George R.R. Martin, renowned for his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, has ventured into a new creative realm by joining the production team of an upcoming animated film titled A Dozen Tough Jobs. This project, announced by The Hollywood Reporter, will reimagine the classic Greek myth of Hercules' 12 labors, but with a unique twist. The story will be narrated from the perspective of a farmer living in 1920s Mississippi, offering a fresh and culturally rich take on the timeless legend.
While Martin will serve as a producer on this innovative project, he will not be involved in scripting duties. Instead, the screenplay will be penned by Joe R. Lansdale, known for his quirky novel Bubba Ho-Tep, which features Elvis Presley battling an Egyptian mummy. David Steward II, the head of Lion Forge Entertainment, expressed his enthusiasm for Martin's involvement, citing the writer's deep understanding of epic storytelling and expansive franchises. Steward emphasized that A Dozen Tough Jobs aims to push the boundaries of myth into uncharted territory while remaining grounded in historical context.
Despite his engagement in this new venture, fans of Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series continue to eagerly await the release of The Winds of Winter. It has been nearly 14 years since the last installment, A Dance with Dragons, was published in July 2011. Martin has confirmed plans for The Winds of Winter to be followed by A Dream of Spring, which will conclude the series. However, the television adaptation of Game of Thrones did not wait for these books, opting instead to forge its own path with mixed results.
In the meantime, Martin has remained active in various other projects. He has contributed to multiple Game of Thrones TV spin-offs, including the acclaimed House of the Dragon, and has delved into the world of video games by writing backstory for Elden Ring. Despite these endeavors, Martin has admitted that his involvement in television projects has significantly impacted his progress on The Winds of Winter. In a recent blog post dated April 7, 2025, he expressed frustration over constant speculation about the book's imminent release, firmly stating that it is not forthcoming anytime soon.
Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images.
