Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin has taken on a new creative venture as producer for an upcoming animated Hercules movie, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Titled A Dozen Tough Jobs, the project will reimagine the Greek hero's legendary labors through the eyes of a 1920s Mississippi farmer. This marks Martin's latest project away from his unfinished A Song of Ice and Fire series.

A Mythical Reinvention

While Martin contributes his producing expertise, the screenplay will be handled by Joe R. Lansdale, known for his cult novel Bubba Ho-Tep featuring Elvis Presley battling an ancient mummy. Lion Forge Entertainment CEO David Steward II emphasized Martin's unique qualification for the project: "With his deep understanding of epic storytelling and world-building, George brings invaluable perspective to this fresh interpretation of Hercules' legend."

The 76-year-old author continues juggling multiple projects while fans await The Winds of Winter, the next installment in his fantasy saga that has seen a 14-year gap since the previous book's publication. Martin remains involved with HBO's House of the Dragon and other Westeros-related productions, having also contributed lore to FromSoftware's Elden Ring.

The Never-Ending Winter

In recent blog updates, Martin has openly addressed fan frustrations regarding the delayed novel. A February 2025 post clarified: "Television commitments consumed most of last year's creative energy." His April update was even more direct: "I'm exhausted from constantly denying false publication rumors. The book isn't coming soon."

This situation mirrors the television adaptation's conclusion, which outpaced Martin's writing and concluded the story without the final novels as source material. While Martin still intends to complete his seven-book vision with A Dream of Spring, his ongoing involvement in projects like A Dozen Tough Jobs suggests the wait may extend further.