In a twist that feels pulled straight from the pages of a fantasy epic, science has done the impossible: they’ve brought dire wolves back to life. The extinct species, made iconic by ‘Game of Thrones’, now walks the Earth again, with three new puppies named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi recently unveiled to the world.
However, while science fans and conservationists are howling with excitement, not everyone is thrilled. Fans who are still waiting on George R.R. Martin’s long-overdue ‘The Winds of Winter’, to say the least, are frustrated.
Fans Howl About George R.R. Martin Not Finishing ‘A Song Of Ice And Fire’ Book Series
George R.R. Martin isn’t just cheering from the sidelines, he’s involved with the whole ordeal. The ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ author is an investor and advisor for the biotech company Collosal, pioneering de-extinction science. Their collaboration may be a victory for conservation and pop culture, but for fans who’ve been flipping through empty pages for 14 years, it feels like salt in the wound.
“Anything but writing a new damn chapter,” one Reddit user wrote, voicing what many frustrated fans are thinking. The company even staged a photo shoot with the new pups sitting on the Iron Throne itself, a nod to their on-screen roots. “Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation,” CEO Ben Lamm stated.
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“Many people view dire wolves as mythical creatures that only exist in a fantasy world,” Martin added, “but in reality, they have a rich history of contributing to the American ecosystem.” But no matter how epic this collaboration may seem, it’s hard to ignore the elephant in the room: Where is ‘Winds of Winter’?
Martin recently addressed the rising noise surrounding his writing progress on his blog, Not a Blog, saying, “I’m so tired of having to issue denials every time some offhand comment of mine, most having nothing to do with WINDS, somehow convinces half the internet that the book is imminent. It’s not. No.” Moreover, the dire wolf reveal, which fans hoped was a long-awaited book announcement, was in a way disappointing.
George R.R. Martin’s Progress On His Book
To be fair, the dire wolf project isn’t just a fun callback to HBO’s hit fantasy series. Colossal Biosciences is working at the cutting edge of conservation, using gene editing and ancient DNA to reintroduce extinct species and help balance the ecosystem. Their previous experiments included reviving a “woolly mouse.”
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Additionally, they’ve been vocal about their long-term goal to bring back the woolly mammoth. In that context, Martin’s involvement makes a bit more sense. He’s long been fascinated with blending history, science, and mythology. But even as he celebrates the birth of Khaleesi, Romulus, and Remus, his fans can’t help but feel like they’ve been left behind.
The author did offer a slight glimmer of hope last month. “The book I’m writing is coming pretty well, but I wish it would come faster,” he revealed. Meanwhile, the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe continues to expand without him. HBO’s ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ premieres this year, and ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 is set for 2026. So, while dire wolves may now roam the Earth again, fans have a lot to look up to as well.
