(L-R) Writer/producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, director Miguel Sapochnik, and actor Liam Cunningham attend the 'Game Of Thrones' panel during 2016 Comic-Con International. (Photo : Getty Images/Kevin Winter)
Avid viewers of the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones" have grown to love Kit Harington for his portrayal of the resurrected warrior Jon Snow. However, the series' showrunners have recently revealed that another cast member served as the actor's fierce rival during the show's casting activities.
Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss shared some interesting information about "Game of Thrones" that included a look at casting activities in finding the actor to play Snow. In an interview with Deadline, they revealed that cast member Iwan Rheon was one of the actors who was shortlisted to play the said character. Fans may recall that Rheon portrayed the villainous character Ramsay Bolton who died in Season 6.
Both Benioff and Weiss recounted how Rheon initially auditioned for Harington's now iconic role. They described him as a great and "incredibly versatile" actor. The two showrunners shared that Rheon has been one of the actors that made it to the final batch of stars whom they shortlisted for the role. However, they decided to cast Harington.
Rheon eventually joined the HBO series as the villain Bolton. Benioff and Weiss also commented that they enjoyed writing the scenes that involved the actor. The two showrunners explained that given Rheon's sense of humor and intelligence, he was able to add his own spin to the character. Both filmmakers even shared that one of their favorite scenes in Season 6 featured the actor's character's death scene.
Apart from reminiscing about Harington and Rheon's casting activities, the two producers also shared some of the personal challenges that Snow will face in the upcoming new season, as indicated in the same report. Benioff and Weiss made mention of the said character's honorable characteristics and how it could be the source of Snow's struggles in Season 7. "The question will be whether an honorable man can overcome dishonorable enemies," the two showrunners stated.
Meanwhile, Harington admitted during an interview with The Wrap that he became cocky during the HBO show's sixth season. The actor was referring to his character surviving the previous season. The show has been known to kill both its main and supporting characters. Harington commented that since his character has been recently resurrected in the early part of Season 6, Snow would be killed in the same season.
However, Snow's fate in the upcoming new season is still unclear. Avid fans will need to wait for further spoiler news to learn more about beloved characters.
"Game of Thrones" Season 7 is expected to return to the small screen in summer 2017.
Watch Snow and Bolton's iconic battle in Season 6:
