Winter is Coming to Comic-Con

That's right....if you are one of the many fans of fantasy author George R. R. Martin and his series "A Song of Ice and Fire", get ready to enter the realms of the Seven Kingdoms at Comic-Con this summer. When "A Game of Thrones" was finally bought by HBO last summer, and casting was completed last fall, fans of the series have been buzzing on the internet ever since.

Now, four and a half months into filming, we are all wondering when we will see the first trailer for the series that will premiere next spring.

In Martin's blog, he announced last week that HBO is planning something big to promote "A Game of Thrones" at Comic-Con this summer. That is the earliest we can expect the first footage. And per usual, Comic-Con attendees are the first to see it....well, I'm sure many of us wouldn't have it any other way.

Perhaps this is the show we will get to see on Preview Night? We'll see...

Martin posted in his blog this morning that HBO hired expert language creator David J. Peterson to create the Dothraki language for the series. Producer D.B. Wiess said of his work so far, "The language he’s devised is phenomenal. It captures the essence of the Dothraki, and brings another level of richness to their world."

Being a huge fan of the Dothraki from the books, I certainly expect a lot from HBO in creating this nomadic culture, especially since Jason Momoa has been cast to play Khal Drogo. I'm hopeful though. HBO isn't one to half ass anything. When they decide to create something, they create it like no one else can. I'm pretty sure "Band of Brothers," "Rome," "Deadwood," "The Pacific" and "Carnivale" are proof of that.

Now that the first full season has been greenlit by HBO, the series creators can now finish casting for the rest of the roles needed, including the recasting for Catelyn and Daenerys. Jennier Ehle has been replaced by Michelle Fairley as Catelyn, and casting for Daenerys is still ongoing.

Although there has been no more official casting news, there have been fan and creator suggestions for the final large roles of Sam, Littlefinger and Tywin Lannister. Two big names begin rumored for the role of Tywin are Patrick Stewart and Bill Nighy. Personally, if Stewart can connect with his nasty side, he just could be a perfect fit for Tywin. For Littlefinger, it has been rumored that the role was suggested to Kevin McKidd and James Callis. However, with "Grey's Anatomy" and the "Rome" movie in his schedule, McKidd's chances are slim. As for Callis, knowing the kind of slippery characters he can portray, like Dr. Balter on "Battlestar Galactica," he might be a fantastic choice for Littlefinger.

It will most likely be closer to June until the official news is released on the final casting decisions.

Finally, he released a few photographs of Maisie Williams Arya Stark, holding Needle which was given to her by Martin himself. I think she looks great!

And for those of who are are loyal readers of the novel series, Martin has released that he is in the final steps to completing book five of the series "A Dance with Dragons." Seeing as it's been almost five years since "A Feast for Crows," I guess another year or two before release isn't really that bad. I'm sure we can find something to sate our appetites until then...

Visit http://winter-is-coming.net/ for more news.