George R. R. Martin and Lion Forge to Produce Animated Feature ‘A Dozen Tough Jobs’ (Exclusive)

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According to The Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive report, George R.R. Martin has agreed to work with Lion Forge Entertainment on transforming Howard Waldrop’s novel, “A Dozen Tough Jobs,” into an adult animated movie titled the same.

Known writer is set to create a new take on the Greek legend, ‘The Twelve Labors of Hercules’, by setting it in 1920s Mississippi and portraying Hercules as a once enslaved sharecropper battling for his liberation, entitled ‘A Dozen Hard Jobs’.

This version maintains the original idea while making it more relatable to modern readers by placing the story in a different era and context.

The film is additionally being produced by Martin, the CEO and founder of Lion Forge Entertainment (David Steward II), as well as Lion Forge’s president and head of creative operations, Stephanie Sperber.

Joe R. Lansdale, famous for “Bubba Ho-Tep” and “Hap & Leonard,” is working on the script for a new film. The French animation studio Blue Spirit, known for their Emmy-winning work such as Netflix’s “Blue Eye Samurai,” will handle the animation production for this movie under Lion Forge Animation.

David Steward II stated, “If anyone appreciates the strength of grand narratives and wide-reaching series, it’s George R.R. Martin.” With A Dozen Tough Jobs, we’re reinventing a classic tale using vibrant, culturally diverse perspectives. This isn’t just a rehash; it’s a revolutionary interpretation, unlike anything viewers have experienced before, rooted in history but venturing into unexplored realms of myth.

Sperber is excited about collaborating with Blue Spirit, one of the top-tier animation studios active today,” he stated. “Their sophisticated approach to their craft promises to breathe life into the 1920’s Deep South in a manner that will captivate viewers, much like they did with the animated series Blue Eye Samurai.

Martin is most renowned for writing the popular fantasy novel series, “A Song of Ice and Fire“, which was transformed into the critically acclaimed television show, “Game of Thrones” that garnered worldwide recognition.

Martin’s longtime friend, Waldrop, was a renowned author of short stories, having received the Nebula Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America and the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement. For further insights into their friendship and Martin’s plans to adapt his books, check out THR‘s interview with him here.

Martin is managed by WME, while Lion Forge Entertainment is handled by both Activist Artists Management and Lumify Entertainment. Joe R. Lansdale, on the other hand, is represented by the Intellectual Property Group (IPG).

In this version, I tried to make it more conversational and easier for a reader to understand who represents each individual, while still maintaining the original information provided.

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2025-05-21 18:24