A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin has signed on to develop an animated adaptation of Howard Waldrop's A Dozen Tough Jobs.
A short novella, Waldrop's A Dozen Tough Jobs, was another instance where the author took an old mythological story and gave it a new twist. In this tale, he repurposes the myth of the Twelve Labors of Hercules, but sets the story i 1920s Mississippi, as opposed to ancient Greece.
The main character, named Houlka Lee, is not a powerful demigod, but a Black man and a recently released convict. To stay out of jail, he is forced into indentured servitude for a cruel man named Boss Eustice. The only way to earn his freedom is to complete a series of very challenging and dangerous tasks, each one based on one of the original 12 labors of Hercules.
The story blends mythic resonance with historical grit as it explores large-scale concepts such as true freedom, just punishment, and what life was like for Black people in the Jim Crow South. A Dozen Tough Jobs is a creative and powerful story that brings ancient legends into a tough but important part of American history.
Martin will produce the film alongside Lion Forge Entertainment CEO and founder David Steward II, and Lion Forge president and chief creative officer Stephanie Sperber.
Lion Forge is a trailblazing, minority-owned studio specializing in both animation and live-action storytelling. The company gained widespread acclaim after its animated short Hair Love took home the Academy Award in 2020. Since then, Lion Forge has continued to expand its creative reach with projects like Iyanu, a Cartoon Network fantasy series, and Drawn In, an educational animated show produced for PBS.
The creative team behind A Dozen Tough Jobs is shaping up to be quite impressive. Joe R. Lansdale, whose credits include the quirky horror-comedy Bubba Ho-Tep and the fan-favorite Hap & Leonard TV series, will write the script.
The visual storytelling is in expert hands as well, with the renowned French animation studio Blue Spirit, fresh off their Emmy win for the visually striking Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix, providing animation services.
George R. R. Martin and Howard Waldrop shared a profound and enduring bond that stretched back over fifty years. Their friendship began in the early 1960s, when they were just teenagers exchanging letters through comic book fandom—a passion that would spark a lifelong connection rooted in storytelling and imagination.
Over the decades, Martin often spoke with deep affection about Waldrop, calling him his “oldest friend in the world of science fiction and fantasy.”
When Waldrop passed away in January 2024, Martin honored his memory with a moving tribute, reflecting on their remarkable journey together and the loss of a friend who had been with him since the very beginning.
“If anyone understands the power of epic stories and expansive franchises, it’s George R.R. Martin,” said David Steward II via press statement. “With A Dozen Tough Jobs, we’re reimagining a timeless legend through fresh, culturally rich lenses. This isn’t just a retelling — it’s a groundbreaking take, unlike anything audiences have seen before, grounded in history but pushing myth into uncharted territory.”
“We are looking forward to working with Blue Spirit, one of the best animation houses working in the field today,” said Sperber, also via press statement. “Their elevated style and craft will bring the world of 1920’s deep South to life in a way that will make audiences sit up and take notice, just as they did with Blue Eye Samurai.”