The Mountain's Casting Shake-Up in Game of Thrones: Unraveling the Actor Changes
The Mountain in Game of Thrones was portrayed by three different actors throughout the series Find out why the character underwent multiple changes and discover how the show's recasting of The Mountain became one of its greatest successes
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Game of Thrones recast the character of the Mountain twice, but Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson's portrayal is the most memorable and iconic.
Due to the Mountain's minimal dialogue and imposing demeanor, the alterations in casting were less apparent. Although the show deviated from the books in terms of the Mountain's plotline, Game of Thrones managed to establish him as one of the most unforgettable characters within the franchise.
The actor playing the Mountain in Game of Thrones was recast twice, despite the character's standout presence. Gregor Clegane, also known as the Mountain, appeared in all but one season of the HBO series. Known for his immense size and strength, the Mountain became a prominent figure in the show due to his brutality and memorable scenes. However, fans may not have realized that three different actors portrayed the character, as his role was initially smaller. Among the various characters that were recast in Game of Thrones, the Mountain had the most changes. Initially introduced as a powerful but insignificant henchman to Tywin Lannister, capable of decapitating a horse with one swing of his sword, the Mountain's most memorable moment occurred during his duel with Oberyn Martell, where he mercilessly crushed the prince's skull with his bare hands. Nevertheless, all of these impactful moments were brought to life by different actors playing the Mountain.
The Mountain: Game Of Thrones' 3 Actors
Game of Thrones made clever use of the Mountain's limited dialogue to smooth over the transitions in casting. Initially portrayed by Conan Stevens in the show's first season, who actively campaigned for a role and even auditioned for Khal Drogo, the Mountain was soon recast due to scheduling conflicts after appearing in just two episodes. Post Game of Thrones, Stevens secured a role as an orc king in The Hobbit film series.
In season 2, Ian Whyte (known for Prometheus) took up the mantle of the Mountain and also returned to his previous role as a White Walker from the show's debut season. Whyte admitted to the challenge of separating his emotions while portraying Gregor, considering the character's brutal nature on-screen. Following his portrayal of the Mountain, Whyte continued to work on the show, portraying Dongo, a giant in the wildling army, and Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun, a wight giant.
Who Was The Best Mountain Actor In Game Of Thrones?
The character of the Mountain in Game of Thrones season 4 was taken over by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, an Icelandic strongman and actor. Among the various recastings, it is Björnsson's portrayal that is most famously associated with the character. Björnsson's performance as Gregor featured unforgettable scenes such as crushing Oberyn's skull, standing as a loyal guard to Cersei, and ultimately engaging in the highly anticipated face-off with the Hound in the finale, resulting in the demise of both characters.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson stood out among the Mountain actors, delivering the character's most memorable moments. While Conan Stevens made a powerful entrance by beheading his own horse and engaging in a joust with Loras Tyrell, he only appeared in two episodes, which limited his ability to fully develop the Mountain. Ian Whyte, on the other hand, had an extensive presence in the Game of Thrones world, portraying not only the Mountain but also a White Walker, Wun Wun, and Dongo. Despite this, his three-episode stint as the Mountain showcased a noticeable difference in appearance compared to Conan Stevens.
Björnsson, however, enjoyed the advantage of portraying the character for the longest duration. The Icelandic strongman made his debut in Game of Thrones during season 4's "Mockingbird," and concluded his 17-episode portrayal in season 7's "The Bells." He was also the sole actor to experience an arc with the character, albeit a gruesome one.
Björnsson's portrayal of the Mountain was only seen once prior to his significant confrontation with Oberyn. After that, he vanished for an entire season while Qyburn conducted experiments on the heavily poisoned Clegane. When the Mountain resurfaced as a zombie, it solidified his status as the most terrifying character in the series. Even without speaking and frequently concealed in armor, Björnsson brought a chilling presence to the role, firmly establishing himself as the true embodiment of the Mountain as the formidable figure became more intertwined in the narrative.
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House Of The Dragon Has An Equivalent To The Mountain
The Game of Thrones prequel spinoff House of the Dragon wouldn't be complete without its own version of the Mountain: Ser Harwin "Breakbones" Strong, portrayed by actor Ryan Corr. Taking place about 200 years prior to the events in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon delves deeper into the past. Ser Harwin, the eldest son of former Master of Laws Lyonel Strong, not only holds the title of the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms but is also the rightful heir to Harrenhal. As Tywin Lannister previously explained, Harrenhal's infamous stones were incinerated by Balerion the Black Dread, the dragon ridden by Aegon the Conqueror during the War of Conquest.
