the article? He said UFC FIGHTER. What else do you need? If you want more info, use freaking Google. Good lord. Not everyone needs to bend over to your individual preferences.
GoT is up for 2 Writers Guild Awards! 😀 Westworld too. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wga-tv-nominations-include-westworld-is-us-stranger-things-952689?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=THR%20Breaking%20News_now_2016-12-05%2010:07:07_moconnell&utm_term=hollywoodreporter_breakingnews
orange,
I didn’t find the advice snippy, but the later and completely unnecessary “Good way to lose readers.”
Mr. Derp,
Well, exactly.
Well I was just comparing photos of Mr. McGregor to Gendry and Robert Baratheon and I think physically McGregor would make a good young Robert Baratheon in a Bran vision at the tourney at Harrenhal or obliterating Rhaegar on the trident.
Pigeon,
I have no idea what this means but the only fighty types with a similar name I know of are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and now that’s all I can imagine. GoT starts introducing not-so-subtle product placement to off set the cost of mega CGI/special effects 😉
*tiny script at bottom of screen*
“For every Turtle action figure purchased, we will put half of the proceeds towards a 5 second clip of a dire wolf! Cuz dragons are like super easy, but dogs be tricksy. Minimum of 2,000,000 must be sold. Pizza provided by Domino’s TM. All rights reserved. Game of Thrones is not responsible for blindness, coma, or death caused by inhalation of small toys. Except on the show. Hey, that’s actually kind of a good idea! Reminds me of one time in college when…..DUUUUUDE”
The Karstark girl has to marry some wildling Thenn in the book. How scary would it be if this guy showed up to marry you? She likes him though!
Just a thought to throw out there… Posing images and while in the ring Conor may look like a big dude – muscular and all that. He is lightweight fighter though, and in ‘reality’ is the same height as Kit, whom often looks small in scenes with all the tall guys. I’m not saying he couldn’t look rough ‘n’ tumble but he won’t come off as a huge, imposing man while wearing leathers and furs next to a lot of the cast that are larger men also wearing leathers and furs.
Clob,
He’ll be a little man with a big mouth type of character, imo. He’s about my height (5’9″) and maybe a buck fifty – like you said, he could be a tough character, but definitely not a ‘big’ one.
It would actually be a good move if they brought in Conor. He’s had a few movie offers in the past that hes had to turn down, but I can see him doing this. He holds the records for highest UFC PPV buys and is insanely popular. He is the first ever UFC 2 division champ. 3 of his events do more than the rest of the UFC cards do in a year. People will tun in to watch him that arent GoT fans.
Clob,
My guess is he just does an episode or 2. Would be very odd if he had a major arc….
Pigeon,
GoT AND pizza, just take my money now. Have all of it! 😀 I was going to say they could do themed toppings: Targ BBQ, Hound every chicken in the room, Hot Pie dipping sauces, but then Ramsay popped into my head. Think I’ll just stick to the plainer ones to be on the safe side o_0