Italy’s Taormina Film Festival kicked off with a double dose of ancient firepower on Wednesday evening as the first episode of HBO’s “House of the Dragon” Season 3 was unveiled on a gigantic outdoor screen to a cheering crowd of 5,000 spectators in the Sicilian resort’s Greek theater which dates back to the 3rd century B.C.
The Italian premiere of the new season of the prequel show, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” launched in the ancient theater situated in the shadow of Sicily’s active Mt. Etna volcano with stars Steve Toussaint (Lord Corlys Velaryon), Harry Collett (Jacaerys Velaryon), Bethany Antonia (Baela Targaryen) and Phoebe Campbell (Rhaena Targaryen) in attendance for the first stop of its global promotional tour after world premiering on June 8 in London.
“We’ve chosen to come to Taormina because the combination of “House of the Dragon,” Taormina, this amazing theater, and Mount Etna behind us is just unbelievably amazing,” said WBD South Europe Managing Director Alessandro Araimo.
Asked on stage about his rapport with “Game of Thrones,” and what it felt like to join “such a beloved universe” through his character, Toussaint said: “Well, I think that we stand on the shoulders of that great show.”
“If that show wasn’t as phenomenally successful as it was, maybe we wouldn’t be here doing what we’re doing in terms of our journey through the Westeros realm,” he added.
“We are their ancestors. We were setting the pace, and I think for people who love that show, there are lots of moments in “Game of Thrones” where they refer back to the events that you see portrayed by us. So I think that makes it that much more exciting and interesting.”
Helen Mirren, Russell Crowe, Gore Verbinski and Fernanda Torres are among top talents that will be making the trek to the storied fest in the Sicilian resort – known to U.S. audiences as the location of “The White Lotus” Season 2 – over the next few days. Crowe is coming for the world premiere of Australian action thriller “Bear Country” in which he reunites with “Unhinged” helmer Derrick Borte.
As previously announced, Jane Campion is presiding over the Taormina fest jury that also comprises Holly Hunter, costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, casting director Francine Maisler, breakout director Akinola Davies Jr. (“My Father’s Shadow”), Amazon MGM Studios’ head of global marketing Sue Kroll, and Italian actor/director Pietro Castellitto.
The 72nd edition of Taormina will run June 10-14.
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