Now-Iconic GoT Role Was Almost Played by Another Popular Actor
Perhaps best known for playing Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games film and Philip Swift in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Sam Claflin actually auditioned for two separate roles in Game of Thrones.
Speaking to Cinema Blend, the UK-born actor said he was up for an altogether darker role as Viserys Targaryen. Now, it's worth pointing out here that it was the malevolent Viserys in Game of Thrones, the one who married off his sister, Dany, before eventually being killed when he famously had molten gold poured on his head.
This was, of course, a very different Viserys to the one portrayed by Paddy Considine in House of the Dragon. Considine's Viserys – who was actually king – was an altogether more palatable character and a good man. He was iconic in the series, going against tradition to make his daughter the rightful heir and generally managing to combine being king with also being a thoroughly decent chap.
But it wasn't just the role of Viserys that Claflin auditioned for in GoT. He was also up for the part of Jon Snow. In the end, he wasn't offered either part. Instead, he says "Snow White and the Huntsman—or was it Pirates of the Caribbean? One of the two happened" and both roles in Game of Thrones were taken by other actors (Kit Harrington played Jon Snow and the role of Viserys went to Harry Lloyd).
Despite missing out on a part in what turned out to be an iconic series, Claflin says he's "kind of glad" that his auditions were unsuccessful.
Not because he's not a fan of the show. Quite the opposite in fact. It turns out Sam Claflin is a huge fan of Game of Thrones and loved the series. But he said he finds it "jarring" to watch things he's been in.
As a viewer like the rest of us, he was able to really get into Game of Thrones and experience it in the same way as other fans from all around the world. The twists, turns, random killings, and dubious relationships kept the actor glued to his set as the violent and heavily sexual drama played out – just as they did for all of us.
Although, there is one thing that might make us all feel a little sorry for him. If he finds watching his own performances jarring, he may well have missed out on all the fun of Pirates of the Caribbean.