'Game of Thrones' season 4 has been the subject of a number of surprise re-castings, but it seems one of the major season 4 roles had been reported wrong entirely. Where a Maltese publication previously presumed 'Banshee' star Joseph Gatt had been cast in the Wildling role of Styr, Magnar of Thenn, it has now been confirmed that Russian actor Yuri Kolokolnikov will instead take the role.

Confirmation of Kolokolnikov's casting in the popular 'Game of Thrones' role arrives via Entertainment Weekly, though without any acknowledgement of the previous suggestion that Gatt had stepped in to fill the role. Not only was Gatt considered a strong physical match for the tall, hairless character description, but like Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) and Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Gatt had been considered a fan-favorite for the part.

In any case, 'Game of Thrones' creator George R.R. Martin’s books describe Styr as a tall, earless Wildling leader of the Thenn clan, who forges an alliance with Mance “King Beyond the Wall” Rayder (Ciaran Hinds) in the Wildling battle against the Wall.

While we wait for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 4, HBO has cast in known roles Joel Fry as Hizdahr zo Loraq, Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mace Tyrell, Pedro Pascal as Prince Oberyn Martell, Indira Varma as Oberyn’s lover Ellaria Sand, and ‘Sherlock’ star Mark Gatiss as Tycho Nestoris. Gatt may still appear in a different role, while ‘Treme”s Michiel Huisman will replace Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis, and Hafthor Julius Bjornsson will take over the role of Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane from Ian Whyte, among other recastings.

It's still a long road until the 2014 premiere, but what say you? Are you excited to see 'Game of Thrones' season 4 bringing to life one of the more exciting characters in 2014?

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