HBO has confirmed that a Game of Thrones reunion special is happening and it’ll be included on the complete series DVD and Blu-ray set. The fantasy hit series has yet to air its final season but the six-episode conclusion has been filmed already. It’ll air on HBO starting in April 2019. The final season, which will reportedly have episodes longer than an hour, will wrap up the eight-season saga as the forces of men led by Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen finally face off against the undead White Walkers.
As any Game of Thrones fan knows, the series has said goodbye to several prominent actors by killing off their characters in brutal and surprising fashions. The reunion special, which has also already been filmed, will partly honor that tradition. The special is set to include actors from the series’ past and present including the initial face of the series, Sean Bean, who played Ned Stark.
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EW reports the reunion special was shot in Belfast during the filming of the final season of Game of Thrones. The special was hosted by late night's Conan O’Brien and Bean is confirmed to appear. HBO has previously denied rumors of the special, which was leaked by Bean, but now the network is admitting the reunion exists. Interestingly, though, the special isn’t scheduled to air at all on TV. It’s only confirmed to be included in the complete series box set, which will release sometime in 2019, after the airing of the final episodes. There’s no word if it’ll be included in the season 8 home video release as well.
It’s equally as unclear which actors will be involved. As of right now, Bean is the only confirmed presence. Yet it’s easy to assume that most, if not all, of the main cast of Game of Thrones season 8 will be included. A Game of Thrones reunion without Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke simply wouldn’t feel right or represent the series. Their characters Tyrion, Jon Snow and Daenerys (respectively) have become pillars of the series and vital to the overarching plot.
Regardless of which of the remaining main cast participates another returning face might have been already revealed. Aquaman actor Jason Momoa, who played Khal Drogo in season 1, did travel to Belfast during filming of the final season. The actor posted about the trip on his Instagram and it sparked speculation that Drogo might return for the final season. While Drogo’s resurrection seems very unlikely and Momoa’s "official" reason for his trip was to visit his old co-workers and friends, it’s far more likely that he’ll participate in the reunion special. It would make sense for Momoa to be involved as well because while he was a minor character in Game of Thrones, his star has risen considerably since his time on the fantasy series. Momoa could provide a great perspective of explaining how the series helped his career and what it was like to see Game of Thrones grow far beyond his character.
As for any other returning actors, their involvement in the reunion would be purely speculative. It’s unlikely that the special will include every major actor from the series. This wouldn’t just be a logistical nightmare to work out, but Game of Thrones has had dozens of major characters throughout its seasons. To include everyone from Tywin Lannister to Hodor would undoubtedly cut some actors’ time in the special very, very short.
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Source: EW