We got the season eight character posters a few days ago and that could only mean promotion for the final season was about to ramp up. Indeed, Entertainment Weekly just announced their next Thrones-centric issue, with 16 beautiful covers and an inside look at this swan song’s challenging production. Also: new promotional photos!
Before we get to the meat of it, let’s take al look at those covers: not only do they showcase the new costumes better than any photo released so far but they’re also astonishingly beautiful. Click on the group shoot below to see all the 16 covers in detail, including one that may have you exclaiming “CLEGANEBOWL, GET HYPE!”:
EW has released an advanced look at some of the issue’s 78 pages of Game of Thrones content, regarding the difficult and secretive production of this final eighth season, and the greatest battle sequence yet produced for television.
“The fans will not be let down,” director David Nutter tells EW. “There are a lot of firsts in these episodes. There’s the funniest sequence I’ve ever shot on this show, the most emotional and compelling scene I’ve ever shot, and there’s one scene where there’s so many [major characters] together it feels like you’re watching a superhero movie.” Reportedly, the Nutter-directed premiere will be “a calm-before-the-storm entry that might surprise viewers with its play-like intimacy.”
But, of course, the proverbial shit must hit the fan at some point, and when it does, we’ll be witness to a battle sequence of unparalleled proportions, which required 11 weeks of night shoots with 750 people working in the cold and mud. As we reported for months here on Watchers on the Wall, the first Miguel Sapochnik-directed episode will be all about the Battle in Winterfell. According to EW, the episode will pit “an uneasy collection of allies against the Night King and his army.”
“[N]othing can prepare you for how physically draining it is”, says Maisie Williams about filming Arya’s first battle. “It’s night after night, and again and again, and it just doesn’t stop. You can’t get sick, and you have to look out for yourself because there’s so much to do that nobody else can do… there are moments you’re just broken as a human and just want to cry.”
As grueling as the sequence was for the cast, it won’t be about mindless action, however. According to Sapochnik, he studied famous film battles, such as the nearly 40-minute Helm’s Deep siege in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, to determine when the audience would get fatigued from the relentless action. The British director concluded that “the only way to really approach it properly is take every sequence and ask yourself: ‘Why would I care to keep watching?’. One thing I found is the less action — the less fighting — you can have in a sequence, the better.”
“We built this massive new part of Winterfell and originally thought, ‘We’ll film this part here and this part there,’ and basically broke it down into so many pieces it would be shot like a Marvel movie, with never any flow or improvisation,” Sapochnik says. “Even on Star Wars, they build certain parts of the set and then add huge elements of green screen. And that makes sense. There’s an efficiency to that. But I turned to the producers and said, ‘I don’t want to do 11 weeks of night shoots and no one else does. But if we don’t we’re going to lose what makes Game of Thrones cool and that is that it feels real.” Showrunner David Benioff agrees: “When you have rapid cutting you can tell it was all assembled in post-production. That’s not the show’s style and it’s not Miguel’s style.”
The article goes on much deeper detail, with cast members detailing the terrible experience of filming that battle. One of the actresses even fainted from exhaustion! It all ends with a tease of another much-anticipated episode: the series finale, written and directed by showrunners David Benioff & Dan Weiss.
“We want people to love it. It matters a lot to us,” Weiss tells EW. “We’ve spent 11 years doing this. We also know no matter what we do, even if it’s the optimal version, that a certain number of people will hate the best of all possible versions. There is no version where everybody says, ‘I have to admit, I agree with every other person on the planet that this is the perfect way to do this’ — that’s an impossible reality that doesn’t exist. I’m hoping for the Breaking Bad [finale] argument where it’s like, ‘Is that an A or an A+?’” Benioff agrees: “From the beginning we’ve talked about how the show would end. A good story isn’t a good story if you have a bad ending. Of course we worry.”
As indicated, you should really take a look at the entire Entertainment Weekly article here, though I must warn you, you may get almost as exhausted as the cast members and producers just by reading how grueling all of it was to film. However, hopefully it’ll all be worth it! I think we can all appreciate the massive effort they put in.
WHERE IS POD?!
Hype!
Ok, I’m loving the fact that Varys and Jorah are grouped in “the couples corner” and I know the master of whispers is probably telling a secret or two, but he looks like he’s about to kiss Jorah. A hand on the shoulder doesn’t help haha, but honestly Varys, SAME.
I’m intrigued about what the funniest scene could be. Probably involves The Hound, well at least I hope it does.
I just read this on twitter a few key takeaways:
– Cogman essentially confirms
– The article confirms Sam, Arya are both fighting at Winterfell, to be expected but a minor spoiler but not going to shock anyone.
– It confirms some characters will die in the fighting at Kings Landing, this is interesting but probably to be expected.
– It teases that the finale is subject to super tight security so we can expect a big WTF moment I reckon. Probably the death of either Jon or Dany. If I recall S6 Winds of Winter was similarly kept under wraps and is my favourite all time episode.
And Gendry and Tormund?
“Nothing can prepare you for how physically draining it is”, says Maisie Williams about filming Arya’s first battle. “It’s night after night, and again and again….”
——-
ASNAWP!!!!
Dyanna,
Gendry, yes! Tormund I understand being missing, as his fate was left “unknown.” (Though I have little doubt he’ll show up early to tell Edd what happened at East Watch.)
Alright, wishing I didn’t read the article … there’s definitely some spoilery bits I wish I didn’t read but too late.
Also, judging by Maisie’s quote and how hard she pushed herself… I’m guessing she’s the actor that fainted on set. Also they had government protected airspace?! Sounds like something they made up to deter drones but nope, that’s legit and it makes me happy they’re taking these insane precautions to prevent leaks.
[edit: looks like the photos took place in Dubrovnik? Unless they used some built set pieces?]
Jon Snowed,
That spoilerly point doesn’t say anything. The battle could happen there but the real ending of that arc could happen in the final. Not everything needs to end with a big battle. So I think that arc will still be in the last 3 episodes but not in a massive battle way.
They built an entire urban King’s Landing set in Belfast. Based on Dubrovnik, but it’s not Dubrovnik.