Furthermore, Cersei directly alludes to House Strong when she proudly refers to the Mountain as "Ser Robert Strong" after Qyburn successfully resurrects Gregor's corpse. Before the Targaryen Civil War, Harwin Strong tragically perished along with his father Lyonel in a fire at Harrenhal caused by his brother, Larys Strong. This event, reminiscent of the Mountain's fate in Game of Thrones, highlights Harwin's reputation as the most formidable warrior in Westeros. Despite his significant role in the House of the Dragon's storyline, his limited appearances spared him from being recast like Gregor Clegane.
What Did The Show Change About The Mountain?
The actor portraying Game of Thrones' Mountain changed twice, and there are noticeable differences between the onscreen portrayal and the depiction of Gregor Clegane in the books. In the books, the Mountain frequently complained about migraines and became reliant on milk of the poppy, which was not explored in the show. Additionally, the books extensively described how the Mountain's raiding parties posed a threat in the Riverlands during the War of the Five Kings, whereas the show only briefly touched on this through a scene where Ned Stark is briefed on the situation.
In the books, the Mountain also repeatedly killed the Lord of Light priest Beric Dondarrion. Despite these omitted scenes and storylines that would have added depth to Gregor Clegane's character, Game of Thrones successfully made the Mountain one of the franchise's most memorable figures.
What Filming Game Of Thrones Was Like For The Mountain Actors
The experience of portraying the Mountain on Game of Thrones varied for each actor, just as they brought their own interpretations to the character. In season 1, Conan Stevens remembers shooting his most iconic scene where the Mountain skillfully beheads a horse in one swift motion. While the Mountain found it effortlessly, Stevens recalls the challenge of filming the scene with the horse. He shares that although the horse was willing to fall when guided by the trainer, the presence of a giant man wielding a sword posed a problem.
Ian Whyte had a brief stint as Gregor Clegane and didn't have many standout moments to truly establish himself as the character. Despite playing multiple roles on Game of Thrones, Whyte considers the Mountain to be his favorite. According to Whyte, Gregor Clegane is one of the most despicable characters in literature, film, and television. Although he didn't have the opportunity to fully embody the character's darkest traits, the Mountain remains one of the most sinister villains on the show.
On the other hand, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson had the most screen time and significant moments out of all the actors who portrayed the Mountain. He was involved in numerous epic fight sequences. Despite his immense physical prowess in real life, Björnsson admits that filming these scenes presented its challenges. In particular, he reveals that the fight scene with The Hound was the most difficult to shoot.
"We were filming in the stairs back and forth, again and again and again, and it is quite difficult to do fighting on stairs, I have to admit that."
The Mountain Actor Change Is Game Of Thrones' Best Recasting
Although changing the actor for the Mountain multiple times may have appeared problematic initially, it ultimately led to one of the most successful recastings in Game of Thrones. Given the vastness of the show and the constant flux of characters, it is understandable that adjustments would be made occasionally. However, the decision to cast Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as the Mountain, after the character had played a minor role in the series, proved to be a beneficial choice in the long run.
The Mountain's most memorable moment in Game of Thrones was in season 1 when he decapitated a horse. Despite the distinct differences in appearance among the three actors who portrayed the character, some fans may not have noticed the change due to the Mountain's limited screen time. However, Björnsson's portrayal brought new depth and memorable moments to the character, from his epic fight with Oberyn to his final showdown with The Hound in the show's last season. (Source: The Daily Telegraph, Flick and the City, 9 Honey Celebrity)
Editor's P/S
1. The Mountain's casting shake-up in Game of Thrones was a bold move that ultimately paid off. The showrunners took a risk by recasting the character twice, but each actor brought their unique interpretation to the role, culminating in Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson's iconic portrayal. Despite the changes, the Mountain remained one of the most memorable and intimidating characters in the series.
2. The recasting of the Mountain also highlights the importance of finding the right actor for a role, even if it means making changes along the way. Conan Stevens and Ian Whyte both brought their strengths to the character, but it was Björnsson's physicality and charisma that truly made the Mountain an unforgettable presence on screen. His performance in the duel with Oberyn Martell is one of the most iconic moments in the entire series, and it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role.
