Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin has joined the production of an upcoming animated Hercules movie, marking his latest project outside of the long-awaited Winds of Winter. Martin will serve as a producer on the film, 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 script; that task falls to Joe R. Lansdale, known for his novel Bubba Ho-Tep, where Elvis battles an Egyptian mummy.
David Steward II, head of production company 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. 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 Winds of Winter, the next installment in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, the book still does not have a release date. It has been nearly 14 years since the release of A Dance with Dragons in July 2011. Martin plans for Winds of Winter to be followed by A Dream of Spring, concluding the series—a narrative arc the Game of Thrones TV show did not wait for, opting instead to forge its own ending.
While fans wait for the next book, Martin has been busy with various other projects. He has contributed to multiple Game of Thrones TV spin-offs, including the successful House of the Dragon, and has penned fictional historical novels set within the franchise's universe. Additionally, Martin has ventured into video games, writing the backstory for Elden Ring.
In a recent blog post dated April 7, 2025, Martin expressed frustration over constant speculation about Winds of Winter's release, stating, "I'm so tired of having to issue denials every time some offhand comment of mine, most having nothing to do with WINDS, somehow convinces half the internet that the book is imminent. It’s not. No."
Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images.
