The Game of Thrones actress has been cast as Sarah Connor in Terminator: Genesis.
It has officially been confirmed that the previous frontrunner for the part of Sarah Connor in Terminator: Genesis—a reboot of the legendary series—has been cast; Emilia Clarke is Sarah Connor.
Revealed only moments ago via Deadline, the casting confirms that director Alan Taylor went the leading lady he had previously worked with during his time as a director on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Her casting also likely indicates other decisions are about to be quickly made, as Jason Clarke (no relation) closes in on playing the part of John Connor in this expanded time-altering take of the character.
Emilia Clarke won the role after a casting search that narrowed it down between herself and Brie Larson, who also auditioned for the part last month. However, it would seem Clarke already had proven herself in Taylor’s eyes from the time they worked together in her star-making role as Daenerys “Stormborn” Targaryen on Game of Thrones. Prior to jumping back to features with last month’s successful Thor: The Dark World, Taylor directed episodes from the first two seasons of that series and served as a producer. As Daenerys, Clarke plays a blonde-haired fiery-hearted monarch who resides in exile in the world created by George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. However, Clarke’s most striking attribute on the series is that she plays the “Mother of Dragons,” a Khaleesi whose reptilian “children” lay waste to entire cities. The role has netted her an Emmy nomination. She has also recently appeared on stage as Holly Golightly in a Broadway version of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
The film, set for release in July 2015, would change the dynamics of the original film by prominently featuring John Connor’s perspective when he sends Kyle Reese back in time to protect his mother (Clarke) from a murderous cyborg, as well as to facilitate his own birth. Sarah Connor was played by Linda Hamilton in the 1984 original and to iconic fanfare when she reprised the role in 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day for which her tough-as-nails reimagining of the character still has its fans. The part has also since been played by Clarke’s Game of Thronesco-star, Lena Headey on the short-lived but cult followed Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which ran for two seasons between 2008 and 2009.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is also expected to reprise his role as a merciless T-800 in the new film.