Theon finally gets his moment in the sun…only to have it dominated by Euron’s idiotic mugging. Poor underappreciated Alfie.
Yes, I was guessing potentially Maisie as the actress who fainted not too many other options for series regular other than Hannah Murray, Natalie Emmanuel, Sophie or Emilia and doubtful they would be heavily involved in the action sequences.
Easily the most awkward EW cover goes to EMO Euron and Theon. Euron looks like he stepped on a nail and Alfie looks like he just took his glaucoma meds…
That being said, when I get my issue in the mail I hope Arya ends up in my mailbox. Badassery
Love that group shot. I haven’t seen Yara in any of these promo shots though. Theon is standing by himself, as is Euron. And don’t think I didn’t see Tyrion over there standing with his family.
It’s not absolute proof I guess but to quote Brian Cogman “This final face off between the Army of the Dead and the Army of the Living” that suggests to me the White Walkers piece concludes in episode 3 or 4.
This grouping raises the intriguing possibility that Varys, leery of Dany’s excessive reliance on roasting people who won’t bend the knee, might try to re-recruit his former spy Jorah, whose jealousy of Jon the Master of Whisperers might think to exploit. Jorah might even be tempted, until Jon coincidentally pops in to say, “Hey I admire your courage and loyalty and I just wanted to say I’m sorry Lord Stark exiled you oh and BTW he’s not my dad anyway.”
However such a scenario played out, it wouldn’t end well for someone…maybe multiple someones. But maybe the folks who are looking for a Dany-betrayal twist have been barking up the wrong tree with thinking that it’ll involve Tyrion.
Dyanna,
And Bronn!
So it seems like the “final battle with the White Walkers in Winterfell” happens in episode 3? That’s a bit early for the conflict that’s been building up for 7 seasons to be resolved, no?
So the remaining 3 episodes will involve dealing with internal political Westerosi squabbles?
For me, the absolute best, most reassuring bit of news here is Sapochnik saying, “One thing I found is the less action — the less fighting — you can have in a sequence, the better.” Amen, brother! I’m hoping for a Battle of Winterfell that, narratively, more closely resembles the Battle of the Blackwater, with all its off-the-front-lines human dramas, than any of the more recent battle scenes.
Funny how we can’t even remotely imagine it being Gwendoline Christie! She embodies Brienne far too powerfully.
Bottom line is we don’t know apart from there will be two major battles in episode 3 & 5 in two different locations. I am sure I read somewhere that white walkers will still be around in episode 4 so it may clear up the aftermath of the battle at Winterfell then switch attention south. It could be the humans lose and flee South or the humans regroup and face off vs Dany who goes full fire and blood crazy that Jon is the rightful heir. We just don’t know but this certainly looks like the Night King is defeated in the North, which is a massive spoiler if so.
Not that it won’t/can’t happen, but those cover photos confirm a Clegane Bowl about as much as they confirm a Varys/Jorah Bowl.
I also didn’t see any confirmation that the WW will be defeated by the end of episode 3 or that the NK will be defeated in the North. Did I miss something in the article? It could be the final battle, yes, but it doesn’t mean the NK can’t survive and head South.
Very interesting article though. It sounds like Sapochnik is looking at an Emmy for Best Director in his future, assuming the episode comes off as spectacular as it sounds.
Where is those photos of the set ? I mean the same type of photo we had on February the 6th, not the covers we have now ! Is there only the pic of Daenerys on her horse ?
Kinda wonky how EW ‘shopped all of them together for the group photo, but still cool. I’m certainly not going to try to deduce anything from their placement though.
Those Costumes! The eye candy alone is going to be fantastic.
If this is indeed the case, it will be extremely underwhelming.
I wanted to see the Long Night. All of Westeros engulfed in a horrific and harsh winter. Freezing conditions all the way to Dorne, White Walkers slaughtering and decimating half the continent, making it at least as far as the Riverlands or King’s Landing.
I want to feel like the White Walkers have been reigning terror for weeks or months.
If it’s all over by Episode 3, the letdown will be tremendous for me.
Jon Snowed,
No way it was Maisie Williams who fainted. From the article, it seemed like it was someone standing around on her feet for a long period of time – not a super ninja warrior princess in the thick of the action. Whoever it was, her presence on set wasn’t essential. She was sent home for the day. MW is indispensable. “No Arya, no show. It’s as simple as that.” – HP
(*Voice of Ygritte: “What’s ‘fainting’?”*)
My favorite cover is the Davos/Melissandre one. Davos looks like he is thinking “What in the Seven Hells?”
Alya,
I don’t know why it has to be the “final” battle with the AOTD. The NK could still make it out but most of the AOTD might be killed off. They showed the handy trick last season that if you kill off the WW, then all the drone wights fall too, so that makes it much more doable to kill 100,000+ AOTD. It could be like “The Watchers on the Wall” episode 9 season 4 where The night’s watch manages to win the battle, but there were still many more thousands of the wildling army left to battle another day…
I think it’s possible that at least the NK makes it out to face at the end.
I do really like that Sapochnik said that you don’t have to have action every second of a battle. I really have a hard time with Marvel movies and things like Transformers when the things just crash into each other constantly forever. I have to feel something. The scene with Jon standing alone with his sword when the Bolton Calvary starts charging made me feel so many emotions! I hope Sapochnik gets a few more of these scenes in there for Arya and others where we feel how exhausted they are getting and we stay with them step by step through the “Long Night” episode… Will they call the battle episode “The Long Night”? Seems like a good guess since they made jackets…
Nice! Getting this today though I don’t think we’ll get the trailer until next week at the earliest though.
Sorry guys but I still see no reason for the NK to attack Winterfell.
Unless he goes after Bran…
I know it’s silly, but I’m totally obsessed with how Arya is right in the middle of the group photo and standing a little bit ahead of everyone else like she is the leader of the pack.
ASNAWP!
Please!! DROP THE TRAILER… I was really hoping for Tuesday.. but this EW article was amazing. Sapochnik is doing something that few if any would attempt.
In lord of the rings the final face off between the orcs/Saurons army and the race of man was on the Pelennor Fields, but the end of Sauron himself was after that.That the final battle between the living and death is in episode 3 doesn’t mean the NK is defeated there. And it is also possible the NK will win in episode 3.
