Hey Westeros fans, we know March is a long time to have to wait for your Game of Thrones season 1 Blu-ray and/or DVD box sets, and April is even longer to have to wait for season 2 to begin on HBO, so we have scanned the internet for some behind-the-scenes goodness and more details on the box sets for your previewing pleasure.

First, a new season 2 behind-the-scenes featurette on choreographing the fight scenes:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9SyjN_AepU&hd=1[/youtube]

Next, from WinterIsComing, is a first look at one of the Blu-ray special features which is somewhat overwhelming in its sheer scope. It’s called the “Complete Guide to Westeros,” and is a set of 24 – seriously, 24 – videos that give an animated account of the history of Westeros, narrated by the cast of the show. This one is about the gods of Westeros and is narrated by Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark) and Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Bran Stark).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQDpIB6S4ac[/youtube]

And here’s the full press release for what’s to come in the two sets:

“Epic Win!” – Time Magazine
“Pulls you in…doesn’t let go” – Los Angeles Times

GAME OF THRONES®: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
Available March 6, 2012 on Blu-rayTM Disc,DVD and Digital Download
Loaded with Exclusive Bonus Content Including Comprehensive Histories,
Anatomy of an Episode, In Episode Guides & Much More!

Game of Thrones, one of the most elaborate and visually striking series on television, makes its highly-anticipated Blu-ray, DVD and digital download debut on March 6, 2012. Based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling series A Song of Ice and Fire, the sweeping fantasy saga instantly became one of HBO’s biggest hits. Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season five-disc BD ($79.98) and DVD ($59.99) sets contain a monumental array of bonus materials and interactive features that will thrill fans of the series and new viewers alike.

Game of Thrones is “tantalizing” (Los Angeles Times), “excellent” (The Hollywood Reporter) and an “HBO Triumph” (Boston Globe) that won two 2011 Emmy® awards including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage). The drama follows kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noblemen as they vie for power in a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime. Two powerful families are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdoms, their bloody struggle for the Iron Throne will have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences.

Bonus Material

The Blu-ray and DVD bonus materials included in Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season are as epic as the show it represents. A full length, 60 minute Anatomy of an Episode, extensive In-Episode Guides, meticulous histories and fascinating behind-the-scenes featurettes all detail the exceptional storytelling, superb acting and stunning visual effects that went into making this sprawling production. Content includes:

Blu-ray – includes all DVD features plus:

Blu-ray Complete Guide to Westeros – an interactive compendium of the noble houses and lands featured in season one, PLUS 24 exclusive histories of the Seven Kingdoms as told by the characters themselves done with animated illustrations that provide more information on the background of Game of Thrones.
In-Episode Guide – in-feature resource that provides background information about on-screen characters, locations, and relevant histories while each episode plays.
Anatomy of an Episode – an in-episode experience that explores the creative minds and colossal efforts behind episode six, “A Golden Crown.”
Hidden Dragon Eggs – find the hidden dragon eggs to uncover even more never-before-seen content.

DVD:

Complete Guide to Westeros – an interactive compendium of the noble houses and lands featured in season one.
Making Game of Thrones – an exclusive 30-minute feature including never-before-seen footage from the set and interviews from the cast and crew.
Character Profiles – profiles of 15 major characters as described by the actors portraying them.
Creating the Show Open – an inside look at the creation of the Emmy®-winning opening title sequence for Game of Thrones.
From the Book to the Screen – executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss along with author George R.R. Martin talk about the challenges of bringing Martin’s epic fantasy novel to life on HBO.
The Night’s Watch – an in-depth look at the unique order of men who patrol and protect the Wall, a 700 foot ice structure that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the darkness beyond.
Creating the Dothraki Language – an insightful glance into the comprehensive language created for the Dothraki people in Game of Thrones.
Audio Commentaries – Seven audio commentaries with cast and crew including David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Mark Addy, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Bryan Cogman, Harry Lloyd, Daniel Minahan and Alan Taylor.

Game of Thrones series regulars include (in alphabetical order): Mark Addy as King Robert Baratheon, Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy, Sean Bean as Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Michelle Fairley as Lady Catelyn Stark, Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish (“Littlefinger”), Jack Gleeson as Prince Joffrey Baratheon, Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Lena Headey as Queen Cersei Lannister, Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark, Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen, Richard Madden as Robb Stark, Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane (“The Hound”), Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. The series is executive produced by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss; co-executive producers, Carolyn Strauss, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, Ralph Vicinanza and George R.R. Martin; producers, Mark Huffam and Frank Doelger; directors include Brian Kirk, Daniel Minahan, Alan Taylor and Tim Van Patten; writers include David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, Bryan Cogman, Jane Espenson and George R.R. Martin.

Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season
Blu-ray Disc & DVD

Street Date: March 6, 2012
Order Date: January 31, 2011
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: Approx. 600 minutes (not including extra features)
BD SRP Price: $79.98
DVD SRP Price: $59.99

About HBO Home Entertainment®

HBO Home Entertainment markets an extensive array of programs ranging from the critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking series The Sopranos®, Sex and the City® and True Blood® to the multiple Emmy Award-winning mini-series The Pacific℠ and Band of Brothers®. The company’s catalog contains hundreds of titles including the Peabody Award-winning children’s program Classical Baby, provocative programs from HBO Documentary Films including When the Levees Broke, innovative movies from HBO Films including Temple Grandin, and comedy specials featuring stand-up performers like Chris Rock and Ricky Gervais. The division distributes programs to the home entertainment market in three formats: DVD, Blu-ray disc and digital download. Launched in 1984, HBO Home Entertainment has offices in New York, London and Toronto and the company’s releases are marketed in over 70 countries around the world.

You also need to know that there is a new behind-the-scenes video currently available on HBO On Demand entitled “Belfast” and described: “Journey to Northern Ireland for this look at the breathtaking locations used in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.” We understand that two more may be coming. If and when HBO uploads this/these to their YouTube channel we’ll be sure to post it/them here.

If you haven’t yet watched season 1 of this epic series (or if you have but want to see it again before March) and you have HBO, all 10 episodes are currently available on HBO On Demand. If the past is any indication, these will go away once the DVDs/BDs hit the street.

Game of Thrones season 2 premieres in April 2012 on HBO.