Games Of Thrones’ Terrifyingly Huge New Actor Is Pretty Scary In Real Life Too
He has set a world record for bending cast iron. On his neck.
[This post talks about last night’s episode of Game of Thrones. So: spoilers!]
Everyone in Westeros is running scared of Gregor Clegane, and for good reason. After seasons of recasting the role of Clegane, aka ‘the Mountain’, actor Hafþór Júlíus “Thor” Björnsson is the third person to play the part of Tywin Lannister’s right-hand man. With his sheer strength and ginormous build, the Mountain has worked himself up a reputation for being one of most feared characters in Game of Thrones, with last night’s episode proving no different.
So just who is Hafthor Bjornsson? Well, glad you asked. The 25-year-old actor stands at a massive 6 feet 9 inches and weighs more than 400 pounds. So it’s no surprise he (almost) won the 2014 World’s Strongest Man (he missed out on first place by half a point).
The Icelandic actor is a regular on the strongman circuit, and holds the title of strongest man in Iceland and third strongest in the world. Here he is, in full Hulk-esque glory, setting a world record for bending cast iron (on his neck, no less).
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He can also pull a truck. Make that two. At the same time.
But don’t be fooled into thinking he’s all scary. Based on a Reddit AMA he did in March this year, Bjornsson seems like a softie at heart. He explains how he landed the role on Game of Thrones, with an audition that was just a little left-of-centre:
He also said, “My goal is becoming the World’s Strongest Man!”
If he does achieve that, he’ll possibly be the nicest strongest man as well.