Episode 4 is the escape to the south. NK will make another plan.
Episode 5 is dealing with Cercei don’t know if she will be an enemy or more an ally I can’t guess, maybe a second battle there.
Episode 6 Will be about dealing with the NK but not in a battle kind of way, I think Bran’s telepathy is playing a role here. And it will not feel like a battle because it’s not heavily involved with the battle. Last part of the episode is concluding everything.
5 Others way’s the story could go is:
1. NK is defeated, the ending is about defeating Cercei.
2. NK is defeated, Dany losing her shit. The story is about defeating her. But I don’t see how they can fill in 3 episodes with that. She could just fly south and be done with it in 1 episode.
3. NK is defeated, but Dany or Jon is turned into a white walker. Ending is about defeating them as a undead.
4. NK is not defeated but not really able to fight. The last episodes is about finding a way to stop that magic. (Little bit close to what I said above)
5. Something I don’t think about, my money is on that.
And another thing that could happen is that they are lying a bit and episode 3 is not the biggest battle in the show. But I don’t see the point of that.
+1
Jon Snowed,
See above, doesn’t mean he is defeated. He could play a non-battle part. Him flying with his dragon will not be a battle, but still be epic for the final. I think the fandom is too much focused on battle-sequences. Most endings of villains will not be in a battle-kind-of-way.
Mr Derp,
+1
Because… that’s where people are?
Along those lines…
“The fans will not be let down,” director David Nutter tells EW. “There are a lot of firsts in these episodes. There’s the funniest sequence I’ve ever shot on this show, the most emotional and compelling scene I’ve ever shot, and there’s one scene where there’s so many [major characters] together it feels like you’re watching a superhero movie.” Reportedly, the Nutter-directed premiere will be “a calm-before-the-storm entry that might surprise viewers with its play-like intimacy.”
What could be “the most emotional and compelling scene” he’s ever shot? Arya & Jon? Arya & Sandor? Sandor & Sansa?
Jack Bauer 24,
Well, we’re just inside of 6 weeks away from premiere. That feels important, somehow – other than the fact that it’s the beginning of my countdown.
They’ll let the EW thing percolate for a few days, then BAM! Maybe you’re right.
Danielle Stark,
I just ordered my Arya EW collector’s edition. Great picture!
https://www.magazine.store/crt/store/covers/backIssues/ewk/2019/EW20190315D.jpg
Nick20,
That the biggest battle will be in episode 3 doesn’t mean we don’t get NK action and horror in the last 3. After seeing one massive battle, we don’t need a second. Else 1 episode is a copy of another. After seeing episode 3 we could have a feeling like “this doesn’t need to happen 2 times, I hope Jon and Dany can convince Cersei to not let this happen in KL”, then episode 4 and 5 will be focusing on that with some small skirmish battles where we can see a character fighting a undead or maybe a scene like the ending of 3×08 where we defeat a White walker that is lurking in the woods.
I think we can expect the NK to be in the final, if it is being defeated in his home back in the north where he flees to, where our heroes will make a last stand to defeat him with the help of bran. Or if he is in KL. But what I expect to happen is that all his other WW are defeated in WF, he will stand alone.
The fact that we can finally say the last damn season of Thrones is airing NEXT month. Feels so surreal. April is really closing in.
And this is the perfect article to get even more hyped. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this battle incorporates everyone. I want it to be a mixture of ALL the battles we’ve seen in the show. Something from Blackwater, Castle Black Seige, Hardhome, Battle of Winterfell, AND Spoils of War. They all have an undeniable value to them which makes them memorable.
Ten Bears,
It is a really great image. Maisie looks awesome.
There is the possibility that the NK could head South by himself while his AOTD attacks WF. There’s people everywhere, not just in WF.
Mr Derp,
I mean, sure, but why? We can’t look at them like a regular army. They don’t go hungry, so they’re in no hurry. They don’t need to avoid populated strongholds to take the capital, because this isn’t about taking the Iron Throne for them, but about swelling their ranks with the living’s casualties.
Luka Nieto,
I don’t disagree with you, I’m just saying it’s a possibility.
Mr Derp,
For sure. And, to be fair, there may be plot reasons we are unaware of for the White Walkers to do something more than razing the continent north to south. For example, the Night King hitting Winterfell may be because of Bran, just as it happend in The Door. So maybe there are similar reasons for him to head to King’s Langind or elsewhere.
CLEGANEBOWL, GET HYPE!! I just ordered the Hound and Brienne covers immediately. I may have to get a few more…. 🤔 A pack of all of them would make a good giveaway prize!
kevin1989,
I think the most intense Episode 5 would be our “heroes” trapped outside King’s Landing, locked out by Cersei, while the Night King bears down on them from the North. Pitted between a rock and a cold place, they have to fight their way into King’s Landing and then defeat the Night King.
There’s still the rumor that it will be tomorrow, right? Kit is also on Colbert tomorrow night (without anything other than GoT to promote at this time).
That was my first reaction Jack now we’ve got this they will likely keep us waiting another week for the trailer but then it almost certainly means we get only one this time around (which is a good thing).
Also reading these comments I’d be very sure the trailer will not contain any material from the finale in it.
Not sure I can agree there Iul. The Night King wants to kill all humans as that was why the children of the forest created them, the majority of the North are hold up in Winterfell so it’s a clear target in my view.
I think we are all in agreement then.
Lady Stoneheart will FINALLY be revealed. About time!!
Did some measurements. Arya and Sans in the middle.
Oh, God. Me too. Last year I got Jon, but later found Arya and the Four Stark covers at second-hand book stores.
It’s too bad when they photoshoped the cast together for this picture none of the people they pay money to do this could have been bothered to ensure they put the burns on the correct side of The Hound’s face. At least no one chopped Tyrion’s hand off this time.
Ten Bears,
Maybe I will look dumb for asking this but…. What is ASNAWP?
Wow James Hibberd has just released another article with actors teasing their S8 storylines!
A few snippets:
Sansa – “Sansa this season is very much enjoying becoming a leader in her own right, and this year there are certain challenges by people who threaten that.”
Arya – “There’s this split with Arya between trying to be who she wants to be — getting back to back to that naiveté and innocence with her family — and her unfinished business.”
Sounds like Arya still wants to kill Cersei and Sansa is not happy with Dany is my interpretation!
Another quote this time from Peter Dinklage about Tyrion “He’s trying to figure out who he really is in this storm of negotiations.” Sounds like he could turn on Dany but my question is what negotiations is he referring too?
Yeah the rumor is tomorrow. I guess Kit can promote the character posters and this EW reveal. I’m not expecting much honestly. He’ll say the usual, which isn’t much. The posters released Friday and the EW stuff today, so I think they’ll want to space out the trailer a little more. We’re already at 41 days though, so who knows.
Damn Arya’s cover is really good, she looks beautiful and you realise she’s truly adult now.
Clob,
Is that what they did?!! LMAO!
This one from Kit pretty much confirms Jon finds out about his heritage:
Kit Harington: “The end of the world might be coming soon, but at least he’s in love with somebody and knows who he is — and then comes a sledgehammer.”
Rory McCann also teases the Hound may face up to his brother…
New character portraits too! I like the Jon quote. “The end of the world might be coming soon, but at least he’s in love with somebody and knows who he is — and then comes a sledgehammer.”
Edit: Just saw your post 😀
Damn some of these are minor spoilers but here is a quote from John Bradley:
“Sam is really feeling the responsibility of this information. But he knows Jon would rather hear this from Sam than anybody else.”
It seems Hannah Murray may have got married as they refer to her as Hannah Waddington but then don’t have any direct quotes from her so the article isn’t complete.
Sophie Turner in spring 2020: I think Sansa is really enjoying being a leader this year. She’s such an amazing badass!
“Arya Super Ninja Assassin Warrior Princess”
credit talvikorppi. It “should be” in the Lexicon but never gets added. 😛
Jon Snowed,
I don’t know Hannah Waddington, but isn’t Hannah Waddinham the actress who played Septa Unella?
Anyone know what happens to Yara or if she’s appearing in more than one episode? Haven’t seen Gemma in any promo shots yet. Those are the only spoilers I’m willing to know right now. So if anyone has that info, I’d appreciate it.
MaxFowler,
It stands for “Arya Super Ninja Assasin Warrior Princess”
I wonder what Euron has in his hand: looks like a HORN!!! But it might be just a tease
As for Cersei’s dress, I’m glad she gets a crimson one. I thought the one in the poster was just photoshoped from the black but I was wrong.
It looks like an axe.
Yeah, it’s kind of funny, but still neat.
The goofiest thing they did was mirror Sandor so in this his scar appears on the wrong side and makes it look like he’s left-handed by the way he’s holding his sword (left hand on top).
The photos are great! Everyone looks very good! A lovely cast, we are lucky. Lots of fine actors and Emilia.
Cersei’s dress is beyond excellent.
Sansa is again at center. In every photo release, she stands out. I bet she has a big future ahead of her.
Jaime still shrouded in mystery. Is he leaving a barbecue early? Did not like the partridge? Anyway, we can put to rest the silly speculation on why he is unarmed. He is armed when he wants to be armed.
Tyrion tends to look the same in every photo. In the group shot, I like his positioning with his brother. These two guys are probably the most important linking pair in the series. Every character in the series (including those now dead) ties back to these two guys in some way. This relationship is the rock on which GOT rests.
Brienne looks very groomed and regal.
Nice coat motion is Arya’s photo.
Dear Jon – overwhelmed by clothes but looking nice.
Daenerys – she seems to have only one dress? Maybe Sansa was cut down something to fit her?
Gilly…leaving the wilding life.
I think this is the first time that I have seen Varys and Jorah. Spymaster and former spy.
“Rory, stand back a few feet so you look half a foot shorter. Conleth, try to kiss Iain.”
Iain: “What?”
Conleth: “What?”
Mr Derp,
No, I mean on the EW cover photo of Euron and Theon. Definitely not an axe.
I don’t believe there are any spoilers but my best guess is she is killed off relatively early in the season.
It definitely IS an axe – the same one from the other photo. I’m looking at it large on my computer screen right now. The blade is simply hidden behind the “nter” of Entertainment.
Definitely an axe
Dyanna,
and Bronn…
First, almost everyone looks fantastic. Cersei’s dress, Jon’s outfit, even his and Arya’s scabbards. I wonder if these are wedding or coronation outfits. I’ve long believed the show deliberately didn’t let Arya look pretty. But she’s softening again into a grown-up version of her former self and… . Well, the blue winter rose has blossomed and she’s now openly one of GoT’s beauties. Thank you, GoT. PS. It would be surprising were Gendry not prominent (especially with Arya) in Season 8. But as he’s not yet a key player, he is omitted in these photos.
Ten Bears,
What could be “the most emotional and compelling scene” he’s ever shot? Arya & Jon? Arya & Sandor? Sandor & Sansa?
I like the way you’re thinking. But I honestly believe it will be Jon’s–learning that he’s a Targaryen by blood, learning he’s first in line for the throne, AND/OR learning he’s about to become a Pater.
Jon Snowed,
They may have mis-written Waddington for Murray. Hannah Waddington played Septa Unella. Surely she’s not being brought back…….or is she? 🙂
Clob,
Mr Derp,
OK. Thank you for clarification. I’m not a fan of the Dragonbinder:)
Luka Nieto,
Ok.
Jon Snowed,
I think the Targaryen siglum Jon is wearing in the group photo shows us this…
Oh yes! Doesnt appear where Lena does I guess
Ugh. Get Euron out of Theon’s pic. 😋
They said what they asked the production and crew to do has never been done in a show OR movie before???
• ⚠️ Tinfoil Alert
The “Long Night” was a hoax. Propaganda.
• Nevertheless, I’d pay good money to get one of the “I Survived the Long Night” production crew jackets mentioned in the EW article.
Captain Marvel releases this week, so if they really want to put the trailer in theaters, now is the time. SXSW convention also starts this week, so hopefully the trailer isn’t far off. Wednesday we’ll be in the 30s with 39 days until premiere, so yeah I don’t see more then 1 trailer. That’s fine though and one is enough.
