‘Game Of Thrones’ Fans Will Not Recognize Daario 1.0 In ‘The Transporter Refueled’

“The Transporter” franchise continues Friday with “The Transporter Refueled,” the fourth film in the action series. But fans of the films will not be seeing star Jason Statham return to the screen. Taking his place as the lead is English actor Ed Skrein.

Skrein, 32, is a relative newcomer to the industry, landing his first role on-screen in 2012. But in 2013, Skrein hit it big, getting cast on “Game of Thrones” as Daario Naharis, Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) advisor.

Fans immediately fell in love with the handsome actor and the character’s luscious long hair. But just as quickly he appeared, he disappeared. Skrein left the role of Daario in August 2013 without an explanation, but in February 2014 it was announced that he had signed on to join “The Transporter” franchise.

“We searched everywhere to find a fresh face who had the potential to become an action movie star and we’ve found the right match with Ed Skrein, who’s not only a great actor, but also has enough charisma and physical stamina to play Frank Martin with brio,” EuropaCorp CEO Christophe Lambert said in a statement to Variety at the time.

Actor Michiel Huisman ultimately took over the role as Daario in Season 4 of “Game of Thrones.” And although he has now grown on viewers – and Daenerys – polls at the time of Huisman’s debut revealed that fans missed “Daario 1.0,” aka Skrein.

Old Daario lovers will be reunited with Skrein this Friday when “The Transporter Refueled” hits theaters – but some might not recognize him. Although famous in Westeros for his hair, Skrein is rocking a buzz cut in his new movie. The chiseled cheek bones remain though.

Long live Daario 1.0! Will you be going to see Ed Skrein in “The Transporter Refueled”? Tweet your thoughts to @AmandaTVScoop.