Warning: There are spoilers ahead if you're not caught up with "Game of Thrones." 

Fans are in an absolute tizzy over Jon Snow's fate on "Game of Thrones."

At the end of season 5, Jon Snow was left for dead after a mutinous attack by his Night’s Watch brothers. Since then, fans have been in an inescapable debate of whether or not Jon Snow has been permanently killed off the HBO series.

Many of those working on the show, from producers to actors to the president of HBO programming himself, have insisted he’s dead and never coming back. 

But die hard fans refuse to believe the claim.

Theories of Jon's survival have been circulating ever since 2011, when the last book, “A Dance With Dragons," was released. When the show finally caught up to the books in season five, TV viewers joined in with wild speculation. We wrote up a lengthy overview explaining theories of how Snow could still be alive right after the season five finale. The short of the argument is that Melisandre, the red priestess, will probably revive Jon through a fire-magic ritual that has precedent in the series.

But at this point, fans are looking beyond the books for clues. Instead, they’ve turned to denouncing every statement and action made by those involved with the show’s production. These are the top six reasons fans are refusing to believe Jon Snow is totally dead. 

1. The semantics game

When asked plainly if Harington was released from his contract, showrunner Dan Weiss told Entertainment Weekly: “Dead is dead.”  The director of the finale episode, David Nutter, also told President Obama himself "Jon Snow is deader than dead." 

The latest insistence came from HBO programming president Michael Lombardo. “Dead is dead as dead as dead. He be dead. Yes. From everything I’ve seen, heard, read, Jon Snow is indeed dead,” he said.

This may have dispelled casual watchers from believing the hype, but the zealots have continued to brush these off as lame cover-up attempts. When you look at these quotes back to back, it's almost comical how intent everyone is on using the words "dead" and "Jon Snow" in the same sentence. 

This brings us to the semantics-based argument that devoted followers have begun circulating.

Sure. Jon Snow may very well be dead. BUT, he's most likely going to be resurrected or reborn next season. Technically, HBO can put word out there that he's "dead" without being deceptive. 

Because, really, what else would HBO representatives say? “Well, you’ve figured it out! You’re right, he’s totally coming back.” Of course not. They have to try and maintain some semblance of mystery, however thinly veiled.

Just minutes after the season five finale, Entertainment Weekly ran an interview with Kit Harington, the actor who plays Jon Snow. When asked about the possibility that his character might not truly be dead, Harington was adamant. “They said, ‘Look, you’re gone, it’s done.’ If anything in the future is not like that, then I don’t know about it – it’s only in David and Dan and George’s heads. But I’ve been told I’m dead. I’m dead. I’m not coming back next season.”

Blowing right past the insistence that he is dead, readers latched onto the technicality of that last sentence. So Harington isn’t coming back next season. Does that mean he may come back the season after that? Some fans think so.

If anything, Harington's comments just put internet detectives on alert for potential news of his appearance on set for the next season. "Game of Thrones" works on a tight schedule. Just weeks after the season five conclusion, actors and crew members began assembling in one of the set locations, Belfast.

2. Hiding in plain sight

Popular "Game of Thrones" news community Watchers on the Wall has reported multiple sightings of Harington among cast members in Northern Ireland. They referred to Jon's return as "the worst-kept secret in Game of Thrones land."

The argument can be made that he is merely on set to film a funeral scene, but this isn't entirely convincing for one reason: Fans are reporting the Harington refuses to take photos with them. 

Twitter user @niamhweasley stumbled across Harington in a restaurant, and expressed her disappointment when he refused a photo. 

In the past, Harington was more than happy to snap a selfie with a fan. Just a year ago, also during filming season, fans frequently posted photos like the one below with no issue.

This sudden change of protocol makes it seem as though he is under pressure to lay low. 

3. #HairWatch is in full effect

Harington's precise location isn't the only detail that fans are obsessing over. The length of his hair has become a focal point of many believers. 

In December 2014, The Independent reported Kit Harington regretted being contractually obligated to keep his hair long for the role of Jon Snow. Harington said he planned to "cut it off quite soon. As soon as I'm allowed." If he truly isn't returning as Jon, and has fulfilled the HBO contract, surely he'll turn up with short hair. And yet, week after week, every photo snapped of Harington shows those long locks intact.

Above is a photo taken in early July, when Harington attended Wimbledon and created a hair-related frenzy of speculation. 

Each one of his appearances in Belfast has inspired fans to reassure their co-conspirators that his hair has undergone no changes.

4. A "quite spectacular" slip

Carice Van Houten, the actress who plays Melisandre and Jon Snow's would-be savior, said in an interview after the finale aired "you feel that [Melisandre] is concentrating more and more towards Jon Snow … there are slight hints that something’s going to happen." These words had a much more dramatic implication coming after Harington's statements regarding the finality of his death. 

Van Houten also teased that something "quite spectacular" was in the works for next season, but she wasn't able to elaborate. 

It feels as though Van Houten is referring to the hints fans have grabbed onto as a basis for their theories that Melisandre will be involved with Jon's return from the dead. One commenter pointed out, "She's not being terribly subtle."

5. The telling history of San Diego Comic-Con 

The final clue that fans have focused on came from the highly-anticipated "Game of Thrones" panel during the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con. These panels often feature both of the show's creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, as well as several prominent cast members who were killed off in the most recent season.

In 2013, the panel included Michelle Farley and Richard Madden; the actors who played Catelyn and Robb Stark, respectively. Their deaths at the Red Wedding massacre in season 3 were among the most shocking and game-changing of the entire series. 

Then, in 2014, the fan favorites Rose Leslie (Ygritte) and Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell) were also present at Comic-Con. Ygritte was Jon Snow's love interest, and had been killed during a battle at the Wall. Oberyn Martell had an iconic death against the Mountain. Both were on hand for the "Game of Thrones" panel to answer questions about their experiences on the show.

When the 2015 panel participants were announced, dedicated followers immediately noticed three major absences. Both show creators AND Kit Harington were missing from the line-up. This sparked plenty of conversation around the logic behind this decision, and whether it was a clear move on HBO's part to avoid direct questioning about Jon from fans.

6. The incomplete "In Memoriam" toy collection

Mid-July, HBO announced a new collections of "Game of Thrones" character merchandise. The group of toys was dubbed: "Honor the Fallen: Game of Thrones™ In Memoriam." The tribute includes the likes of Stannis Baratheon, Oberyn Martell, and Ned Stark.

Jon Snow was noticeably absent from the set. 

More conspiracy conversations were sparked from this HBO announcement. Since many iconic characters were included, why not Jon? Perhaps it's because his death is not as permanent as the those who were included.

The fact remains that, as far as anyone has been informed, only three individuals actually know the answer to this question. The author of the book series, George R.R. Martin, and the two creators of the HBO series David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Martin has reportedly told Benioff and Weiss how the series ends, which means they should know Jon Snow’s true fate.

Until author George R.R. Martin publishes the sixth book, “The Winds of Winter,” dedicated followers of both the book series and the show are stuck in an frustrating but hope-filled purgatory. 

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J.K. Rowling is known for confirming (or denying) Harry Potter rumors via her magical Twitter feed. The famous "Harry Potter" author has used the social media platform in the past to answer questions about minor characters' fates or background on locations in the books.

But now Rowling has taken it a step further, and actually named her favorite fan theory for the first time. A Twitter user sent this tweet to the author, asking "What's you[r] favorite fan theory?": 

And Rowling responded:

"Dumbledore as death. It's a beautiful theory and it fits."

The gist of the theory, which went viral in early August, is that Dumbledore represents "Death" in the Tale of the Three Brothers.

This folk story was an essential part of the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", and tells a tale of three powerful magical objects that were given to the brothers by Death himself.

It fits that Dumbledore is the parallel character to Death, since he once owned all three Hallows — the Elder Wand, the Invisibility Cloak, and the Resurrection Stone. Dumbledore was also the "giver" of all three Hallows.

The argument can be made that this is more of a fantastic literary analysis, since Dumbledore isn't literally Death. 

Here's a screenshot of the original theory as it was posted to Tumblr. 

Fans can rest easy knowing the Rowling herself agrees that this is a beautiful theory. 

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Warning: this post contains spoilers for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of future events.

Buckle in "Game of Thrones" fans, there's a new fan theory circulating online, and this one might throw you for a loop. 

It starts with an older theory, one that claims Ned Stark is not Jon Snow's real father. Known as R + L = J, the conjecture states Jon is the love-child of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, Ned's sister. Book readers began discussing this idea online as far back as 2006, as evidenced from this thread. The evidence for this is aplenty, as you can see in many postsaround the web. If this reveal (which would mean that Jon is heir to the Iron Throne and Daenerys Targaryen's nephew) isn't enough to blow your mind, now there's a new twist: 

Jon may have had a twin.

On Tuesday, Redditor ghostchief posted a season six opening scene prediction, which outlined a dramatic scene with Ned Stark rushing to the bedside of his sister painfully giving birth to Jon:

A baby's cry rings out as the septa raises a boy and walks him over to the man and woman.
The dialogue swells and clarifies to her voice, "Promise me, Ned."
Her eyes slowly close.
Ned begins to sob.
He raises his head to sound another high pitch noise coming from the foot of the bed.
A baby girl

The baby boy in the sequence would be Jon, who Lyanna asks Ned to protect before dying from birthing complications. But the twist is the "baby girl"— who is she? The thread does not help much with identifying who Jon's twin is. However, theories that align with this idea have been in circulation for a few years.

Meera Reed, one of the companions who has been helping Bran Stark on his journey north, might be this baby girl.

This 2012 post to "A Forum of Ice and Fire"elaborates on the idea: "What if Ned had Howland take Meera back to Greywater Watch to raise Meera as his own and Ned took Jon back to Winterfell to raise because bringing two bastards back would seem suspicious?"

Confused? Let's back up a bit. 

In the first book, "A Game of Thrones," Ned Stark has a flashback to a scene known as the "Tower of Joy." Years ago in Westeros, a war was started when the prince, Rhaegar Targaryen, allegedly kidnapped and raped Lyanna Stark — sister of Ned Stark and the promised wife to Robert Baratheon. 

The Starks and Baratheons teamed up with other houses to fight and defeat the ruling Targaryen family, killing Rhaegar in the process. After the war ended, Ned went to rescue his sister from the Tower of Joy where she had been living. His only companion on the rescue mission was a man named Howland Reed. 

It is widely believed that Lyanna not only went willingly with Rhaegar, but that she was pregnant with his child (or as the topical theory suggests, children). Jon and Meera.

In Ned's flashback, he recalls Lyanna in a "bed of blood" which many take to mean that something went wrong during labor. She dies, but not before begging Ned to promise her something. If Lyanna did produce Targaryen babies, they would be in imminent danger from Robert Baratheon and the other enemies of the Targaryen family. 

So it makes sense that Ned would lie, claiming Jon as his own in order to protect him. If there was a twin, she would have undoubtedly been handed over to his only trusted friend present — Howland Reed.

Meera was introduced to readers (and viewers) as Howland Reed's daughter. As noted in Bill Bradley's Huffington Post report on this theory, Meera and Jon Snow look very similar on the show. 

The resemblance is due mostly to their dark, curly hair and penchant for wearing fur, but the similarity is there for those that want to believe this theory. 

The evidence goes beyond just looks, though. One of the posts from a few years back summed up support for Meera's uncovered identity, comparing her to the other Stark children: 

Meera was born in the same year as Robb and Jon, and we know nothing whatsoever about her mother...Meera's physical description is very similar to Lyanna's and Arya's. She's slim and flat-chested, attractive without being traditionally beautiful...The odds of Lyanna dying in childbirth seem more likely if she had twins.

Not everyone is on board with this idea though. Lots of "it's too Star Wars"comments have been made, alluding to the Luke and Leia secret-twin twist that came in the iconic series. More than one Redditor referred to the theory as "solid tinfoil," dismissing the idea as creative but too outlandish to be true.

But others are convinced. According to the Huffington Post's poll, 78% of viewers agree that it's might be true.

No matter where you stand, all "Game of Thrones" fans can agree that this is a fun possibility. 

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NOW WATCH: What really happened to Jon Snow in 'Game of Thrones'?

Warning: Do not read ahead if you want to avoid spoilers for "Game of Thrones," as well as speculation about upcoming plot lines.

"Game of Thrones" fans were left on the edge of their seats last June, when the fifth season of HBO's smash hit came to a close on a giant cliffhanger finale.

Filming for next season started almost immediately, and with the set location reveals, new casting calls, and analyses of the book series, fans already have a pretty good idea of what's to come. 

We've sifted through all the rumors and speculation to find the plot lines that are most likely to come to fruition. Scroll down to see what's in store for season six of "Game of Thrones."

Fans are excited to see the return of some characters that were noticeably absent during season five. Notably: Bran Stark and his companion, Hodor.

Isaac Hempstead Wright, the young actor who plays Bran, confirmed he will be back this season. "It’s going to get particularly interesting with Bran," Wright told Entertainment Weekly. 'He has some interesting visions.”

As EW noted, "Game of Thrones" showrunner David Benioff indicated that by the time we see Bran in the upcoming season, he will have already been training with the mysterious "Three Eyed Raven" he was last seen with.

Benioff once made a comparison between Bran Stark and Luke Skywalker to explain his absence in season five. "It would be far less interesting, after 'The Empire Strikes Back' to have an hour-long movie in between 'Empire' and 'Return of the Jedi' where Luke is training,” Benioff said. “It’s so much cooler to cut from [the] end of 'Empire' to beginning of 'Return,' where he’s become the Jedi."

We'll get to see Bran's new abilities, as well as more of his powerful teacher, the Three-Eyed Raven.

Bran is the only active warg currently on the show, which means he has an advanced ability to enter the minds of animals and humans around him. We learned in season four that he is also a "greenseer," someone who can see into the past and future through cryptic visions. 

Bran is coming back, along with his new mentor the Three-Eyed-Raven. Casting announcements were recently made, when Variety confirmed "Max von Sydow will take over the role, which was originated by Struan Rodger in the season four finale of the HBO drama." 

Book readers have speculated Bran will play a big part in the coming war against the Others (the supernatural ice humanoids also known as White Walkers) with his talents, and this will likely be unveiled in the coming episodes.

Bran isn't the only Stark who may return to the screen. Rickon may return, too.

Rickon, the often forgotten Stark, is rumored to return in season six. In case you can't remember who Rickon is, he is the youngest Stark child, who named his direwolf Shaggydog.

In both the show and the books, Rickon hasn't done much. Like his brother Bran, we last saw him in season four. Rickon split from Bran and Hodor, and took a different path with Osha — the Wildling woman who is now in service of House Stark. Their plan was to try and get to the Last Hearth, a castle that belonged to a family who had sworn fealty to the Starks. 

There has been no word of them since.

But actors Art Parkinson and Natalia Tena, who play Rickon and Osha, respectively, have recently been sighted in Belfast, Ireland, a known filming location for "Game of Thrones" scenes that take place in northern Westeros. 

In the book series, it's not clear where Rickon and Osha (spelled Asha in the novels) have been. The last they were mentioned, a loyal Stark follower met Davos Seaworth (Stannis' right hand man) and asked him to find Rickon.

One reader has theorized, based on context clues of the book scene, that Rickon might be hanging out on an island called Skagos, a remote settlement, home to a supposedly cannibal race of men. 

Now that is the type of drama season six would be remiss to leave out. With the actors' reappearance in Belfast, there's a chance the world will finally know what Rickon has been up to all this time.

Warning: Do not read ahead if you want to avoid spoilers for "Game of Thrones," as well as speculation about upcoming plot lines.

"Game of Thrones" fans were left on the edge of their seats in June, when the fifth season of HBO's smash hit came to a close on a giant cliffhanger finale.

Filming for next season started almost immediately, and with the set location reveals, new casting calls, and analyses of the book series, fans already have a pretty good idea of what's to come.

We've sifted through all the rumors and speculation to find the plot lines that are most likely to come to fruition. Scroll down to see what's in store for season six of "Game of Thrones."

Fans are excited to see the return of some characters that were noticeably absent during season five — notably Bran Stark and his companion, Hodor.

Isaac Hempstead Wright, the young actor who plays Bran, confirmed that he will be back this season.

"It’s going to get particularly interesting with Bran," Wright told Entertainment Weekly. "He has some interesting visions."

As EW noted, "Game of Thrones" showrunner David Benioff indicated that by the time we see Bran in the upcoming season, he will have already been training with the mysterious "Three-Eyed Raven" he was last seen with.

Benioff once made a comparison between Bran Stark and Luke Skywalker to explain his absence in season five.

"It would be far less interesting, after 'The Empire Strikes Back' to have an hour-long movie in between 'Empire' and 'Return of the Jedi' where Luke is training," Benioff said. "It's so much cooler to cut from [the] end of 'Empire' to [the] beginning of 'Return,' where he's become the Jedi."

We'll get to see Bran's new abilities, as well as more of his powerful teacher, the Three-Eyed Raven.

Bran is the only active warg currently on the show, which means he has an advanced ability to enter the minds of animals and humans around him. We learned in season four that he is also a "greenseer," someone who can see into the past and future through cryptic visions.

Bran is coming back, along with his new mentor the Three-Eyed Raven. Casting announcements were recently made, when Variety confirmed that "Max von Sydow will take over the role, which was originated by Struan Rodger in the season four finale of the HBO drama."

Book readers have speculated Bran will play a big part in the coming war against the Others — the supernatural ice humanoids also known as White Walkers — with his talents, and this will likely be unveiled in the coming episodes.

Bran isn't the only Stark who may return to the screen. Rickon may return, too.

Rickon, the often forgotten Stark, is rumored to return in season six. In case you can't remember who Rickon is, he's the youngest Stark child, who named his direwolf Shaggydog.

In the show and books, Rickon hasn't done much. Like his brother Bran, we last saw him in season four. Rickon split from Bran and Hodor and took a different path with Osha, the Wildling woman who's now in the service of House Stark. Their plan was to try and get to the Last Hearth, a castle that belonged to a family who had sworn fealty to the Starks.

There has been no word of them since.

But actors Art Parkinson and Natalia Tena, who play Rickon and Osha, respectively, have recently been sighted in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a known filming location for "Game of Thrones" scenes that take place in northern Westeros.

In the book series, it's not clear where Rickon and Osha have been. The last they were mentioned, a loyal Stark follower met Davos Seaworth, Stannis' right-hand man, and asked him to find Rickon.

One reader has theorized, based on context clues of the book scene, that Rickon might be hanging out on an island called Skagos, a remote settlement, home to a supposedly cannibal race of men.

Now that is the type of drama season six would be remiss to leave out. With the actors' reappearance in Belfast, there's a chance the world will finally know what Rickon has been up to all this time.

Warning: There are potential spoilers ahead for season six of "Game of Thrones."

Since the season five finale, one question has dominated "Game of Thrones" discussions: Is Jon Snow coming back? The reigning theory says technically Jon was killed — allowing HBO executives and the show's actors to insist "he's really dead"— but it looks like Jon will be resurrectedby the red priestess Melisandre.

Friday, The Daily Mail provided "Game of Thrones" fans with great news— Kit Harington was photographed on set, in costume, and looking very much alive.

Here's one of the photos tweeted out by The Daily Mail:

Many dedicated followers were simply satisfied with the confirmation of Jon's return, but there's an exciting clue in this photo that's less obvious. 

Jon is wearing Stark colors.

Looking carefully, you can see Harington sporting a navy blue undershirt with a long brown overcoat. Several Redditors identified this garb as "padded gamebson," a type of light armor. 

This blue and brown padded gambeson was seen on the Stark soldiers in season one. You can see Ned Stark wearing it in this shot from the first season as well:

So Jon is wearing Stark armor. What does this mean for season six?

First, it signals the end of his time with the Night's Watch. Brothers of the Night's Watch are required to wear black from head to toe, abandoning their house colors. Clearly Jon is no longer bound to these rules.

But how? 

Jon has always taken his vows very seriously. But if we had to guess, being stabbed repeatedly by his sworn brothers may have disenfranchised him. Plus, there's a loophole Jon may fit into.

The first line of the Night's Watch oath is: "Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death."

Technically speaking, Jon's oath is fulfilled. He died. According to the standing theory, Jon was killed in the attack — but he will be resurrected by Melisandre. 

This leaked set photo is the first confirmation fans have about Jon potentially being released from his duty to the Night's Watch. Speculative threads on Reddit's popular "A Song of Ice and Fire" subreddit from three years ago discuss this very idea. But now we're finally seeing it come to life.

If Jon is no longer a part of the Night's Watch, he is free to take charge of the Wildlings, and fight against the White Walkers without meddling in the politics of the Night's Watch. Jon can now participate in the wars of the Seven Kingdoms, avenging his family and leading the Starks. In early September, other leaked set photos allegedly showed a "northern battle" with the Boltons and Wildlings. 

Jon could take charge, battling the Boltons and reclaiming the North. In season five, Stannis Baratheon offered Jon the lordship of Winterfell, but Jon had to refuse because of his Night's Watch vows. Now Jon is free to shed his bastard status and become a Stark the next time it is offered. 

Jon can even sit on the Iron Throne if he wants. This would be especially fitting if the theory regarding his true parentage comes to life. 

Whichever way this shakes down, fans should be hyped to see where Jon Snow goes in season six. The possibilities are endlessly fun to speculate.

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NOW WATCH: 'Game of Thrones' is even more shocking when you realize how young these characters are

When George R.R. Martin published "A Game of Thrones" nearly 20 years ago, the humble author had no way of knowing the monster he created. Now Martin has gained millions of fans, all of whom are dying to learn the fates of their favorite characters.

"The Winds of Winter"— Martin's sixth book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series — has been in the works since 2010, but there's no official release date yet. To pass the time, fans binge-watch the show or re-read the books earnestly looking for anything they may have missed.

And boy do they dig deep. Some theories are highly plausible (like "R+L=J") but others are downright ludicrous. More than anything, the ideas prove fans are getting desperate for discussion topics.

We've gathered some of the most entertaining fan theories out there. As we wait anxiously for news of "The Winds of Winter," let us relish in the ridiculousness presented by the fans who leave no stone un-turned.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including major speculation for both the books and show.

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Roose Bolton is an eternal skin-changer.

This theory can be found on Reddit and YouTube, both of which have thorough explanations. The idea is straightforward enough: Roose Bolton is an immortal creature who magically wears the skin of others in order to continuously rule over House Bolton. 

Did we lose you? 

Let's back up. Roose Bolton is the father of Ramsay Bolton, and the lord of the Dreadfort. He's best known for his brutal betrayal of Robb Stark, having orchestrated the Red Wedding along with the Lannisters. Several minor descriptors of him (appears ageless and has "ice chips" for eyes) have led to this somewhat insane idea that Roose is an immortal humanoid. Some say vampire, others say he's a descendant of the White Walkers. 

The sigil of House Bolton is a flayed man. According to the theory, Roose skins men (typically his offspring with similar colored eyes) and takes on their identity using some kind of blood magic. Many have come to refer to this as the Bolt-On theory — which suggests he "bolts on" the skin of others. 

Fans point to the Faceless Men (assassins who literally wear the faces of strangers as a disguise) for precedence. 

The Lannister kitten Ser Pounce is Azor Ahai.

Popular "Game of Thrones"YouTuber Alt Shift X made a seven-minute-long video showcasing how Tommen Baratheon's cat Ser Pounce could be the hero of the series. The prophesied hero Azor Ahai (also referred to as the "prince that was promised") is thought to be the main person who will save the realm from the White Walkers and restore justice in the world.

Fans have picked apart this prophecy, guessing it could be Daenerys, Jon Snow,or even Jaime Lannister. But this analysis takes the cake. Alt Shift X is perfectly self-aware of the ridiculousness of it all, but that doesn't stop him from breaking down context clues and laying out every possible clue tying Ser Pounce to Azor Ahai. 

Starting with the kitten's potential parentage, and leading into timelines of his birth and ability to wield a tiny Valyrian steel dagger, the theory is both adorable and entertaining.

It's worth the watch. 

The High Septon is actually Howland Reed.

The current High Septon (also called High Sparrow) is an unconventional leader, to say the least. He seems determined to bring down Cersei Lannister's corrupt reign and restore justice to the lands of Westeros. Some fans believe there must be more to this man than meets the eye, but others think he may in fact be someone else entirely.

Enter: Howland Reed. Book readers know Howland as one of Ned Stark's closest friends and allies, and the leader of House Reed. Howland has yet to be seen in the show, but we've met his children Meera and Jojen (they accompanied Bran and Hodor north of the the Wall). 

The theory assumes Howland would want revenge on the Lannisters — Cersei, to be specific — for executing Ned and betraying the realm. However, it's quite extreme to think Howland would have laid in wait for nearly two decades, only to emerge in the elaborate disguise of a humble priest with a cult following. 

The evidence is thin — resting on a few similar descriptors between the High Sparrow and Meera Reed and other vague context clues. Both the High Sparrow and Meera are described as small and thin, with their hair knotted in a bun.

The most compelling part of this is the idea that someone in a very powerful position is a Stark loyalist. Howland Reed is also assumed to know Jon Snow's true parentage, and being High Septon would make it easy to reveal Jon's claim to the throne without backlash. For full details, watch Alt Shift X's video on the theory.

Warning: There are spoilers ahead if you're not caught up with "Game of Thrones." 

HBO just released an ominous first teaser poster for "Game of Thrones" season six, and it's doing exactly what the network wants — to get fans talking about the show's biggest mystery once : Is Jon Snow alive or dead?

At the end of season 5, Jon Snow was left for dead after a mutinous attack by his Night’s Watch brothers. Since then, fans have been in an inescapable debate of whether or not Jon Snow has been permanently killed off the HBO series.

Many of those working on the show, from producers to actors to the president of HBO programming himself, have insisted he’s dead and never coming back. 

But die hard fans refuse to believe the claim.

Theories of Jon's survival have been circulating ever since 2011, when the last book, “A Dance With Dragons," was released. When the show finally caught up to the books in season five, TV viewers joined in with wild speculation. We wrote up a lengthy overview explaining theories of how Snow could still be alive right after the season five finale. The short of the argument is that Melisandre, the red priestess, will probably revive Jon through a fire-magic ritual that has precedent in the series.

But at this point, fans are looking beyond the books for clues. Instead, they’ve turned to denouncing every statement and action made by those involved with the show’s production. These are the top six reasons fans are refusing to believe Jon Snow is totally dead. 

1. The semantics game

When asked plainly if Harington was released from his contract, showrunner Dan Weiss told Entertainment Weekly: “Dead is dead.”  The director of the finale episode, David Nutter, also told President Obama himself "Jon Snow is deader than dead." 

The latest insistence came from HBO programming president Michael Lombardo. “Dead is dead as dead as dead. He be dead. Yes. From everything I’ve seen, heard, read, Jon Snow is indeed dead,” he said.

This may have dispelled casual watchers from believing the hype, but the zealots have continued to brush these off as lame cover-up attempts. When you look at these quotes back to back, it's almost comical how intent everyone is on using the words "dead" and "Jon Snow" in the same sentence. 

This brings us to the semantics-based argument that devoted followers have begun circulating.

Sure. Jon Snow may very well be dead. BUT, he's most likely going to be resurrected or reborn next season. Technically, HBO can put word out there that he's "dead" without being deceptive. 

Because, really, what else would HBO representatives say? “Well, you’ve figured it out! You’re right, he’s totally coming back.” Of course not. They have to try and maintain some semblance of mystery, however thinly veiled.

Just minutes after the season five finale, Entertainment Weekly ran an interview with Kit Harington, the actor who plays Jon Snow. When asked about the possibility that his character might not truly be dead, Harington was adamant. “They said, ‘Look, you’re gone, it’s done.’ If anything in the future is not like that, then I don’t know about it – it’s only in David and Dan and George’s heads. But I’ve been told I’m dead. I’m dead. I’m not coming back next season.”

Blowing right past the insistence that he is dead, readers latched onto the technicality of that last sentence. So Harington isn’t coming back next season. Does that mean he may come back the season after that? Some fans think so.

If anything, Harington's comments just put internet detectives on alert for potential news of his appearance on set for the next season. "Game of Thrones" works on a tight schedule. Just weeks after the season five conclusion, actors and crew members began assembling in one of the set locations, Belfast. 

2. #HairWatch is in full effect

Harington's precise location isn't the only detail that fans are obsessing over. The length of his hair has become a focal point of many believers. 

In December 2014, The Independent reported Kit Harington regretted being contractually obligated to keep his hair long for the role of Jon Snow. Harington said he planned to "cut it off quite soon. As soon as I'm allowed." If he truly isn't returning as Jon, and has fulfilled the HBO contract, surely he'll turn up with short hair. And yet, week after week, every photo snapped of Harington shows those long locks intact.

Above is a photo taken in early July, when Harington attended Wimbledon and created a hair-related frenzy of speculation. 

Each one of his appearances in Belfast has inspired fans to reassure their co-conspirators that his hair has undergone no changes.

3. A "quite spectacular" slip

Carice Van Houten, the actress who plays Melisandre and Jon Snow's would-be savior, said in an interview after the finale aired "you feel that [Melisandre] is concentrating more and more towards Jon Snow … there are slight hints that something’s going to happen." These words had a much more dramatic implication coming after Harington's statements regarding the finality of his death. 

Van Houten also teased that something "quite spectacular" was in the works for next season, but she wasn't able to elaborate. 

It feels as though Van Houten is referring to the hints fans have grabbed onto as a basis for their theories that Melisandre will be involved with Jon's return from the dead. One commenter pointed out, "She's not being terribly subtle."

4. The telling history of San Diego Comic-Con 

The final clue that fans have focused on came from the highly-anticipated "Game of Thrones" panel during the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con. These panels often feature both of the show's creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, as well as several prominent cast members who were killed off in the most recent season.

In 2013, the panel included Michelle Farley and Richard Madden; the actors who played Catelyn and Robb Stark, respectively. Their deaths at the Red Wedding massacre in season 3 were among the most shocking and game-changing of the entire series. 

Then, in 2014, the fan favorites Rose Leslie (Ygritte) and Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell) were also present at Comic-Con. Ygritte was Jon Snow's love interest, and had been killed during a battle at the Wall. Oberyn Martell had an iconic death against the Mountain. Both were on hand for the "Game of Thrones" panel to answer questions about their experiences on the show.

When the 2015 panel participants were announced, dedicated followers immediately noticed three major absences. Both show creators AND Kit Harington were missing from the line-up. This sparked plenty of conversation around the logic behind this decision, and whether it was a clear move on HBO's part to avoid direct questioning about Jon from fans.

5. The incomplete "In Memoriam" toy collection

Mid-July, HBO announced a new collections of "Game of Thrones" character merchandise. The group of toys was dubbed: "Honor the Fallen: Game of Thrones™ In Memoriam." The tribute includes the likes of Stannis Baratheon, Oberyn Martell, and Ned Stark.

Jon Snow was noticeably absent from the set. 

More conspiracy conversations were sparked from this HBO announcement. Since many iconic characters were included, why not Jon? Perhaps it's because his death is not as permanent as the those who were included.

6. Snow has been spotted on set

Popular "Game of Thrones" news community Watchers on the Wall has reported multiple sightings of Harington among cast members in Northern Ireland. They referred to Jon's return as "the worst-kept secret in Game of Thrones land."

The argument can be made that he is merely on set to film a funeral scene, but this isn't entirely convincing for one reason: Back in September, Harington was spotted on the show's set in Northern Ireland — and it was no funeral being filmed. 

Watchers on the Wall claims Harington was seen filming a big fight, one where he may be leading Northern armies against the Bolton family.

As of November 16, the site reports there is a scene being filmed between Snow, his sister Sansa, Ramsay, and Littlefinger.

The fact remains that, as far as anyone has been informed, only three individuals actually know whether Jon Snow is alive or dead. The author of the book series, George R.R. Martin, and the two creators of the HBO series David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Martin has reportedly told Benioff and Weiss how the series ends, which means they should know Jon Snow’s true fate.

Until the series returns — or author George R.R. Martin publishes the sixth book, “The Winds of Winter” — dedicated followers of both the book series and the show are stuck in an frustrating but hope-filled purgatory. 

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NOW WATCH: What really happened to Jon Snow in 'Game of Thrones'?

There's a disturbance in the force, but this time it's coming from scientists.

Disney's new "Star Wars" movie, "The Force Awakens," picks up years beyond where the last film in the series, "Return of the Jedi," left off: after the cataclysmic explosion of Death Star II, a moon-size weapon.

The colossal ship orbited the forest world Endor and, after it blows up, the Rebel Alliance and its hairy Ewok friends party in the trees. Everyone and everything is hunky-dory.

Until you ask a physicist — or a dozen, as Tech Insider did — what happens when you detonate a giant metal sphere above a lush green world. The answer is downright chilling.

"The Ewoks are dead. All of them," said one researcher and self-professed "Star Wars" fan, who wrote a white paper exclusively for Tech Insider.

Each scientist who responded to our emails quibbled over the exact details, yet a strong consensus emerged in support of a popular fan theory: The "Endor Holocaust" is inevitable, and a threat to the plausibility of any future movies (galactic bankruptcy be damned).

Here's why.

The "Endor Holocaust" fan theory dates back to 1997, when it first appeared on a website called TheForce.net.

Source: TheForce.net

Curtis Saxton, an astrophysicist and "Star Wars" super-fan, wrote it as part of a technical series that analyzes the movies frame-by-frame with scientific rigor.

Source: TheForce.net

Saxon's 10,000-word essay about the Endor holocaust claims that the doom of Endor and the Ewoks who live there "is an inevitable consequence of observable facts."

Source: TheForce.net

Of all the new "Star Wars" characters to emerge out of "The Force Awakens," Rey (Daisy Ridley) was by far the breakout.

There are still a lot of mysteries surrounding her, and fans have been working hard to try and figure out who she really is and where she came from. 

Now, three major theories have emerged.

Some people think she is the daughter of Luke Skywalker. Others think she is Han Solo and Leia's child, which would make her Kylo Ren's sister. Finally, a new theory has emerged claiming that she is Obi-Wan Kenobi's granddaughter.

We won't know for sure until "Episode VIII" is released in 2017. For now, all we have is this tiny hint from the Lucasfilm CEO, who said that the new trilogy is still fundamentally "the Skywalker family saga."

Story by Ian Phillips and editing by Jeremy Dreyfuss

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SEE ALSO: Jennifer Lawrence has one thing in common with the self-made millionaire she plays in her new movie

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"Star Wars: Episode IX" director Colin Trevorrow has seen your Rey theories. 

After rabid online debates about who the lead female protagonist of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" could be, the "Jurassic World" director is shedding some light on one of the film's biggest questions. Is Rey a Skywalker? A Solo? A Kenobi?

His answer may have you thinking she's none of the above.

"We're going to make sure that that answer is deeply and profoundly satisfying," Trevorrow told Entertainment Tonight. "Rey is a character that is important in this universe, not just in the context of The Force Awakens, but in the entire galaxy. She deserves it. We'll make sure that that answer is something that feels like it was something that happened a long time ago, far away, and we're just telling you what happened."

While Trevorrow wouldn't confirm or deny any specific theory, he said it's important that the mystery behind Rey's identity fit not just into "Episode IX" or the sequel trilogy that "The Force Awakens" kicked off, but the "Star Wars" saga as a whole.

"By the time we get to Episode IX, I look at that movie as one movie, as three movies, as six movies, and as nine movies," he explained. "It’s something that needs to honor a story that has been told over a period of 40 years… Star Wars is a belief system, it’s not just a story and it’s not just a movie, and it’s something I take very seriously." 

Trevorrow says he wants to capture a specific feeling for the audience when Rey's Jedi connection is explained. "Rey is a character that is important in this universe, not just in the context of  'The Force Awakens,' but in the entire galaxy," he said. "She deserves it. We'll make sure that that answer is something that feels like it was something that happened a long time ago, far away, and we're just telling you what happened."

Trevorrow's response seems to tease an "Episode IX" reveal for Rey's history instead of Episode "VIII." But since he wants fans to feel like the answer is connected with all of the "Star Wars" films, could that mean there are already hints about Rey's identity in "The Force Awakens" or earlier films?

We'll see when "Star Wars" hits in 2019. 

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NOW WATCH: Everyone is obsessed with these 2 ‘Star Wars’ theories about the movie’s deepest mystery

At least one man out there knows which — if any — theory about Rey may be correct.

"The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams revealed during the Television Critics Association's winter press tour he knows some secrets behind the film's mysterious female lead.

“I know quite a bit,"Abrams said.

Unfortunately, Abrams wouldn't reveal specific details as a courtesy to "Episode VIII" director, Rian Johnson. 

"Obviously it’s not for me to talk about in this moment because this is Rian’s story to continue now," continued Abrams. "The last thing I’m going to do is reveal something that he would be upset about. I want to make sure that Rian gets the courtesy that he showed me.”

Since the film's December 18 release, fans have come up with many theories about the source of Rey's Jedi powers. "Episode IX" director Colin Trevorrow teased a "deeply and profoundly satisfying" revelation in upcoming films.

While Abrams won't direct either Episode VIII or Episode IX, he's still excited for to see the film as a "Star Wars" fan himself. 

“My enthusiasm for Episode VIII is enormous,” he said. “I’m very much excited for and very jealous of anyone, especially Rian, who gets to work so closely with this extraordinary cast and crew, truly an amazing group. In that regard for sure, but I’m also relieved to have gotten a chance to do a Star Wars movie.”

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" is coming to theaters May 26, 2017, while "Episode IX" is coming sometime in 2019. 

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NOW WATCH: Everyone is obsessed with these 2 ‘Star Wars’ theories about the movie’s deepest mystery

One of the most persistent theories in the Star Wars universe may have some grounding in reality. We asked Astrophysicist Dave Minton about the 'Endor Holocaust', the fan theory that the exploding Death Star would have annihilated the moon forest of Endor at the end of 'Return of the Jedi'. It turns out to be far worse than anyone expected.

Produced by Corey Protin and Rob Ludacer

Original Reporting by Dave Mosher

Graphics by Skye Gould

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There's a theory going around the internet right now that connects the fictional worlds of Disney's "Aladdin" with "Beauty and the Beast"— but it might not be all it's cracked up to be. 

First, here's a look at the Tumblr post that inspired the theory.

In case you're foggy on "Beauty and the Beast," the Tumblr post includes screenshots from the film's opening song, "Little Town." In the song, Belle pays a visit to the bookstore and discusses her favorite book with the shopkeeper. 

"Far off places, daring sword fights, magic spells...a prince in disguise," Belle says to the shopkeeper, summarizing the plot of the book. 

According to the Tumblr post, Belle could possibly be hinting at the plot of "Aladdin," which when "Beauty and the Beast" hit theaters in 1991, was still a year away from it's debut. Set in the fictional city of Agrabah and complete with fight scenes and a genie, "Aladdin" definitely includes some of the plot points Belle mentions. 

"Here's where she meets Prince Charming, but she won’t discover that it's him 'til chapter three," Belle also sings, furthering the "Aladdin" and "Beauty and the Beast" connection, since Princess Jasmine falls in love with Aladdin under the misinformed idea that he is a prince. Refinery 29 points out the lyric could also be a hint about the release date for "Aladdin," as the two films were released exactly one year and three days apart. (It's a bit of a stretch.)

While it's certainly a fun theory, it's more likely that Belle is foretelling her own love story with the Beast, rather than dropping spoilers about another film. The "chapter three" love discovery of a "prince in disguise" Belle sings about is probably her own, after she falls in love with the Beast, despite her initial misgivings.

And that "far off place"? Most likely the Beast's castle, where Belle is kept locked up, far away from her beloved father and home. Gaston ensures plenty of fight scenes in the film and since everyone in the castle is under an enchantment, there's also plenty of magic.  

But don't take our word for it. Be our guest and watch the song here and decide for yourself. 

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NOW WATCH: Disney has 13 movies coming out in 2016 — here’s what you have to look forward to

Warning: Major spoilers for "Game of Thrones" ahead, included season six set leaks and rumors. 

While counting down the weeks to the season six premiere of "Game of Thrones," fans are swapping theories and rumors with more fervor than ever. The hot topic is usually Jon Snow, but anyone who has been following set leaks and theories knows he is likely returning.

Assuming Jon will be up and about during season six, the next big question comes to mind: What will his next move be? 

Last chance to stop reading unless you want major spoilers for the upcoming season.

Fan sites Watchers on the Wall and Winter is Coming have been publishing reports of a major battlebeing filmed in Northern Ireland for season six. The set photos leaked show a big event in the North, with war banners from significant northern houses on the battlefield. House Umber, House Mormont, and House Bolton sigils were all spotted.

Add the photo of Jon Snow (Kit Harington) on set, dressed in Stark armor, and it looks like a pretty epic showdown will take place in season six. 

Jon Snow would be facing off against Ramsay Bolton (formerly Ramsay Snow), something that doesn't sound out of the ordinary since Stannis planted the idea for Jon to reclaim the North in season five.

Referencing the two men's bastard origins, fans are calling the scene either The Battle of the Bastards or Snowbowl.

The term Snowbowl has origins in another theory called Cleganebowl — the hope that brother Sandor and Gregor Clegane (The Hound and The Mountain) will battle to the death in season six. Fans are clearly fond of naming theories after the last names of the characters involved.

Both of the "bowl" theories have a very specific set of believers. Those who subscribe to both Cleganebowl and Snowbowl frequently use the all-caps phrase "GET HYPE." They have their own subreddits, and some even go so far as to make borderline-insane YouTube videos set to crazy dubstep and rap music with lots of crazy graphics. 

The Snowbowl video made by user GetHYPE features characters' heads replaced with images of Adolf Hitler, lots of marijuana paraphernalia references, and airhorns galore. Currently over 40,000 people have watched it.

Take a look, but we're warning you, this is NSFW:

Our personal favorite part of this video is when a quote from Emilia Clarke — who plays Daenerys Targaryen — is used. In an interview, she said there's probably a "50/50" chance Jon Snow will be back.

YouTuber GetHYPE re-purposed the quote with ironclad logic: "50 + 50 = 100% confirmed."

Another gem moment is when the video suddenly lights up with a trippy psychedelic image of Jon Snow's face, surrounded by text in Comic Sans. There's also what looks Melisandre with a face tattoo (reading "Lord of Light") sailing through the screen, while mini versions of the Stark's direwolf sigil pop up one by one on the screen. 

Insanity of the theory's believers aside, the Snowbowl looks like it really will happen in the upcoming season of "Game of Thrones." The first episode premieres Sunday, April 24. Get hyped. 

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NOW WATCH: Why Bran Stark will play a huge role next season on ‘Game of Thrones'

HBO surprised fans with a full trailer for "Game of Thrones" season six Thursday afternoon.

While fans are freaking out about the fate of Jon Snow and other hints about the new season, there are two quick shots of footage you may have overlooked that hint at a huge flashback sequence for the next season. the two scenes may confirm one of the biggest "Game of Thrones" theories fans have been hoping to see play out for years. 

Last chance to head back before potential spoilers for "Game of Thrones" season six!

More than halfway through the trailer we see these two shots:

It looks like a simple set up for a battle scene, right? 

Take a closer look.

See that insignia on the armor, here?

That's the House Targaryen sigil: a three-headed dragon. There aren't any modern Targaryen soldiers in the world of Westeros, and a Stark soldier hasn't come up against a man from House Targaryen, so this must be a flashback. 

For those who have watched the show this may not mean much; however, book readers will recognize these two scenes are most likely hinting at a popular fan theory known as "R+L=J," which centers around Jon Snow's parentage.

The theory asserts that Jon Snow isn't the bastard son of Ned Stark. Instead, he's the son of Ned's sister Lyanna and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen (hence the whole R+L=J equation). 

So what do those two images have to do with R+L=J?

