Why ‘Game Of Thrones’ Author George R.R. Martin Can’t Work On ‘Wild Cards’ Adaptation

“Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin revealed that he has another book series headed to television. The “Wild Cards” books, which Martin has edited for nearly 30 years, are being adapted into what he hopes are several TV shows. However, Martin isn’t involved.

The 67-year-old revealed on his Live Journal blog that Universal Cable Productions (UCP), which produced “Battlestar Galactica” and “Warehouse 13,” is developing a series based on the books. UCP is owned by NBC Universal, and that is why he cannot personally participate. “I won’t be working on the series myself... my own development deal is exclusive to HBO, and I am writing ‘THE WINDS OF WINTER,’ as I believe most of you will recall,” Martin explained. Indeed, many fans are anxiously awaiting the next “Game of Thrones” book and will be happy that Martin can’t use a new TV series to procrastinate.

It sounds like Martin has faith in those who are working on the series, though. Melinda M. Snodgrass, Martin’s assistant editor on “Wild Cards,” and Gregory Noveck are executive producing. “I have every confidence in Melinda Snodgrass and Gregory Noveck,” Martin added. “They know and love the ‘Wild Cards’ universe almost as well as I do, and I think they will do a terrific job. Wish them luck.”

Martin described “Wild Cards” for those unfamiliar with the anthology series: “The shared world of the ‘Wild Cards’ diverged from our own on September 15, 1946 when an alien virus was released in the skies over Manhattan, and spread across an unsuspecting Earth. Of those infected, 90% died horribly, drawing the black queen, 9% were twisted and deformed into jokers, while a lucky 1% became blessed with extraordinary and unpredictable powers and became aces. The world was never the same.”

The author wouldn’t say exactly what the show would focus on. With dozens of stories from 31 different authors, the world has a variety of characters and storylines that could be adapted. It’s easy to see why Martin believes it could turn into several series.

For now, the TV show is just in development. Fans of the books will have to wait a while to find out if they’re even making a pilot episode, let alone if the show is picked up for a season.

Then again, Martin’s fans are used to waiting. “The Winds of Winter,” the next “A Song of Ice and Fire” book, is currently being written, but fans have been waiting over five years for it.

“Look, I have always had problems with deadlines,” Martin explained apologetically in a January blog post. “For whatever reason, I don't respond well to them. Back in November, when I returned to Northwestern to accept my Alumni Award, I told the Medill students that was why I started writing fiction instead of getting a job on a newspaper. I knew even then that daily deadlines would kill me. That was a joke, of course... but there was truth in it too.”

“Game of Thrones” Season 7 will premiere later next year, and fans are hoping that “The Winds of Winter” is on shelves before then. However, no release date has been confirmed.