George R.R. Martin, the celebrated author behind the “Game of Thrones” universe, is venturing into new animated territory, taking on a producing role for an adult animated feature film adaptation of “A Dozen Tough Jobs,” a novella by his late friend, Howard Waldrop. The project, a collaboration with Lion Forge Entertainment, promises a fresh and unconventional reimagining of the legendary 12 Labors of Hercules.
Breaking from traditional Hellenic settings, “A Dozen Tough Jobs” transplants the epic myth to the evocative landscape of 1920s Mississippi. Here, Hercules is re-envisioned not as a demigod, but as a former sharecropper battling to regain his freedom through a series of daunting, mythic-scale tasks. This unique premise offers a “culturally rich lens” on the timeless hero’s journey, as described by David Steward II, CEO and founder of Lion Forge Entertainment.
“If anyone understands the power of epic stories and expansive franchises, it’s George R.R. Martin,” Steward II stated, emphasizing the ambition to deliver a “groundbreaking take, unlike anything audiences have seen before, grounded in history but pushing myth into uncharted territory.”
The screenplay for this intriguing adaptation is being penned by award-winning author Joe R. Lansdale, known for his distinctive blend of dark humor, horror, and Southern Gothic elements. Providing the animation services will be the critically acclaimed French studio Blue Spirit, fresh off their Emmy-winning success with Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai. Stephanie Sperber, President and Chief Creative Officer at Lion Forge, expressed enthusiasm for Blue Spirit’s involvement, noting their “elevated style and craft will bring the world of 1920s deep South to life in a way that will make audiences sit up and take notice.”
George R.R. Martin’s involvement as a producer adds significant weight to the project, hinting at the potential for a richly detailed and narratively compelling animated experience. His long-standing friendship with Howard Waldrop, an acclaimed short story writer, underscores a personal connection to the source material. Waldrop, a Nebula Award and World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement recipient, was known for his unique blend of alternative history, American popular culture, and classical mythology.
The film’s synopsis hints at a gothic, magical-realist retelling set in a world filled with “good ol’ boys, southern belles, children of ex-slaves, chain gangs and rum-runners.” Hercules, recently released from prison for a heinous crime, is remanded into servitude under the “wicked Boss Eustice.” To avoid being sent back to prison, he must complete an escalating series of deadly adventures mirroring the classic 12 Labors, from slaying the Nemean lion to abducting Cerberus from Hades. His journey will take him “from the swamps of the bayou to the gates of Hell,” in a quest for penance and ultimately, freedom.
“A Dozen Tough Jobs” is poised to offer audiences a fresh, bold, and visually stunning animated experience that melds ancient myth with a distinctive historical backdrop, all under the watchful eye of one of fantasy’s most influential storytellers.
[h/t: THR]