[Elandadax]

I didn't see this posted yet, but I thought some of you would be happy/interested to see it. :)

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39063

EDIT: I also found this on GRR Martin's blog:

"
HBO has given the production order.

They will be filming the pilot episode of A GAME OF THRONES.

It's just the pilot so far. They'll need to see that before they decide whether to proceed with a full season's episodes. So let's all hope the pilot will kick serious ass.

It should. David Benioff and Dan Weiss did a terrific job with the script. And yes, all of you can relax, it's very faithful. Dan and David will be the executive producers for the pilot and (we hope) the eventual series.

More details when I have 'em. The news is very fresh. HBO just issued their own press release, which should be up on their website soon, if it's not there already.

Winter is coming to HBO. Hot damn."

[Brahm_K]

Happiness!

This is amazing news. The show may not be greenlit yet, but the fact that a pilot is being made is very encouraging.

[Wulfa_Jones]

Looks like Legend of the Seeker hasn't given fantasy TV a bad rep after all.

Well I'll be most interested to see how this develops.

[Muess]

That is super sweet! :D

[Rob B]

This is great and potentially awesome. Let the fanboy casting begin, er continue (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13387)!

Just for reference, we've been discussing this for a while here:

Any word from the HBO TV series? (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20682)

and

HBO Acquires A Song of Fire and Ice (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15792)

[Michigan]

I seriously doubt it ever gets beyond one season, too expensive to produce.

[Eventine]

That and it'll lap the books

[Evil Agent]

This just made my day... or maybe my entire week! :D

So... when can we expect the pilot?

[Ranke Lidyek]

Remember that Martin (I believe) was a showrunner for Beauty and the Beast (the television series). His writing, to a degree, is very "soapy", so that bodes well (if not better) for a series based on his work than for the chance at a conclusive volume in print. This could be a surprisingly great show, but the production cost might be prohibitive. I do believe Rome (another series) did make it a while and I think that would be semi-comparable.

[hawkwind]

I have great faith in HBO producing a very good series. But like someone else said unless it becomes a mega hit I think that it won't last long due to costs. Rome was very good but they had to cut it because of costs. I am eagerly awaiting.