George R.R. Martin bringing Roger Zelazny fantasy novel to HBO

George R.R. Martin will serve as executive producer on Roadmarks, an adaptation of Roger Zelazny’s 1979 novel about a road that travels through time.

Deadline reports that A Song of Ice and Fire author and Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin has another HBO project in the works: he’ll serve as executive producer on Roadmarks, an adaptation of Roger Zelazny’s 1979 novel about a road that travels through time.

“My career in television started in 1985 when I adapted Roger Zelazny’s Last Defender of Camelot for The Twilight Zone,” Martin said in a statement. “Roger was a friend, a mentor, and one of the greatest science fiction writers who ever lived. It was an honor to be able to bring his work to television. That is why I am so thrilled to be a part of adapting Roger’s novel Roadmarks for HBO. We have a great book, a great screenwriter in Kalinda Vasquez, and the makings of a wonderful, original show.  I look forward to a long and thrilling journey.”

Zalazny is best known for his Chronicles of Amber series. Roadmarks is pretty interesting story. It follows Red Dorakeen, who’s traveling the Road in search of a vaguely remembered place or time that is no longer accessible. He gets off at exits and participates in different historical events, and is almost assassinated by various historical figures or fictional people made flesh. He’s often joined by his son Randy or Leila, a woman who’s destiny is closely tied to his.

Chunks of the novel are told in a non-linear fashion, although everything becomes clear in the end. And yes, there are dragons involved; it wouldn’t be a George R.R. Martin project without them. The Road itself was created by the Dragons of Bel’kwinith, although no one knows why.

As Martin mentioned, Kalinda Vasquez — a veteran of shows like Star Trek: Discovery, Fear the Walking Dead, Once Upon A Time and more — will actually be writing the show. For those concerned that this will distract Martin from writing The Winds of Winter, I wouldn’t be too worried…or at least, not more than usual. I doubt he’ll be much involved in the production, but it definitely pays to have the name of the guy who created Game of Thrones in your opening credits.

And Roadmarks isn’t the only show Martin is lending his name to as part of his overall deal with HBO. He’s helping turn the network into a fantasy/sci-fi haven:

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