Cinemax has ordered a pilot script for George R.R. Martin's werewolf novella titled "The Skin Trade.' Kalinda Vazquez, who works as co-executive producer for "Once Upon a Time,' will work on the adaptation of Martin's work, which follows the story of a young detective investigating a series of brutal murders in her small town.
The "Game of Thrones' author wrote "The Skin Trade' in the 1980s, and the novel was first published alongside horror anthology "Night Vision 5' by Stephen King and Dan Simmons.
"I have always thought there was a TV series (or maybe a feature film) in Willie Flambeaux and Randi Wade," Martin wrote about the news on his blog, referring to the story's main characters.
However, the author emphasized to fans that Cinemax only ordered the pilot script, and that it will not be guaranteed if 'The Skin Trade' would eventually be adapted as a full series.
"Kalinda's take on the story and the characters blew me away. She loves the story and the world, and really seems to get Willie and Randi, and her pitch to Cinemax was one of the most polished and professional I've ever heard," Martin said of choosing Vasquez for "The Skin Trade.' "I love her enthusiasm, and look forward to working with her."
As for the main reason why the award-winning scribe will not be overlooking the adaptation, he pointed out the great need to complete the sixth "Game of Thrones' novel as its TV version is picking up the pace.
"I have this book to finish," Martin wrote of "The Winds of Winter.' "You know the one."
Nonetheless, it seems that the penultimate novel in the "A Song of Ice and Fire' series could have an official release in 2016. Such news comes from a Spanish radio interview with an editor at the publishing house that owns the Spanish rights to the series.
Alejo Cuervo, who is also a friend of Martin, said that "The Winds of Winter' is likely to get published next year, "unless a meteorite falls".
"It's planned for next year," Cuervo shared. "They have promised us that they will give us the manuscript before the release date in English, but it won't be a big difference [between the dates]."
This could suggest that the highly anticipated "ASOIAF' installment might hit the shelves before "Game of Thrones' season six begins in April.
