HBO is re-upping its business relationship with author George R. R. Martin (The Winds of Winter, A Clash of Kings). The Hollywood Reporter details Martin and the network have reached a new overall deal with Martin developing projects for both the linear network and its streaming service, HBO Max. According to sources, the deal spans five years and tallies in the eight-figure range.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Martin and HBO first collaborated in 2007 as his A Song of Fire and Ice book series was the basis for HBO’s groundbreaking fantasy show, Game of Thrones. A decade and several Emmys later, HBO is planning an expansion of the GOT universe with series of prequels in development. Martin is set to consult in the writing and development of each. The first to be greenlit is the Targaryen-focused House of the Dragon, set to premiere sometime next year.
In addition to the GOT world, Martin is set to executive produce two other projects at HBO based on fantasy novels. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Martin is attached to Who Fears Death from Nnedi Okorafor (Binti, Akata Witch). Based on the 2011 novel, the story follows a young woman in post-apocalyptic Sudan, living as an outcast in her own community. When she discovers innate gifts of magic, she learns she has a greater purpose. It is that purpose that makes her the target of an evil entity.
The second project is based on Roger Zelazny’s (The Courts of Chaos, This Immortal) Roadmarks, via The Hollywood Reporter. Published in 1979, Roadmarks centers on the ability to time travel via a central highway. The various exits lead to different points in time, and the shifting of events either closes or opens exits along the way. A young man traverses time in pursuit of his own memories changing fate as he goes.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Martin has two other projects in the works separate from HBO. At NBC’s Peacock, he is developing a series based on his own anthology novel series, Wild Cards. And a collection of short stories entitled, In the Lost Lands, is being optioned for a feature film with Paul W. S. Anderson (Resident Evil, Event Horizon) set to direct.