Game of Thrones HBO pilot Greenlit

[Brewdude]

...And the producers are looking for fan suggestions on casting! No joke. Check out this set of threads:

http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?showtopic=32275

Now HBO orders 10ish pilots a year, so pilot does not means the series will get greenlit, but it's a significant step, and hey, when's the last time a tv producer asked for YOUR input at this step in the process?

[Thiel]

Well, at least it's a novel (and probably effective) marketing scheme. The question is, will our opinion have any say in the decision, or are they just saying that it is?

[Brewdude]

We just wanted to say 'Hi,' and thank you guys for everything: your love of the amazing world George has created, your enthusiasm for the HBO adaptation -- and of course, your casting expertise. It's hardly been two days since George, Elio and Linda put the call out, and you've already made dozens of great suggestions, the vast majority of which are new to us. It's crucial that we get the casting right, and you're all providing invaluable help in that area.

Honestly, I don't think it's marketing...they only contacted a single martin fansite for it. Looks more like a "utilize the time of people who have spent way too much time thinking about this stuff" to cast as wide a net of legitimate casting options as possible.

I mean, there's a gazillion parts to cast. 'tiz a big job.

[Gygaxphobia]

The most important thing, surely, is that GRRM gets on and finishes the damn series.
It's been ages since he promised another book and his writing just goes further and further downhill.