George R.R. Martin Joins Animated Hercules Movie as Producer

Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin is expanding his creative horizons by joining the production team of an upcoming animated Hercules movie titled "A Dozen Tough Jobs." This film will offer a unique retelling of Hercules' 12 labors, set against the backdrop of 1920s Mississippi, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Martin will serve as a producer on this project, but the scriptwriting duties are assigned to Joe R. Lansdale, known for his quirky novel "Bubba Ho-Tep."

David Steward II, head of Lion Forge Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm 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 Martin's next book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, "The Winds of Winter," there remains no confirmed release date. It's been nearly 14 years since the last installment, "A Dance with Dragons," was published in July 2011. Martin has plans to follow "The Winds of Winter" with "A Dream of Spring," to conclude the series, a closure not provided by the Game of Thrones TV adaptation.

In the meantime, Martin has been involved in various other projects. These include multiple Game of Thrones TV spin-offs, such as the acclaimed "House of the Dragon," and historical novels set within the franchise's universe. Additionally, Martin has contributed to the video game industry by writing backstory for "Elden Ring."

In a recent update from his blog, Martin admitted that television projects consumed much of his time last year, hindering progress on "The Winds of Winter." He emphasized in an April 7, 2025 post that the book's release is not imminent, expressing frustration over constant speculation and rumors about its completion.

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