George R.R. Martin Joins Animated Hercules Movie, Delaying Winds of Winter

Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin has joined the production team of an upcoming animated Hercules movie, marking another venture outside of his long-awaited book, The Winds of Winter. Martin will serve as a producer for the project, titled A Dozen Tough Jobs, which reimagines the classic Greek tale of Hercules' 12 labors from the perspective of a farmer in 1920s Mississippi. However, Martin will not be involved in writing the screenplay; that task falls 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, stating, "If anyone understands the power of epic stories and expansive franchises, it's George R.R. Martin." He further emphasized the innovative approach of A Dozen Tough Jobs, 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' eagerness for The Winds of Winter, the next installment in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, there is still no confirmed release date. It's been nearly 14 years since the last book, A Dance with Dragons, was released in July 2011. Martin, now 76, plans for The Winds of Winter to be followed by A Dream of Spring, concluding the series—a narrative path not taken by the Game of Thrones TV adaptation, which ended with mixed reviews.

While waiting for The Winds of Winter, Martin has remained active in various other projects. He has contributed to several Game of Thrones TV spin-offs, including the successful House of the Dragon, and has written fictional historical novels set in the franchise's world. Additionally, Martin has ventured into video games, crafting backstory for Elden Ring.

In September 2024, Martin admitted on his blog that his involvement in television projects consumed much of the first half of the previous year, hindering his progress on The Winds of Winter. In a more recent post dated April 7, 2025, he expressed frustration over constant speculation about the book's release, firmly stating, "It’s not. No."

Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images.