In the book "A Game of Thrones," Ned Stark has a significant dream. A dream "of three knights in white cloaks, and a tower long fallen, and Lyanna in her bed of blood."

The knights in white cloaks are three members of the Kingsguard who are sworn to protect either the ruling king or his family. At the time of this memory, the Kingsguard are loyal to either Rhaegar or Aerys Targaryen who were both slain during Robert's Rebellion. So why are the three kingsguard men at this mysterious tower, after the battle is over?

This is where "R + L = J" comes into play. We know from Ned's memory that Lyanna Stark is inside the tower, dying in her "bed of blood." Ned has come for her, but the Kingsguard are protecting the tower and won't let Ned through. Fans believe Lyanna's "bed of blood" means she's giving birth to a child — and it's going badly. The Kingsguard are most likely there to protect the child of Rhaegar and Lyanna. That child is presumed to be Jon Snow (dun dun dun!).

Ned did not come alone on his rescue mission. Ned brings six friends, and they fight fiercely against the three kingsguard in order to get into the tower.

That's who we believe we're seeing here in this image from the new trailer. 

In the books, Ned remembers the fight: "As they came together in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. 'Eddard!' she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as blue as the eyes of death." Then, Ned remembers Lyanna begging him to promise something to her, over and over, before dying. 

The "R + L = J" believers think this "promise" Ned made was a vow to protect Jon. Robert Baratheon would not have allowed Jon — the son of Rhaegar and his former-betrothed Lyanna — to live. Not only would that make Jon part Targaryen, the family Robert hates with a passion, but it could also mean Jon has a claim to the throne. 

Depending on whether or not Jon was legitimized through marriage or royal decree, he could technically be the heir to the Iron Throne. 

So why does all this matter?

The appearance of this flashback in season six has major implications. First, it means we could finally learn about Jon's true parentage — a mystery to both book readers and show watchers alike. Most fans accept the "R + L = J" theory as fact, but getting official confirmation will be a huge moment for the fandom.

Secondly, people believe the addition of this flashback means more security in the belief that Jon will be resurrected. What is the point of revealing the parents of a dead man? We believe this flashback will be a part of Jon's overall story arc this season, including his return to life. 

The flashback will most likely happen from the point of view of Bran and Bloodraven having a greensight vision into the past. If Bran learns the truth about Jon's parents, he may be able to find a way of communicating that to Jon or someone else who can tell Jon. Then, Jon can arise as Jon Stark (Starkgaryen? Targstark? Stargarysnow?) and continue being the protagonist, good-guy fans have come to love.

Get hype, because season six is about to blow minds.

Season six premieres on Sunday, April 24. 

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NOW WATCH: Why Bran Stark will play a huge role next season on ‘Game of Thrones'

Warning: Do not read ahead if you want to avoid spoilers for "Game of Thrones" season six, as well as speculation about upcoming plot lines.

"Game of Thrones" is set to return to HBO on Sunday, April 24. Based on set leaks, casting calls, and context from the book series, we've been able to piece together several major storylines that will be featured in the upcoming season. 

From Jon Snow's debated return, to old characters resurfacing, season six is bound to be a doozy. The full-length trailer should be enough to get any fan hyped beyond measure.

This post is full of spoilers, so only read on if you want to learn what your favorite characters will be up to in season six. Scroll down to see what's in store for season six of "Game of Thrones."

Jon Snow's return is looking very likely, if not totally confirmed.

The season five finale showed Jon Snow being brutally stabbed and left to bleed out. Though the trailer has revealed he really is dead, many fans are fiercely positive he will be resurrected and somehow live on. 

The strongest theory out there is that we'll see Melisandre, the red priestess, resurrect Jon using blood magic. It fits that her character conveniently arrived at the Wall the same day Jon was attacked, something that isn't engineered in the book plot. Not to mention, the trailer seems to indicate Melisandre and Davos will be teaming up in order to protect Jon's body.

Kit Harington, who plays Jon on the show, has been seenmultipletimes in Belfast, where filming for the Wall and Winterfell primarily takes place. The biggest indicator he'll be back back comes from major set leaks appearing to show Snow on set for a huge battle later on in season six. 

Melisandre at the Wall, with or without Jon Snow, is going to get interesting.

Up until now, Melisandre had been operating under the assumption Stannis Baratheon was a prophesied hero called Azor Ahai, marked by the Lord of Light as special.

But Stannis turned out to be a mere mortal, vulnerable and unprotected by any god, and he was killed by Brienne of Tarth in the finale. Fans speculated Stannis's death was a fake-out in the finale, but the director of the episode stated clearly that Stannis was killed. There has been no evidence to the contrary, unlike with Jon Snow.

So Melisandre is without a leader to serve, and she recently burned Shireen, a beloved young girl, alive in front of thousands of men in the name of her Lord of Light. She is at the Wall with Davos Seaworth, Stannis's loyal follower and one of the most moral men in Westeros.

Will season six bring a resolution between these two? Can Melisandre's fire-magic be used in the war against the Others?

In an interview with The New Daily after the season five finale aired, Carice Van Houten, the actress who plays Melisandre, said that "you feel that [Melisandre] is concentrating more and more towards Jon Snow … there are slight hints that something's going to happen."

Season six might be the time when Melisandre realizes her prophesied hero was really Jon Snow all along. 

There will be a great Northern battle that is most likely between Ramsay Bolton and Jon Snow.

In the trailer, Melisandre says: "The great victory I saw in the flames, all of it was a lie." She saw visions in the fire, visions of Winterfell being taken by a great army and the Bolton banners falling. Melisandre misinterpreted this to mean Stannis's victory, when it was probably Jon Snow's.

Combining set leaks, behind-the-scenes footage, and snippets from the full trailer, fans know there is a major northern battle taking place this season.

Called the Battle of the Bastards at Winterfell by fans, The Boltons will be fighting against northern houses and the wildlings. Kit Harington (Jon Snow) was photographed on set wearing Stark armor, so it's safe to assume he'll be on the battlefield. 

The trailer sighting of Tormund and other wildlings at the battle is what really sealed the deal for us. There's no way wildlings would fight for any "southerner" but Jon. 

So what else is going on in the north?

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones," including speculation of events in season six.

With season six around the corner, "Game of Thrones" actor Liam Cunningham is making waves after dropping some major hints about what's in store for his character, Ser Davos Seaworth. At the end of season five, Davos was at the Wall with Jon and Melisandre, stunned by the news that both Stannis and Shireen were dead. With Jon Snow's assassination in the final shot, fans were curious to know what Davos's reaction would be.

When the full-length trailer was released March 8, fans understandably went nuts for the final shot in the sequence: Davos is standing near Jon Snow's dead body, in a room full of men with drawn swords. Based on context clues and existing fan theories, our best guess is that Davos will team up with Melisandre to somehow resurrect Jon using the red priestess's fire magic.

In an interview with TVLine's Kimberly Roots, Cunningham may have just confirmed our theory.

When asked about a potential alliance between Melisandre and Davos, Cunningham had a telling response: "For two people who have an abhorrent dislike of each other, they’re both in the same boat. We both lost Stannis. We both lost our reason for being in the show. Also, both of us have found ourselves leaning towards Jon Snow."

The actress who plays Melisandre, Carice Van Houten, has said something similar in the months since season five concluded. 

"You feel that [Melisandre] is concentrating more and more towards Jon Snow … there are slight hints that something’s going to happen," Van Houten said in an interview with The New Daily.