😂😂 XD
Looper,
Sounds exciting
—
7 april game of thrones promotional theme:
Manager: next week is the premiere. How did the fans reacted to the trailer?
Person2: trailer? We didn’t air a trailer yet.
Manager: what? Do you mean to tell me we didn’t air a trailer yet and the premier is next week?
Person2:…
Manager:…..
Door opens. Angry got fan mob entering the building. Rains of Castamere is hearing from down the hall.
Where’s Bronn? Not a single photo or cover or poster or portrait?
Tormund, Beric and Gendry deserve better too.
If the war won’t reach the south, then it’s the Not-so-Great-War.
I guess they mean that it’s great because of the various factions fighting all the way from the East. Sigh.
“the long night is a hoax perpetrated by essos.”
“if global cooling is happening why is it hot in slavers Bay”
—
I think the trailer will come mid March or 30 March when veep premieres. We know we only get one trailer. When was the last trailer last seasons before the premiere? Wasn’t that also 2 weeks
Bronn will get murked by Cersei’s goons in Ep 1, book it.
My money would be on someone sacrificing themself for the cause, or realizing that they must: Jaime dying in Brienne’s arms or the like.
I’m stoked for the really funny scene as well. It would be nice to know in which episode it appears, lest it go by without us paying sufficient homage in the form of laughter, not having recognized it without a heads-up. The comedic moments, for me, have really suffered since they went off-books – especially Tyrion’s snarky lines.
Edit: Brienne and Davos pic was in the EW article.
Firannion,
Maybe we’ll finally hear the end of the Jackass/Honeycomb joke.
Queen Daenerys! I love the cover with Dany and the one of her on horseback. Some of the most arresting pictures I’ve seen of her. Jon’s cover really hits also. He looks so fierce and badassed and not the “pretty crow” of earlier seasons. They will make a great King and Queen.
The costumes are really shown to fine effect in these photographs as opposed to the dreary monochromatic posters released last week.
Trailer Tuesday!
Tron79,
• Conspicuously, twice in S7e7 it was emphasized there are 1,000,000 people crammed into KL. First by Tyrion to Jon on the deck of the ship approaching the capitol; and then by Jon himself during the Captured Wight dragon pit show and tell presentation, when he warned that all one million KL residents would be wightened unless everyone joined together to stop the existential threat.
With that foreshadowing, and the NK’s underrated capabilities as a strategist, I don’t see how the AotD won’t attack KL.
• My tinfoil scenario? Waves of wights are about to breach or climb over the walls of KL and swarm into the city when Team Jon & Dany arrive.
– Dany, channeling Ripley from “Aliens”*, figures the only way to be safe is to “Burn them All” and go full Dracarys on all of the wights and one million people alike.
– Just as in S5, when Jon faced the no-win choice of abandoning the Wildlings north of the Wall (option favored by most NW brothers), or making the unpopular decision to try to rescue them to prevent them from being added to the AotD, Jon will urge his forces to try to save KL. Most of his soldiers will think he’s deluded.**
Jon will do the math and conclude that unless they intervene, even a moderate chance that a small number of AotD make it inside the city means Game Over.***
___________
* (From “Aliens”, after Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and marines (including Hudson, played by Bill Paxton) realize that aliens have infested a colony)
Hudson: “Let’s just bug out and call it even, OK? What are we even talking about this for?”
Ripley: “I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.”
Hudson: “F*ckin’ A!”
** Hudson: “Maybe you’re not keeping up on current events. We just got our asses kicked, pal!”
*** (After their evacuation ship crashes)
Hudson: “That’s great. That’s just f*cking great, man. Now what the f*ck are we supposed to do? We’re in some real pretty sh*t now, man!”
***
Hudson: “That’s it! Game over, man! Game over!”
I’m intrigued by Arya’s EW cover photo. I think it’s the first time we’ve seen her without Needle, and only her VS dagger.
And yes: ASNAWP!
Edward,
“The fact that we can finally say the last damn season of Thrones is airing NEXT month. Feels so surreal. April is really closing in.”
——
Too soon!
Once it starts, it’ll all be over in five weeks. 😩
I wonder about the acress who fainted. Don’t think it’s Maise, athough it’s a legit guess. However, what about Carice van Houten/Mel? IMO, she is the only non-combatant character which may have a permanent presence in the battle. I can imagine her standing on the battlements and casting spells or similar.
Firannion,
Since it´s David Nutter who said that I would bet on two scenes. The parentage reveal in episode 1 or 2 since it shakes Jon´s whole life and identity. Or funerals for the fallen in Winterfell´s Battle in episode 4.
Ten Bears,
Whoever puts KL to torch is gonna llet a bloody legacy on Westeros.
It’s actually Dany’s red-gloved hand, but that’s what I initially thought, too! They’re a sneaky bunch who like to throw in Easter eggs, so it’s probably quite intentional.
We see a slightly wiser Bran this year, who’s less like robot overload.
Isaac Hempstead-Wright
OH THANKS GOD! No more robo speaking Bran.
You know what the ultimate twist would be? Dolorous Edd, Tormund, Pod and Bronn being alive by the time we reach THE END.
Even more photos and info: https://ew.com/tv/game-of-thrones-cast-photos-season-8/
Loving the Stark girls being together. Really hoping they kick some ass together in S8.
Dutch Maester,
Hafþór Björnsson: “…”
The best line from a cast member.
People on reddit are saying that the trailer is coming out tomorrow.
I think I’ve said this before:
NK – the Sun Tzo of GoT – knows that the North is armed and ready to defend; all of the VS, dragonglass weapons, dragons, and best trained armies are concentrated in WF.
So all NK needs to do is send enough WWs and (disposable) wights to keep the North occupied long enough while the rest of the AotD ambles on down to KL, where 1,000,000 unwitting recruits await. If there are human casualties while attacking WF, so much the better: that’d be icing on the cake. Unless the Northern Alliance deploys battlefield cleanup crews to burn the bodies of fallen soldiers, that’s +1 wight and -1 human = +2 net AotD soldiers for each human casualty.
