George R.R. Martin Praises Paddy Considine’s Viserys Targaryen in House of the Dragon

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Summary

  • George R.R. Martin feels excited when his works are adapted accurately to screen, likening them to his “fictional children.”
  • Martin noted that adaptations can sometimes make significant changes which may not align with his original work but can improve it.
  • The portrayal of Paddy Considine as Viserys Targaryen in House of the Dragon was an example of an adaptation that surpassed his written character.

George R.R. Martin openly discussed his emotions upon witnessing his books transformed into television series or films, acknowledging both positive and negative aspects.

George R.R. Martin hails from America and is renowned for his work as a novelist, short-story writer, and TV producer. His magnum opus, the epic fantasy series titled “A Song of Ice and Fire“, gained immense popularity when it was transformed into HBO’s smash hit “Game of Thrones” from 2011 to 2019. In 2018, he released the book “Fire & Blood“, which chronicles the history of House Targaryen. Remarkably, this book was published after his other works and serves as the backstory for the prequel series “House of the Dragon“. Since some of Martin’s stories have been brought to life on TV and cinema screens, he has been asked about his feelings when he witnessed his narratives unfold in this manner.

Martin recently chatted with Collider magazine during promotional activities for his film, “In the Lost Lands,” which is based on his original short story and stars Milla Jovovich under the direction of Paul W.S. Anderson. During their conversation, they discussed various aspects of the movie when the interviewer asked Martin about the pros and cons of his stories being brought to life on screen. Martin compared his written works to children since he doesn’t have any real ones. He explained that authors face two options after selling their work for adaptation: either actively participate in the filmmaking process or accept that someone else is creating a movie from their story. If the resulting adaptation lives up to the author’s original vision, Martin acknowledged it was a truly satisfying feeling. In his own words, he said:

Should my book be adapted into a movie and perhaps I contribute to its production, I might not catch a glimpse until the premiere. Yet, when I do on opening day, if the film captures the essence of my writing as intended, it feels like my dreams have been brought to life. My fictional characters leap off the pages and onto the screen, an indescribable thrill and excitement that fills me with pride.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but share my personal experiences with book adaptations. Much like other popular authors, I too understand that my works might undergo transformations when they hit the big screen, whether these changes are for the better or worse. Some writers have even left premieres of film interpretations of their novels in disgust. Yet, there’s one unique situation that stands out to me. In this instance, a scriptwriter significantly altered a character from my books, but the result was something I ended up adoring. To my surprise, I felt that the changes made in the adaptation surpassed my original vision. The writer even thought the actor portraying the character should receive an award – he’s none other than Paddy Considine as Viserys Targaryen in House of the Dragon. As you might guess, these words are mine, George R.R. Martin.

As a movie critic, let me express my thoughts on the character of Viserys Targaryen in the series. Although he may not have a significant role in the grand scheme, they brilliantly cast Paddy Considine for the part. In my opinion, Considine’s performance was Emmy-worthy and simply outstanding. His portrayal of Viserys is so captivating that it makes me wish I could rewrite parts of the book to give him more screen time. However, as a writer, I know the unpredictable nature of storytelling, and sometimes things just don’t go according to plan – much like gambling. Wouldn’t you agree? You never know what twists and turns the story might take next.

Martin is one of today’s most renowned authors, with many of his works being transformed for television and film productions. He accurately anticipated both the advantages and disadvantages when adapting these works. In Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” Viserys was depicted as a feeble ruler who passed away peacefully in his sleep, but there were suspicions that he was poisoned. Despite being fair, his kindness made him seem weak because he preferred to pursue peace rather than rule decisively. However, in “House of the Dragon,” Considine portrayed Viserys as a more compassionate and tragic character, adding depth to the role. For example, his final dinner scene was both moving and heartbreaking, highlighting how deeply he desired his family’s unity. Unlike in the book, the show presented him with a devastating illness and a sorrowful ending. Furthermore, Viserys served as the main protagonist in “House of the Dragon” Season 1, contrasting with his historical representation in the book.

House of the Dragon currently streams on Max.

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2025-03-11 14:16