Now that Stannis is confirmed dead, it makes sense for both Davos and Melisandre to be looking at Jon Snow as their new focus. Melisandre believed Stannis was Azor Ahai, the hero reborn and destined to save the realm. Davos truly thought Stannis was the rightful king of Westeros. Perhaps, now, they will both realize Jon was the right man all along.

"[Jon’s] the real deal. He’s a good guy," Cunningham said to TVLine. "He’s definitely got leadership qualities, and he has a heroic and charismatic quality to him. Davos will obviously be drawn to that kind of character."

Now, back to the epic trailer shot (a moment Cunningham refers to as the "mic drop"). Davos is heard saying "I've never been much of a fighter" as he grabs Jon's sword, Longclaw. 

Then he turns to a group of men in the room, all dressed in black — members of the Night's Watch.  "Apologies for what you're about to see," Davos says, and then he unsheathes Longclaw and the men around him draw their swords. 

Jon's body is lying on a table in the middle of them. Ghost is standing near Jon, facing Davos with his fur on end. He looks ready to attack something. 

On first look, it would appear that Davos is about to fight the men in the room. We don't recognize any of them as established characters who are loyal to Jon. But Davos's phrasing gives pause. Why apologize to men you're about to try and kill? 

Cunningham addressed this question in his TVLine interview. "Well, if you think about this logically ... Where we leave [season five], with Jon being dead, there’s still a few of his loyal people around that certain parties in Castle Black are not going to want to have around." From the sound of it, the men inside the room are not Davos's enemies. They're Jon-loyalist. Which means the "certain parties" Cunningham refers to are probably Alliser Thorne and his group of mutineers. 

"There’s a threat implicit ... I’m obviously in some way about to defend or attack or whatever it may be," he said. "It’s evidently still Castle Black, Ghost’s there. So there is a certain threat there, but who it comes from would be remiss of me to inform you."

Well, we have a good guess. In the trailer, before the scene with Davos and Jon's body, we actually get a shot of Alliser and some men trying to break down a door with an axe:

We believe Davos and Jon's body are on the other side of that door, and the men inside are helping defend it from Alliser's reach. Cunningham's hints support this idea. 

So Davos has locked himself in the room with Jon's body, Ghost, and a group of loyal Night's Watch men. We'd bet money that Melisandre is in the room as well. The running fan theory is that Melisandre will resurrect Jon using a type of fire magic we've seen on the show before. Thoros of Myr, another priest of the Lord of Light, successfully resurrected a man named Beric Dondarrion more than five times. Melisandre met these men in season two, so we know she's aware of the possibility. 

Davos and company are probably standing guard, giving Melisandre enough time to work her magic (literally) with Jon's body. Fans have reason to believe the plan will work. Kit Harington was spotted on set in Northern Ireland wearing Stark armor and participating in filming for a major season six battle scene. Odds are Jon comes back to life, abandons the Night's Watch, and takes on the Boltons to reclaim Winterfell as a Stark. 

Season six premieres on April 24 — tune in to see if our theories pan out.

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NOW WATCH: This popular 'Game of Thrones' fan theory could come true in the next season

The season six premiere of "Game of Thrones" is just around the corner, and fans are more intent than ever before on uncovering the fates of their favorite characters. This means trolling Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to see what the actors involved in the series are saying about the new season. 

Redditor Varixai spotted a conspicuous Instagram post from Icelandic strongman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson — the actor who plays Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane. Take a look:

The drawing shows a fierce fight between Gregor Clegane and his younger brother, Sandor — a man better known as The Hound. Björnsson has played the large and freakishly strong Gregor Clegane for the last two seasons of the show. The Instagram photo he reposted is a piece of fan art created by Turkish illustrator Ertaç Altınöz in collaboration with "Game of Thrones" superfan Calvin M. Green.

"Who would wanna see this fight happen??" Björnsson asked in the caption of his Instagram post.

Uh, just about everyone, Mr. Björnsson. 

There is an epic fan theory known as "Cleganebowl" which postulates that The Mountain and The Hound are going to fight to the death in a trial by combat. Everything hinges on two key elements: The Mountain (who returned at the end of season five as a mute zombie member of the kingsguard) representing Cersei in a trial by combat, and The Hound returning to fight against him on behalf of the Faith.

Based on massive spoilers dropped by actor Ian McShane, we know at least part of the theory is actually happening in season six. McShane confirmed that his character in season six is responsible for bringing back The Hound. 

So all that's missing is the actual trial by combat scenario, and the two brothers being named as champions. Björnsson's Instagram post may be a cryptic hint from the actor, since he would have already filmed the sequence if it's happening in season six. 

This isn't the first time fans have gone bananas over a "Game of Thrones" actor's Instagram posts. Previously, Lena Headey, who plays Cersei Lannister, posted an Instagram picture of rocks laid out in the shape of a heart. This was right before the season four finale aired, and fans immediately took the image to mean we were about to see a major book character: Lady Stoneheart.

In the books, Catelyn Stark is resurrected and assumes the name of Lady Stoneheart before going on revenge killing spree against the Boltons and Freys. Catelyn was killed off at the end of season three, so fans were anticipating her return in season four when Headey posted the Instagram picture. Unfortunately, seasons four and five came and went with no Lady Stoneheart. 

We'll have to wait and see if Björnsson will join Headey in disappointing the fandom, but our money is on the full Cleganebowl event unfolding in season six.

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NOW WATCH: This popular 'Game of Thrones' fan theory could come true in the next season

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones."

The total character death count in "Game of Thrones" is shockingly high, and that number will only get bigger as we head into the show's sixth season. Certain characters, like the season six hot topic Jon Snow, have many fans who firmly believe they'll be alive and well. Actress Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) actually spilled the beans, and confirmed she survives the season. But there are several men and women of Westeros that we're pretty sure will get the axe soon.

Scroll down to read more about their pending doom.

Balon Greyjoy's days are definitely numbered.

Back in season two, Melisandre had Stannis burn leeches filled with Gendry's blood and say the names of every "false king" he wanted dead: Joffrey, Robb, and Balon. Within the next two seasons, both Joffrey Baratheon and Robb Stark died, proving Melisandre's power to Stannis. But somehow Balon Greyjoy was forgotten over the years, but now he's back in season six. At least for a little while. 

We're pretty certain Balon's death is coming this season. He wasn't featured in the new trailer, but we did get a glimpse of his brother Euron. Based on events in the books, Euron's should assassinate Balon and try to take the Iron Islands for himself.

Jorah Mormont is a walking greyscale bomb.

Jorah the Explorer (as some fans call him) contracted the deadly disease of greyscale in season five. Based on our knowledge of the ailment, his survival would be basically impossible. Plus it feels like Jorah's character arc is coming to a close. He served Daenerys well as her advisor and friend, but that bond may have been broken beyond repair when she learned of his earlier betrayal. 

Knowing Jorah, he'll make some grand gesture or heroic act in the final days or moments of his life. We just hope he doesn't spread greyscale around too much before he dies.

Aliser Thorne chose the wrong guy to kill.

By leading the assassination plan against Jon Snow, Alliser Thorne put a big target on his own back. Our belief that Jon comes back to life aside, Alliser is in danger. Jon had plenty of enemies among the Night's Watch, but he also had some very loyal friends. Tormund is an angry wildling with a fierce belief in Jon, and he might come after Alliser for killing the Lord Commander. 

Plus, based on the trailer, it looks like Alliser is going up against Davos and a crew of Jon supporters. We're hoping his jowly-faced backstabbing days are numbered.