A major scene in “Game of Thrones” season five was reportedly saved from the cutting room floor.
[WARNING: this article contains potential plot spoilers]
The production reportedly encountered an issue with getting permission to film at a Croatian Church. There is a scene in the "A Song of Fire and Ice" saga where Cersei Lannister, played by actress Lena Headey, is required to do a penance walk to answer for her crimes. She must complete the walk naked with a shaved head.
The scene is a major part of the novels and the showrunners reportedly did not want to cut it from season five. The rumored shoot was allegedly to take place at Church of St. Nicholas in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
“We're told the local film commission will not give producers a permit to shoot the scene because they take their cue from the church -- in this case the Church of St. Nicholas,” TMZ reports. “Sources [say] they can't cut the scene because it's crucial to the story line and it's an iconic moment from the book.”
However, HBO showrunners were able to work out a deal with Croatian film commission. TMZ reports the production will be allowed to shoot Cersei’s big scene on the streets of Dubrovik, but cannot step inside Church of St. Nicholas.
“We're told the film commissioners changed their initial ruling upon realizing how much pleasantry "Game of Thrones" doth bring the townspeople. It also brings in a lot of copper pennies,” according to TMZ.
Sources added the Cersei church nude scene will be shot on a fake church set. Though Headey has had simulated sex scenes, it would be the first time the actress would appear naked in the show’s history. The “Game of Thrones” production has not commented on the rumored Croatian shoot.