Ten Bears,
Don´t expect TV or movies generals to put any plan with tactical or strategic sense.
It´s allways “Charge!”. The biggest the numbers of people charging into each other the better.
Remember The Dark Knight Rises.
“Arya Super Ninja Assassin Warrior Princess”* = acronym ASNAWP.
* Term (somewhat derisively) coined by talvikorppi about a year ago, that caught on with me and other Arya fanboys and fangirls.
Ten Bears,
Well, that would be a very good plan by NK. Then he would be able to attack from both sides at once. If he does that, I could root for him to rule the entire Westeros at the end. He would deserve it, wouldn’t he?
Okay, I am going into hype overdrive!!!!!!!! It feels like our own long night may soon be over. This is enough to tide me over till the trailer drops. So much to dissect and ponder about. So many wonderful shots of the cast looking wondrously amazing. Love the one of Sansa and Arya (in that second linked article). I agree with Sophie Turner, definitely not the kids of Winterfell anymore. Makes me a bit emotional to see them, thinking how much they have grown, been through, survived – really hope they make it out alive and find happiness. Also have to say I am thrilled to see Jon finally get something vaguely nice to wear! Poor guy has been wearing armour for years! Love Gilly’s new costume too – very nice.
I am cracking up at Varys trying to lean in for a kiss with Jorah and am scratching my head trying to figure out what they were going for with that. Jorah looks mightily concerned whatever it was!
I wonder if episode one will be lots of reunions, strategising, a feeling of happy times (thinly concealing the politicking going on between Sansa and Dany), then at the end Bran drops the aunt-bomb on Jon and we cut to credits).
Regarding episode 3 and the ‘final’ battle with the AOTD:
If we get a trailer tomorrow, I will be in hype overdrive. I was thinking earlier how it is now officially next month that GOT returns and it made me suddenly feel a taste of that hollow feeling I will have when it’s all over. I actually want to savour this month and a bit. If we get the trailer and we can go into theorising overdrive, that’ll make it a very enjoyable wait.
Don’t forget Sweetrobin. I’m still clinging to my fantasy of an Afterword in the history books, noting that Robin Arryn lived to a ripe old age, revered as a wise, brave and generous Lord of the Vale and Warden of the East. Just to blow our minds.
Finally, a really nice photo of Alfie, unspoiled by Pilou making stupid “me badass pirate” faces.
Jon Snowed,
“It seems Hannah Murray may have got married as they refer to her as Hannah Waddington but then don’t have any direct quotes from her so the article isn’t complete.”
Wasn’t Hannah Waddington the actress who played Septa Unella? Is she coming back as Mrs. Gregor Clegane?
✅
Mr Derp,
Hannah Waddingham
https://goo.gl/images/sv6x2B
Arya looking like the Younger More Beautiful Queen in that photo.
Ten Bears,
Edit: Sun Tzu. Not Sun Tzo.
Dyanna,
Pod was hung by Lady Stone heart
It is a little surprising that the group photo is done (or pasted together) in front of Lannister banners. You would think they would remove them for a more neutral photo. Cersei is not wearing her crown – I think for a more neutral look.
I suppose it works well with the red trim for Cersei, Jaime, Brienne, Daenerys.
Reminds me of when Paulie Walnuts couldn’t pronounce Sun Tzu in the Sopranos 🙂
Kaysen is saying the trailer is definitely dropping tomorrow. We’ll see.
Sounds like they’re giving as much as their characters, threats of imminent death by zombie aside. It’ll be a very special type of camaraderie to emerge – I hope one or more of the cast write a book about it one day, like Sean Astin did about Lord of the Rings.
Who is Kaysen and how would anyone on Reddit know? Just curious as I don’t use Reddit but I do know it was the source of the S7 plot outline leak.
I think he has ties to Frikidoctor and he’s saying the trailer is dropping tomorrow.
Great pictures! Loving all the new costumes. Daenerys seems to have permanently adopted white and red as her colors, as they’re now appearing in multiple costumes – have to confess that this gives me a slight sense of foreboding.
Interesting that Arya doesn’t have Needle. Seems to hint even more strongly than ever that the dagger is important.
Anon,
Yara – the actress that plays her was having a baby and couldn’t make the photo shoot. She replied on twitter to concerned fans 🙂
Jamie standing in front of the tower he pushed Bran off of on his cover lol.
Good Omens isn’t playing coy (other than the long-delayed reveal as to who is playing DEATH). They announced on Twitter that their final trailer is coming out in two days, for those of you who care.
kevin1989,
> In lord of the rings the final face off between the orcs/Saurons army and the race of man was on the Pelennor Fields
sorry to say this in a GoT thread, but the book is clearly different (I guess the movie too, but I’ve forgotten). It was only a fraction of Sauron’s army led by the first Ringwraight that tried to seize Minas Tirith. Most of Sauron’s army was still in Mordor and the battle at the gates of Mordor wouldn’t have lasted long because Aragorn his troops were completely outnumbered.
But given that in GoT the first season was more about politics, it also makes sense to end with politics (instead of a brainless battle, unless they can negotiate with the NK but I’ve seen no guns for that). For example, suppose Cersei has a child and she is removed from the throne, what would Jon or Daenerys do with that child? (hopefully Tyrion is still around then) Anyway, my end money is on Aegon and his cousins taking over, but without a dragon.
How will this be the biggest battle in film history? That’s a bold statement.
We’ll know soon enough. My money’s on Sapochnik.
@Ten Bears Oh I’m sure Sapochnik will deliver the goods. I cannot wait to see what he cooked up.
So a few things that stand out to me:
“Beloved heroes lay dead outside the castle gates.” I’ll leave that there..
Sam will be wielding a sword against the wights. Does that mean they penetrate WF? I can’t imagine Sam being in the vanguard- most likely he’ll be protecting Gilly and the baby. Or… could this be in the crypts with dead Starks rising? Might explain the ambiguous comment about the wights.
