George R.R. Martin claims that writing The Winds of Winter is “still a priority” for him.
A recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter revealed that George R.R. Martin still intends to continue his book series, A Song of Ice and Fire. Many Game of Thrones fans are in doubt that this is true. Some online even laughed. However, it might be genuine this time—because he gave THR an explanation, not just an excuse.
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (2019), HBO
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George R.R. Martin has been working on more than just his books. He was also involved with the popular award-winning video game Elden Ring. More recently, Martin has been self-financing several different short films based on stories by the late Howard Waldrop, whom he considered a friend. The Game of Thrones author apparently wanted to honor Waldrop when his health began to decline, and chose to do so through film production, which he has been funding out-of-pocket.
In the interview, he said: “It’s hard to get anyone to finance a short film. … Movie theaters don’t want to show short films. … And it’s hard to get the big studios to make them. I tried for a number of years … I finally gave up.”
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones (2019), HBO
Thus, George R.R. Martin decided to fund the films himself. He told THR: “The cardinal rule of Hollywood is: Never use your own money. I broke that.”
George said, regarding the films: “three of them are now finished. Two more are in postproduction.”
The interview continued with THR inquiring about The Winds of Winter, the long-awaited next addition to A Song of Ice and Fire in the Game of Thrones franchise.
“Unfortunately, I am thirteen years late,” Martin admitted. “Every time I say that, I’m [like], ‘How could I be thirteen years late?’ I don’t know, it happens a day at a time. … But that’s still a priority.”
Pilou Asbæk as Euron Greyjoy and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones (2019), HBO
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He then addressed his critics and doubters.
“A lot of people are already writing obituaries for me,” he said. “[They’re probably saying,] ‘Oh, he’ll never be finished.’ Maybe they’re right. I don’t know. I’m alive right now! I seem pretty vital!”
The popular author then claimed he could never retire because he’s “not a golfer.”
While we at That Park Place aren’t sure what he meant by that retirement statement, we can at least say that, based on this interview, George R.R. Martin has not entirely abandoned his beloved book series.
A scene from Game of Thrones (2019), HBO
Whether or not he means it is what’s in doubt. George has made claims like this before, with nothing to show for it. Regardless, he has definitely set a record for the longest time spent procrastinating.
What do you guys think? Is George simply focusing on his other projects, or just being lazy? Let us know in the comments!
Raven Redgrave, also known as WritingRaven, is an accomplished professional writer and co-host of the Gothic Therapy YouTube Channel with her husband MasterOfTheTDS. Subscribe to their channel for more!
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Lyrics to The Song of Ice and Fire
By George R. R. Martin
🎵 This is the song that doesn’t end
It just goes on and on, my friend
Some people started reading it
Not knowing what it was
And they will wait for Georgie Boy
Forever just because
This is the song that doesn’t end
It just goes on and on, my friend
Some people started reading it
Not knowing what it was
And they will wait for Georgie Boy
Forever just because
This is the song that doesn’t end
It just goes on and on, my friend
Some people started reading it
Not knowing what it was
And they will wait for Georgie Boy
Forever just because 🎶
Go away George. You are irrelevant
I blame the woke mind virus. It doesn’t matter how good you were before the woke mind virus ate your brain.
GRRM blaming the state of America for not being able to finish his magnum opus is like CWC blaming “stress” on… well, pretty much everything he’s unable to do. Didn’t think I’d be comparing these two insane, overweight men this morning, but life is just full of surprises, I guess.