Per GRRM's Blog, Roy Dotrice has had to drop out of the role of Grand Maester Pycelle due to health reasons (he should recover within 6 months or so). He will be replaced by Julian Glover (who played General Veers in EMPIRE STRIKES BACK).

Also announced is that Tywin Lannister will be played by CHARLES DANCE. He was the bad guy in THE GOLDEN CHILD and LAST ACTION HERO, but has a very distinguished resume otherwise. Most recently he played Lord Vetinari in a TV adpatation of Pratchett's Going Postal (which makes him PERFECT for the role, imho).
I also think he looks the part:
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com ... dance.html

Fingers crossed.