Also- Sansa’s dress is pretty darn fancy. Not your typical “waiting for an icy apocalypse” ensemble. Very queen like- very Cersei in fact.. looks like a better version of Cersei’s ridiculous black bubble wrap dress from S7..
fdr,
That’s my point. The battle was at Minas tirith thats where the action was. Like we will see in episode 3.but sauron wasn’t defeated in the huge battle. He was defeated not by the battle at the black gate which was just 2 minutes max of screentime. It was frodo in mount doom where the focus was. Same could happen with got. The battle episode 3 but the defeat in episode 6.
What if episode 4 till 6 will not be about defeating the night King but destroying magic. Which result in the death of the night king but also the death of some heroes who are kept alive because of magic.
Apollo,
Please don’t let Sam die. Every story needs a Sam. And that Sam needs to survive.
I’m hoping Arya will leave episode 3 alive.
And I think one death is Mel. She gets the rest she wants.
Night watch men wil be death. Thormund I think. Gendry. Varys. Grey worm. Beric.
And I hope Arya and dany will leave alive but I have. Feeling that will not be the case for at least one of them. And if theon Yara will resolve early they could be at winterfell. What if theon will die there defending the starks. Would make his redemption even bigger.
Ps. Just watched till 4×04 again. And I hope we get at least one rains of castamere tune next season. It’s my favorite of the whole show.
Well, from the actors’ statements about the physically exhausting hours they worked and the ridiculous number of nighttime shoots the cast and crew worked on the battle scenes, and Sapochnik’s description about how he filmed it, it seems like they’re really trying to give us something unforgettable.
Others have commented that “Battle of the Bastards” was better than most Hollywood big budget action movies. (I actually liked the Dany & Dragons vs. Masters’ Armada opening sequence better than the Battle for WF.) Of course, “Hardhome” was spectacular: one of the few times I actually found myself so immersed I was yelling at the TV screen: “Listen to Edd! F*ck the glass!”
I prefer “high thread count”, intimate character moments – which I guess we’ll get from Nutter’s episodes, as well as Sapochnik’s.
Kevin1989,
“And I think one death is Mel.”
Oh, I’d take that to the bank. If Arya doesn’t skewer her, Gendry will slow-roast her over the WF blacksmith’s forge like a shriveled 7-11 hot dog.
Speaking of shriveled… I wonder if we’ll see Geezer Mel.
Arya: “You f*cked that?
Gendry: (vomits)
Ten Bears,
I’m intrigued by Arya’s EW cover photo. I think it’s the first time we’ve seen her without Needle, and only her VS dagger.
What if she’s hiding “Dark Sister” under her cloak?
So I get up this morning and see the story about this EW article just before heading to work, and think to myself “Well, WotW will have a story about this and there will be at least 100 comments in that thread by the time I get home.” And I was right! 🙂
Can I just say that Arya’s cover is beautiful? She looks stunning in it! I love the Jaimie cover too. Jon looks great as well in his.
What is Sam thinking with that raised eyebrow? Is John Bradley trying to compete with Emilia for most expressive eyebrows?
I’m so getting hyped now — just over a month away!
OOOOOOOOOOOH. YAY. I’m late to this party but exciting! I love everything! I think Sansa, Arya, and Daenerys all look especially gorgeous in these EW photos, Cersei and her dress are beautiful, love how intimate Jorah and Varys look in the corner (;D), love Jon’s not-armour clothes, love Jaime’s look, Tyrion’s – everyone’s! This shoot also reminds me how really beautiful Carice van Houten is. She’s got a complexion I’d kill for.
Selfishly, I hope you’re right, Jack! Because I’ll be without wifi for 10 hours! 10 hours! During the day!!
But at least I’d probably have 500 comments to read when I land 😉 Something to read while standing in line!
keltia,
The dagger is Dark Sister
That cover photo of Maisie showcases how beautiful Ms Williams really is, we know she’s intelligent, talented and highly athletic; so hopefully her career takes off similar to Richard Madden’s
Another week passes without HBO giving us a trailer. I am getting worried more and more. Are they hiding something? Why not show some non-spoilery trailer?
If there’s going to be a competition for Most Expressive Eyebrows, surely you intend to include a third contestant…
(From S6e6)
Lady Crane: “What’s your name?”
Arya: “Mercy.”
Lady Crane: “You have very expressive eyes, Mercy. Wonderful eyebrows.”
Mr Derp,
I don’t know, man. I’ve waited 33 years for the end of the joke Judd Nelson begins telling in The Breakfast Club.
Firannion,
Hey, I’m still clinging to my fantasy that Daario will turn out to be a surprisingly effective ruler in Meereen. And on the latest rewatch (we’re almost through S4), I was really struck by his exchange with Daenerys when he brought her flowers and, following her derisive reaction, patiently explained to her that in order to rule a land she would need to truly get to know that land—including its plants. Things that make you go hmmm…
The show’s definitely gonna end with a giant eyebrow-off for the fate of Westeros.
The covers are outstanding. I preordered (chose the lovely/funny Davos+Melisandre one, but it was tough. The Varys/Jorah would be my second pick…followed by Jon, Cleganebowl!!, Dany, Arya, Tyrion, Jaime, etc…around a dozen have characters I love!) The Greyjoy one is hilarious too. I hope all 16 images come as posters inside the magazine. Also, I suppose Cersei wasn’t lying to her brothers after all…
I am getting a little worried for Podrick, Gendry, Bronn…maybe a tad for Qyburn (at best he’s like, amoral, but at the same time he just *looks* like such a cute, sweet little old man, lol.) Tormund and Beric, I’m sure they’re keeping under wraps because we’re only 99% sure they survived. ;p Yara, well, she’s currently a prisoner, so I can understand her disclusion from the marketing. Hot Pie & Edd I adore, but perhaps they’re a bit too small to get posters/pictures even if they do make it (and they’d better.)
Ikr?! XD That’s too funny. It seems he’s whispering to Jorah, but the hand on his shoulder and the fact that they’re beside the romantic couples is just so, HAHAHA. I’m hoping two of my favorite Team Dany members will have some good interaction and weren’t just thrown together because everybody else was already paired, lol.
It’d be awesome if one of the group did publish a book about the experience of making the show! I’ve got “Frenchy’s Grease Scrapbook” by Didi Conn and “The Kill Bill Diary” by David Carradine. Fun stuff.
