George R.R. Martin, renowned for his epic fantasy series Game of Thrones, has taken on a new role as a producer for an upcoming animated film titled A Dozen Tough Jobs. This project reimagines the classic Greek myth of Hercules' 12 labors, set in the unique backdrop of 1920s Mississippi, narrated from a farmer's perspective. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Martin will not be involved in scripting the film; that task falls to Joe R. Lansdale, known for his quirky novel Bubba Ho-Tep, which features Elvis Presley battling an Egyptian mummy.
David Steward II, head of Lion Forge Entertainment, expressed excitement about Martin's involvement, stating, "If anyone understands the power of epic stories and expansive franchises, it's George R.R. Martin. 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."
While fans eagerly await The Winds of Winter, the next installment in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, there remains no set release date. It has been nearly 14 years since the release of A Dance with Dragons in July 2011. Martin has plans for a subsequent book, A Dream of Spring, to conclude the series, a narrative arc not fully explored in the Game of Thrones TV series, which concluded with mixed results.
In the meantime, Martin has been actively involved in various other projects. He has contributed to multiple Game of Thrones TV spin-offs, including the successful House of the Dragon, and has delved into the world of video games by writing backstory for Elden Ring.
Despite his busy schedule, Martin has shared updates on his blog, noting in September 2024 that television projects consumed much of his time in the first half of the year, delaying progress on The Winds of Winter. More recently, on April 7, 2025, Martin expressed frustration over repeated rumors about the book's imminent release, firmly stating, "It’s not. No."
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