OMG IT'S HAPPENING.
HBO has given a pilot order to the fantasy TV series Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin's epic series "A Song of Fire and Ice". It will be written and executive produced by David Benioff (25th Hour, Troy) and D. B. Weiss. Also on board as producers are Carolyn Strauss, Guymon Cassidy, Vincent Gerardis and author George R. R. Martin. According to Martin, the BBC will come on board as a partner if the series goes ahead. He also assures fans that the final script is extremely faithful to "A Game of Thrones".
HBO acquired the rights to the books back in January 2007. It the show is successful, the plan is to adapt each novel into one season of television. The pilot is expected to be shot in Europe or New Zealand.
The synopsis for the first book:
'A Game of Thrones is a contemporary masterpiece of fantasy. The cold is returning to Winterfell, where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime. A time of conflict has arisen in the Stark family, as they are pulled from the safety of their home into a whirlpool of tragedy, betrayal, assassination, plots and counterplots. Each decision and action carries with it the potential for conflict as several prominent families, comprised of lords, ladies, soldiers, sorcerers, assassins and bastards, are pulled together in the most deadly game of all--the game of thrones.'
High-fantasy on HBO! Suck on that, The Tudors.
Source: THR, Variety, The TV IV
*
ETA: THROW ME YOUR CASTING WISHES, F-LIST!
ETA2: Can Michael J. Anderson be in this? Pleasepleaseplease?
ETA3: Some imaginary casts made by other people, if you're interested - here, here and here.