I thought of that too; I expect her to be involved in actual battle this season, but of course non-action scenes too. Somehow I could see it happening to her more than the other possibilities. Whomever it was, I’m glad she was okay.
But, at least that makes sense to have kept secret, as opposed to the person who said they were fighting for their closeup–why not identify them? xD Sam fighting wights is much closer to being a spoiler than that’d be, lol. Unless it was an actor for a nameless character we wouldn’t recognize.
And speaking of Mel, the only death I can see for her involves fighting. Or like, asking to be killed. Not Davos or Arya or Gendry revenge.
Honestly though. She’s perfection itself. I wanna steal her face. x-3 (In a harmless way!)
Thanks for this!
I’m glad she will play a role and wasn’t written out or found dead and buried by the time Theon arrives to the rescue! It’s the last season, I want everyone to get a moment to shine/die/whatever – something worthy/juicy to do.
That should be the teaser trailer… an eyebrow contest – it would drive fans wild!… in a bad way, lol but would be funny to see the meltdowns… I’m not concerned about the trailer, i’m sure i’ll see it, but i’m not sure I want too… pictures and mini clips are fine for me, I want NO spoilers, but it will be hard not to watch the trailer at least once 🙂
Remember, Varys and Jorah do know each other, or at least have history. Back in season 1 – it was Varys receiving intel from Jorah and sending messages to kill Dany.
Now I’m sure Varys knew who he was dealing with, but I don’t remember if Jorah did, messages were sent though the little spy network, so perhaps Jorah never knew who he was dealing with exactly? anyone remember? anyway, might be something that comes up, might not matter
Haha, I’m the opposite (spoiler-hungry; I can’t help it), and yet I think I could be satisfied with a trailer where everyone’s just wiggling their brows and making goofy faces.
And that’s true, that’s true! I’m not sure whether Jorah specifically knew who he was dealing with…probably Varys knew more about him than vice versa…but either way, if these pictures are hints, perhaps they’re on the verge of developing a more personal relationship. :3 If so, I’d bet that history would be rather likely to come up, yes…
I picked up on that too. My assumption is people will die trying to get into Kings Landing either escaping the AOTD or attacking Cersei or Jon. This means Dany’s team is most likely. Greyworm springs to mind but not sure he’d be described as beloved, so I am going with Jorah or possibly the Hound but that would be a huge disappointment before he faces off with the Mountain.
We will get a trailer D&D confirmed so. Reading between the lines they want to give away as little as possible so they are releasing only one trailer this time (usually they do two) and likely it will give away very little. Potentially they are also waiting on SFX work still but I’d say that’s less likely.
Crazy Theory Time – Okay, I went to the EW site to see how much buying a single issue would cost, and saw all the covers next to each other and … why do so many of them have a very large GAME OVER across the bottom of the covers and a few don’t… okay Tyrion, Sansa and the Night King are basically head shots and the large text would slightly cover their faces, so maybe that is why they have smaller text, but Cersei and Arya? There is really no reason to deviate from the common format on all the other covers unless… this is a clue to who lives and dies! Large GAME OVER literally means their deaths are foreshadowed and it will be GAME OVER for them, smaller text they live!
Theory #2 – some have blue lettering, others yellow… only Cersei’s is red – perhaps that means something… not sure the pattern, they are all mixed up alliance wise.
well? too crazy? probably lol
hmm, most are Blue text, but neither is a ‘good’ option for foreshadowing, never mind #2 (don’t like it one bit!)
Yellow – Tyrion, Davos, Melisandre, Dany, Brienne and Arya
Blue – Night King, Euron, Theon, Sansa, Mountain, Sandor, Varys, Jorah, Jamie, Gilly, Sam, Bran, Missandei, Grey Worm, and Jon
Red – Cersei
It seems like the quote for the Hound implies that he will face his brother, so I think that will at least happen – too many people have mentioned it for years and want it to happen for the show runners not to notice
Rory McCann: “There will be a chance of squaring up to his brother and facing those demons.”
Ten Bears,
I don’t think she will not die by the hand of 1 of those 2. I think the only 2 options is:
1. The NK kills her or
2. Once the NK is defeated her job is done, the lord of light release her and she dies. He kept her alive and it was obvious in season 6 that she wants to rest (forever)
The Night King is not defeated in episode 3 , but the bulk of Dany’s army are, Some escape to regroup some are missing, the Crypts will be left standing, and the Night King will be there, while others re-group and lick their wounds . Cue the golden army, The lord of light, Retreat, Dragons, Betrayal, Cloak and Dagger and Hard choices and the loss of major characters .
Jon Snowed,
viki,
I don’t think this refers to KL set, but rather to Winterfell. I remember we had photos of some scene filmed in daytime, presumably after the battle with corpse props lying all around. There were speculations that the scene involved Arya, atlhout the photos were too dim to say anything for sure. Anyway, there were like 4 persons involved in that sceen and it was legit to assume that at least some of them were form the main cast. So, I think this was the scene EW is referring to.
As for KL stuff, so far they are keeping everything under wrap: not a single word; just the set in the background of the cast photos. And the set looks magnificient and definitely worth of a report. Maybe, the upcommin issue of the EW will shed some light on that, but so far the producers were hyping (and mildly spoiling) only the Winterfell battle.
Ten Bears,
Of course! Shame on me!
Apparently D&D put that line in there because the first Funko pop of Arya didn’t have any eyebrows (a glaring oversight!), so this was a little nod to that. Thankfully they remedied this for the new Arya pop that was recently revealed (exclusive to ECC though, grr 🙁 ).
I disagree but will use the spoiler tag to explain why
it’s nothing huge and well reported by this site but just in case someone doesn’t want to read it.
Jon Snowed,
Explain what you mean? What does that say about the story?
I hope the trailer will come later this month. I’m in season 4 with the reruns. Would be amazing if it airs when I finished season 7.
Expect a trailer today? Or so the internet claims?
kathy,
Thank you so mucho for the info!
Love Yara.
+1! +1! +1!!
Looper,
with Bronn. haha (Bronn took Podrick and left “the fancy folks” to talk. season 7)