Game of Thrones planning action scenes for season 7 

confirmed earlier this week as a new filming location for

season 7. The well-preserved ancient Roman city contains among other things an amphitheater that looks to be a shooting site for the new season.

, sources from the Oficina de Gestión del complejo arqueológico have stated that HBO representatives visited Italica and are set on the amphitheater for filming, particularly as a place to shoot action scenes.

Though the setting seems more typical of Essos than Westeros, Daenerys departed the eastern continent (so it seems) in the season finale, “The Winds of Winter.” The amphitheater with its rows of seating brings to mind another more modern location- Daznak’s Pit, shot in an Osuna, Spain bullring. The amphitheater is not exactly in working order however, which brings the question: what kind of action or fighting scenes could take place in a ruin?

We have a few ways of looking at this. The first- if it looks like Essos, then perhaps it is. Daario stayed behind in Meereen but is this the last we’ve seen of him and Michiel Huisman? It’s a lingering question. And with Euron making his ships (let’s assume he swiped the lumber he needs from shores near the Iron Islands), will he reach Meereen before finding out that Daenerys isn’t there anymore? It’s a possibility.

The second option: the setting could work with Dorne. Southern Spain with its warm climate is a good stand-in for the southernmost part of Westeros. Daenerys has allied with House Martell’s Snakes, and her first landing on her home continent could be Dorne, eventually leading to a fight. After all, Cersei wouldn’t welcome her return to Westeros gladly.

We could also consider the amphitheater as part of the old Dragonpit, which has fallen into ruin. With a bit of CGI, I wouldn’t rule that out.

Another small piece of Spain filming news: it’s been confirmed that

will be returning to film in the Real Alcázar of Seville. With the announcement of filming returning to Seville, we guessed the show would be shooting in the beautiful Alcázar once again for Dorne’s Water Gardens, but now it’s been stated outright by a Spanish official.

Antonio Muñoz, a municipal delegate representing Urban Habitat, Culture & Tourism of the City of Seville, is not giving specific dates, but acknowledges to

that “between autumn and winter” the show is returning the Real Alcázar.

Have you already read all the books and/or don\'t care about spoilers? You can reveal/hide all the spoilers in the comments with the click of the buttons below.

Place the spoiler remarks inside this short code:

Remove the extra spaces between the word spoiler and the brackets, and the front slash and brackets before publishing your comment.

I’m not so sure it’s Harrenhal: the stone just doesn’t match that of the HH set in S3/S4, or the book description (which I suppose at this stage is of little consequence).

I’d love to see the Tourney at Harrenhal, but I have a hard time seeing that site as a place in the Riverlands. The style of the amphitheater just seems wrong to me, personally.

Best guess for the amphitheater ruin is the Tournament at Harrenhal?! Was really hoping Dorne wasn’t in the picture any more, but your guess for returning there is probably right!🙁 Still so good to hear any filming news!

I’m still foolish enough to hope it could be the Tourney of Harrenhal. The VIPs (including the Starks) could be seated on that stage/platform part, the common folk could fill the rest of the seating area, and a certain someone could ride up to the VIP section and crown a certain lady. The rest could be CGI’d like Draznik’s Pit was. Oh, please GOT, make it so.

Tournament of Harrenhall would be epic, I loved the tower of joy flashbacks/Arthur Dayne fight, this would be amazing!!!!

Whats next ? Casting call for Rhaegar Targaryen and flashback to the battle at the trident and sack of Kingslanding ?

What if it’s a stand-in for the crater left when the Sept of Baelor was destroyed?

OMG, yes!! I can so picture that scene taking place in the Italica amphitheater.

What about the ruins of Summerhall? It sits on the border between the Reach and the Stormlands, and if Dany’s coming from Dorne or the southern Reach with her army, it’ll be on the way to King’s Landing.

That picture looks a lot like the amphitheatre! Great find!

