George R.R. Martin Joins Animated Hercules Film, Delays Winds of Winter

Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin is producing an animated Hercules film, diverting focus from the long-delayed Winds of Winter.

Martin will produce the project, titled A Dozen Tough Jobs, which reimagines Hercules’ 12 labors through the lens of a 1920s Mississippi farmer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

While Martin oversees production, the screenplay is penned by Joe R. Lansdale, known for his quirky novel Bubba Ho-Tep, featuring Elvis battling an Egyptian mummy.

“George R.R. Martin’s mastery of epic narratives makes him ideal for this,” said David Steward II, head of Lion Forge Entertainment.

“A Dozen Tough Jobs reinterprets a classic myth with a fresh, culturally vibrant perspective. It’s a bold, innovative take, rooted in history yet exploring new mythological ground.”

Winds of Winter, the next installment in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, still has no release date, nearly 14 years after A Dance with Dragons was published in July 2011.

The 76-year-old author plans for Winds of Winter to precede A Dream of Spring, the series’ final book, which the Game of Thrones TV adaptation famously outpaced with mixed success.

While fans wait, Martin remains active, contributing to Game of Thrones spin-offs like House of the Dragon and writing fictional histories within the franchise’s universe.

Martin also crafted backstory for the video game Elden Ring.

In September 2024, Martin revealed on his blog that television commitments consumed much of the previous year, halting his writing progress.

In an April 7, 2025 post, Martin expressed frustration over speculation, stating, “I’m tired of denying rumors every time a stray comment sparks talk of Winds being near. It’s not. Not yet.”