“Game of Thrones” has become one of television’s most popular series of all-time in no small part due to the blockbuster nature of the show. But even HBO can’t afford every major battle sequence, which is why the showrunners revealed that an epic fight scene was cut due to budget concerns.
The scene in question was meant to be included in the show’s first season as an impressive example of the fantasy hit’s scope and ambition. Unfortunately, it was excised for cost cutting.
“Thinking back to season one, there was supposed to be this big battle,” showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss said on the UFC Unfiltered podcast.
“Tyrion Lannister follows The Mountain into combat — and we were really excited. We were going to have the camera at Peter Dinklage’s eye level and have him follow this giant, The Mountain, into battle and just see everything.”
Dinklage stands 4 feet, 5 inches while Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane” was then played by Conan Stevens, who tops 7 feet tall.
“Frankly we just ran out of money and we couldn’t do it. So that was one of the big battles from the book that we hoped we could get on screen and never managed to do it.”
But neither the showrunners nor the fans are lamenting that one lost battle following season six’s “Battle of the Bastards,” considered by many to be one of the most impressive action sequences in TV history.
“In a way, I think it’s probably better that we couldn’t do it, because it never would have measured up to what we were able to do later.”
Season seven of “Game of Thrones” will be delayed somewhat, but is expected to debut in mid-2017.