It might come as a surprise to some audiences that George R.R. Martin's work outside A Song of Ice and Fire has not had much success when it comes to screen adaptations. However, all of this could change with the fantasy movie In The Lost Lands, which has a confirmed 2025 release date and will star Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich as the warrior Boyce and the witch Gray Alys (via GeorgeRRMartin). Based on his short story of the same name, In The Lost Lands could be a risk at the box office, but this doesn't outweigh its potential.

George R.R. Martin's best books don't just include Game of Thrones, even if that's his most popular work to date. The prolific fantasy writer initially wrote shorter works of fiction, even if his epic saga has gained the most traction onscreen. The success of the prequel TV series, House of the Dragon​​​​​​, is a positive sign for future GRRM adaptations. However, that still falls within the realm of Game of Thrones. In The Lost Lands will have increased traction thanks to GRRM's name recognitions, the recent increase in interest in fantasy, and the star power of Bautista and Jovovich.

Movies & TV Shows Based On GRRM's Non-Game Of Thrones Works Have Struggled

Game of Thrones breaks GRRM's trend instead of confirming it

It's not uncommon for fantasy TV shows or movies based on books to end up stuck in development, and this has happened with a few of GRRM's older works. There was potential for The Ice Dragon and Wild Cards to be brought to life on screen, but there have been few updates in the past few years. Of the GRRM's properties that have been adapted, like Nightflyers, both TV shows and movies have failed to capture the hearts and minds of audiences. The big question for In The Lost Lands is if it will break this trend.

Unfortunately, In The Lost Lands doesn't have the Game of Thrones connection that would essentially ensure its success.

There are plenty of new and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, since A Song of Ice and Fire has proven to be such a consistent moneymaker. However, this has been the exception to the rule for GRRM works, as Game of Thrones was a breakout hit with longtime fantasy fans and newcomers to the genre alike. Unfortunately, In The Lost Lands doesn't have the Game of Thrones connection that would essentially ensure its success. However, this doesn't mean that all hope is lost for the movie.

Can In The Lost Lands Be A Success?

If In The Lost Lands connects with audiences, it could open the door for more GRRM content

Bautista and Jovovich have the potential to be a great combination at the box office, as both actors have been in popular blockbusters. Additionally, both Bautista and Jovovich are known for their work in the action genre, indicating that In The Lost Lands will lean into the fight sequences and violence, elements that perform well in theaters. The director, Paul W.S. Anderson, has worked with Jovovich in the past, but not all of their collaborations have been hits. Overall, In The Lost Land will struggle the most with name recognition.

In The Land of The Lost will likely benefit from its stars and a tight script based on GRRM's source material but will have the best chance of success if it can be made on a tight budget. There's a path forward for the movie, and if it performs well, this would set a precedent for revisiting GRRM's other work outside A Song of Ice and Fire. While plenty of fantasy movies have bombed at the box office, if In The Land of the Lost learns from these mistakes and appeals to dedicated GRRM fans, there's no reason it can't usher in a new era of fantasy films.