If there’s one universal truth in this world, it’s that waiting for George R.R. Martin to finish The Winds of Winter is like waiting for a white raven in July, technically possible, but highly unlikely. The man moves at his own pace, crafting epic tales one leisurely typewriter keystroke at a time, much to the chagrin of A Song of Ice and Fire fans who have been aging in real-time as they wait for the next book.
Meanwhile, in a surprising twist, In the Lost Lands director Paul W.S. Anderson now hopes that Martin will grace the world with more Gray Alys stories after the author praised the upcoming film adaptation of his work. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that Martin’s timeline for writing is about as predictable as a Westerosi wedding.
George R.R. Martin loved In the Lost Lands
Paul W.S. Anderson recently shared his nerve-wracking experience of showing In the Lost Lands to George R.R. Martin, explaining that he was on edge as if he were awaiting a royal decree from the Iron Throne itself. The verdict?
Martin loved it, even saying that Anderson had captured his voice better than any other adaptation of his work. In an interview with SFX Magazine (via GameRadar+), he revealed Martin’s reaction,
I have to say, having been in this industry for a little while and made a bunch of movies, it’s the most nervous I’ve ever been having a screening. I’m sitting there going, ‘Sh*t. This is George R.R. Martin.’ But at the end, he loved it. He said he felt that I had captured his voice better than anyone had in an adaptation, which made me feel amazing.
That’s a big deal, considering the last major adaptation of his work, Game of Thrones went from the best show on television to therapy-inducing disappointment in just one season. Anderson, now basking in the warm glow of Martin’s approval, dares to dream, what if this inspires the author to write more Gray Alys stories?
A noble thought, indeed. But considering Martin’s long-standing Winds of Winter predicament, expecting him to whip up fresh Gray Alys material is like asking Daenerys to just chill for a second, it’s probably not happening.
For those unfamiliar, In the Lost Lands is based on Martin’s short story of the same name, following the enigmatic sorceress Gray Alys as she navigates a treacherous world filled with magic and morally questionable choices.
While the film reportedly has a satisfying, self-contained ending, Anderson seems eager for more. Unfortunately for him and for all of us still waiting on various Martin-related projects, the author’s track record suggests that Gray Alys may remain as elusive as a reliable Stark family reunion.
If George R.R. Martin can’t finish one story, why start another?
Let’s not forget that The Winds of Winter has been coming soon since 2011. That’s 14 years of George R.R. Martin assuring fans that it’s making progress, while simultaneously taking on side projects like co-writing Elden Ring, attending conventions, and passionately blogging about football. At this rate, the book might arrive just in time for a post-apocalyptic society to rediscover literature.
So, while Anderson might be dreaming of future Gray Alys tales, let’s be realistic. Martin isn’t exactly the kind of guy to bang out a quick novella between coffee breaks. He’s an architect, not a gardener, meticulously building every story, every world, and every character with the patience of someone who knows his fans can do absolutely nothing but wait.
And hey, even if Martin does eventually write more Gray Alys stories, who’s to say when? It could be next year, it could be in another decade, or it could be right after he finally, finally finishes The Winds of Winter. But if nothing else, at least In the Lost Lands might give fans something to hold onto while they continue their long, never-ending watch.
In the Lost Lands will be released in theatres on March 7, 2025.
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