‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 added legendary actor Max Von Sydow this week in a familiar role….
Max Von Sydow — best known for roles in films such as ‘The Exorcist’ and the upcoming ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ — has been cast in ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 as the Three-Eyed Raven.
For those that may not remember the character from season 4 — when Bran Stark finally escapes the wights and makes his way into the tree lair held by the children of the forest, he encounters a man sitting in a throne of vines who tells him that he will never walk again but he will fly. That’s the Three Eyed Raven.
Now the history of the character goes much further back but without getting into too much mythology, before he was the Three Eyed Raven, most believe he was known as Brynden Rivers, a legitimized bastard of Aegon IV Targaryen. Rivers fought in several wars and uprisings before eventually becoming the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
He eventually disappeared while north of the Wall and that’s where he’s remained ever since and part of the reason why myths in Westeros still say that Brynden Rivers is the Three Eyed Raven.
The Three Eyed Raven is also known as one of the last greenseers still alive — a greenseer is able to manipulate nature, has prophetic visions, and also is a warg (can see through and control animals).
Considering Bran Stark is confirmed to return for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 6, it’s a good bet that he’ll be interacting with Sydow’s new character quite a bit this year.
‘Game of Thrones’ season 6 returns in spring 2016 on HBO.
