George R.R. Martin, the acclaimed author behind the Game of Thrones series, is expanding his creative horizons by joining the production team of an upcoming animated movie titled A Dozen Tough Jobs. This film, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, reimagines the classic Greek myth of Hercules' 12 labors, but with a unique twist: it will be narrated from the perspective of a farmer living in 1920s Mississippi.
While Martin will take on the role of producer, the screenplay duties are assigned to Joe R. Lansdale, known for his quirky novel Bubba Ho-Tep, where Elvis battles an Egyptian mummy. David Steward II, head of Lion Forge Entertainment, praised Martin's involvement, noting, "If anyone understands the power of epic stories and expansive franchises, it's George R.R. Martin." Steward emphasized the innovative approach of the film, saying, "With A Dozen Tough Jobs, we're reimagining a timeless legend through fresh, culturally rich lenses. This isn't just a retelling — it's a groundbreaking take, unlike anything audiences have seen before, grounded in history but pushing myth into uncharted territory."
Despite fans eagerly awaiting the next installment in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, there remains no confirmed release date. It has been nearly 14 years since the last book, A Dance with Dragons, was published in July 2011. Martin has plans to follow The Winds of Winter with A Dream of Spring, aiming to conclude the series, unlike the Game of Thrones TV adaptation which concluded without the final books.
In the meantime, Martin has been actively involved in other projects, including various Game of Thrones TV spin-offs like the successful House of the Dragon, and he has also contributed to the video game Elden Ring by writing its backstory.
Martin has been candid about the delays in his writing process, admitting in September 2024 that television projects consumed much of his time last year. In a blog post dated April 7, 2025, he expressed frustration over constant speculation about the imminent release of The Winds of Winter, stating firmly, "It’s not. No."
Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images.
