'Game Of Thrones' Preview Trailer: HBO Shows 15 Minutes (VIDEO)

HBO has briefly lowered the gates to Westeros. Expect many return visits.

On Sunday night, the network debuted a 15-minute preview of their upcoming fantasy epic series, "Game of Thrones." Based on the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series of novels by George R.R. Martin, the series follows the politics, magic and wars over the Iron Throne, the highest seat in the kingdom's capital of King's Landing.

Confused? Don't be -- HBO is hoping to attract both hardcore fantasy viewers and the mass audience that poured in for the "Lord of the Rings" movies. The show will weave together story lines from the book series' four novels and three prequel novellas, with both wars amongst humans and other species, such as the Others (sound familiar, "Lost" fans?).

Sean Bean stars as Eddard "Ned" Stark, and Michelle Fairley plays his wife, Catelyn.

The series debuts April 17th; check out the long preview below -- as a warning, there are some graphic images of violence involved.

WATCH:

Game of Thrones Exclusive Preview

Comments

[trumphent]

11:22 PM on 04/20/2011

This is pathetic. BlackAdder was the only series of this genre that is worth the time.

[magicalnews2]

02:26 PM on 04/18/2011

Game of Thrones: A quick & Better Review of Game of Thrones
http://bit.ly/fa3V7R

[JasonMcl]

09:17 AM on 04/13/2011

Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, King Robert Baratheon, Rob Stark, Viserys Targaryen, Tywin Lannister, Joffrey Baratheon, Renly Baratheon and Khal Drogo ....

... are all names of characters in this novel.

[Greg Ranzoni]

03:56 AM on 04/10/2011

Paramount just lost the rights to "Dune" HBO BUY THEM! Or Starzs or ShowTime, Unless it's gonna be a four hour movie it won't do the book any justice

[Noble]

01:53 AM on 04/06/2011

I gave up reading the books years ago when I realized the author Martin was never going to complete the series. A shame because he could weave a story like no one's business. Curious how they wrap the tv series.

[TechYes]

08:19 PM on 04/06/2011

Next book in the series is due out on July 12th - per other commenters here.

[Noble]

09:58 PM on 04/06/2011

I started the series in my 20's when it first came out. At the current rate of publication, I'll be well in my 60's when it's completed. By another author I suspect. I went thru something similar with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series which is still two books away from completion last I checked and IIRC started when I was in my late teens. My rule now is I don't start a series unless it's near completion.

Per wikipedia:
# Title Pages Chapters Earliest Release
1. A Game of Thrones 694 73 August 1996
2. A Clash of Kings 768 70 November 1998
3. A Storm of Swords 973 82 August 2000
4. A Feast for Crows 753 46 October 2005
5. A Dance with Dragons (Announced) July 12, 2011
6. The Winds of Winter (Forthcoming)
7. A Dream of Spring (Forthcoming)

[Tinki - bot]

01:08 AM on 04/06/2011

I wonder where they filmed this; it's stunningly beautiful.

Must use ze googles!

[TechYes]

09:59 AM on 04/07/2011

Per wikipedia:

"Principal photography for the first season of the series was scheduled to begin on July 26, 2010, with the primary locations being Paint Hall Studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Malta, a change in location from Morocco. For the initial shooting of the pilot in 2009, additional filming locations included Carncastle, Shane's Castle, Castle Ward, Magheramorne Tollymore Forest Park in Northern Ireland, and Doune Castle in Scotland."

No wonder it's so beautiful - GREAT locations.

[firelord5000]

12:12 AM on 04/06/2011

Way too excited for this show! Between this and upcoming Darktower show/movies, I'm set! Still not sold on Javier Bardem as Roland, Bale would match the character far more.

[scarletxoxoxo]

11:12 PM on 04/05/2011

I am so excited :)

[MrFantasyHimself]

08:36 PM on 04/05/2011

For those who like these books, I recommend Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. Amazing books, though often long-winded in setting. Now that Jordan has passed, Brandon Sanderson's doing a good job wrapping up, though it's hard not to satisfy readers when they're 10,000 pages in and you've got about 5 plot lines to bring to a close, it's inevitable to get some action.

I also highly, highly recommend Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series. Can't wait to see that made into a miniseries or film.

[Master of Puppets]

08:52 PM on 04/05/2011

Yeah, I just finished The Gunslinger and can't wait to start The Drawing of the Three. Ron Howard is going to be directing a six part tv series and they've offered Javier Bardem the role of Roland. Should be some good stuff.

[firelord5000]

12:13 AM on 04/06/2011

Dark Tower is simply epic.

It is being made into TV Show and movies for all of the books, with lead being offered to Javier Bardem... though Christian Bale has been interested in doing this as well, I'm hoping they change their mind and go after Bale, he would totally just nail the character of Roland Deschain.

[Big Game Hunter]

08:31 PM on 04/05/2011

SPOILER ALERT: Jon Snow is Raegar's son.

[darkhall68]

05:21 AM on 04/06/2011

Why would you even post that?

I'm half way through the third book.

Thanks a bunch.

Look at me !!! I know what happens in the end!! woo hoo.

[Big Game Hunter]

03:40 PM on 04/06/2011

I was just kidding. The book never says this explicitly.

[kitkat7]

11:06 AM on 04/06/2011

Insteresting theory, but still speculation at this point...

[Big Game Hunter]

03:42 PM on 04/06/2011

Speculation... with tons of evidence to support it... while all theories to the contrary are fragile. Anything that anyone says in the books about who his mother is may likely be part of a cover-up. Why cover it up? Consider what Robert would do to Eddard's nephew if he found out that he were Rhaegar's son.

[Ampoliros]

05:44 PM on 04/05/2011

Earth to HBO. You have a large fanbase that want to pay for this show but refuse to pay for cable. You can cut the amount of pirate feeds in half if you stream it yourselves or through another pay site like itunes.

I have money I want to give you to support this show and I'd rather not have to wait for the DVD boxed set.

[Charles Rhodes]

06:55 PM on 04/05/2011

Co-signed. I just called Comcast and it will cost me an extra $10 per month for the first six months just to watch this show. I'd rather not give MORE money to evil Comcast.

[JasonMcl]

09:25 AM on 04/13/2011

I agree totally.

HBO should have streamed their content for a monthly fee a long time ago. Their audience isn't exactly the typical cable crowd.

[OldNedder]

03:42 PM on 04/05/2011

One thing that strikes me is the beautiful cinematography. The cameras seem hand-held and yet are capable of very smooth panning and other motions. Perhaps the result of digital stabilization in post-production.

Down with the jittercam.

[LilithV]

11:16 AM on 04/05/2011

The books are great- although I admit I had a hard time keeping interest for the first 100 pages or so. I'm glad I stuck with it. I can't wait to see what HBO does with this series, and hope they stay true to the books and not twist them like they did with True Blood (True Blood is also a great show, just very different than the books)

[Vatican Assassin Warlock]

08:04 AM on 04/05/2011

What is up with nerdy fantasy authors having two middle names? What pretentious nonsense is this?

[Ampoliros]

05:47 PM on 04/05/2011

Really? Your name is Vatican Assassin Warlock and you're calling someone else nerdy and pretentious. Let me guess, do you dual-wield scimitars or katanas?

Full Disclosure: I still play D&D. (and not the new dice-based game that calls itself D&D)

[Agron L]

03:33 PM on 04/06/2011

Because George R.R. Martin is more memorable then George Martin

[Vatican Assassin Warlock]

01:39 PM on 04/07/2011

Maybe you're right. "J.R.R. Tolkien" sure has that extra "oomph" that "J. Tolkien" was missing.