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

George R.R. Martin, the acclaimed author behind the Game of Thrones series, has ventured into new territory by joining the production team of an upcoming animated movie titled A Dozen Tough Jobs. This film will offer a fresh take on the classic Greek myth of Hercules' 12 labors, uniquely narrated through the eyes of a farmer set in 1920s Mississippi. While Martin will serve as a producer, the screenplay duties have been assigned to Joe R. Lansdale, known for his eccentric work Bubba Ho-Tep.

David Steward II, head of Lion Forge Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about Martin's involvement, highlighting his understanding of expansive storytelling. "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," Steward remarked.

Despite his engagement in this new project, Martin's fans are still eagerly awaiting the release of The Winds of Winter, the next installment in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's been nearly 14 years since the last book, A Dance with Dragons, was published in July 2011. Martin plans to follow The Winds of Winter with A Dream of Spring, to conclude the saga—a storyline that the Game of Thrones TV series did not wait to explore.

While fans continue to anticipate 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 within the franchise's world. Additionally, Martin has explored the realm of video games, crafting the backstory for Elden Ring.

Martin recently shared on his blog that television projects consumed much of his time in the first half of 2024, further delaying progress on The Winds of Winter. In an April 7, 2025, post, he expressed frustration about constant speculations regarding the book's release, firmly stating, "It’s not. No."

Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images