Good god this is NOT gonna be Harrenhal, people. Relax.

That artwork is really cool! That helmet with the 3 dragon heads on top is awesome.

Knowing that D&D are fans of this kind of stuff just like us, if it is the tournament at Harrenhal, it wouldn’t surprise me if they bring this piece of art to life on film for us all like that did with some of the Mountain vs Red Viper shots!!!

What actor would you guys like to play Rhaegar?

I would like to see the ToH as well, but I don’t feel it’s likely. We already got the entire story, I feel any Rhaegar Lyanna flashbacks will be after her kidnapping, so that they answer some important questions like was it kidnapping/eloping , was Rhaegar motivated by the tptwp prophecy in making away with Lyanna, were the two married? ToH is not really that important narratively. My best guess is that this is a dragonpit. Maybe some action with Euron and dragonbinder, if they do introduce it, idk.

It seems odd to me that this would be used for an action/fighting scene in Daenerys upcoming storyline. I suppose it’s possible the Dornish could hold a tournament or something as a welcoming party. Daenerys hates fighting pits so much so I can’t see her holding one of those in Westeros. Now, it could be used as an amphitheater for her to address people so they get to know her…

Of course, a vision by Bran could open up any number of things. It feels like it would be a waste of time to do anything (much) again in Essos, or specifically Meereen.

The fanvideos have fucked me up and I can only picture Orlando bloom in Lotr lol but really if they cast him they will pick some unknown guy give him a white wig and I’m sure he will do a good job

ghost of winterfell: Maybe some action with Euron and dragonbinder, if they do introduce it, idk.

Please let this not be. The Dragonbinder is stupid and I’d tell George that to his face if I had the chance. I pray that D&D ignore it completely.

I agree. Think back to the Hand’s Tourney in Season 1. The setup of a jousting tournament wouldn’t work in that location, nor does it look anything like the geography or architecture near/around Harrenhal. NOTE: This doesn’t mean I don’t wanna see the tourney. I need to see the tourney.

Cillian Murphy, Paul Bettany, Tom Hiddleston, TRAVIS FIMMEL

If he appears, they will most certainly cast someone unknown though. I have complete and utter faith in the casting department.

Didn’t D&D say they wouldn’t spend more than 3 seasons in Meereen? I hope they didn’t change their minds. Daario just isn’t important enough to sustain a storyline in Essos imo. I hope we’re done with Meereen tbh.

And also even if I don’t like Dorne seems like it could be there.

ToH or not, Rhaegar will appear in S7, I’m sure.

Yes. They said that. This won’t be Meereen.

What kind of tournament was at Harrenhal? A jousting tournament? No way that would work in that space.

Well it’s not essos I’m sure but other than that who knows at this point.Probably Dorne but what kind of action would go on there?A dragonpit is a possibility but why would they need one at this stage?

Well they could change the place with CGI. And this amphitheater kinda looks like how GRRM imagined the Tourney in the picture I posted above. Anyway, we can’t be certain but if this is indeed the Tourney at Harrenhal I can die happy.

HBO confirms a seven-episode season 7 of Game of Thrones airing next summer ( 209 )

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season coming to DVD/Blu-ray this fall! ( 125 )

Give us your questions for Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi! ( 103 )

Game of Thrones reportedly set to return to Iceland for season 7 ( 91 )

Several new locations in Spain confirmed for Game of Thrones season 7! ( 67 )

Game of Thrones planning action scenes for season 7

WotW Exclusive: Interview with John Bradley

Michele Clapton on her costume work for Game of Thrones season 6 and 7

Game of Thrones unveils new merchandise throughout Comic Con

John Bradley discusses Game of Thrones\' impact and wanting to play The Penguin

Giocrypt on WotW Exclusive: Interview with John Bradley

Jenny on Game of Thrones planning action scenes for season 7

Ser Broccoli McBroccoliface on Game of Thrones planning action scenes for season 7