Author George R.R. Martin, who is still working on the last two novels in the acclaimed Game of Thrones fantasy series, has taken on a very different new job: creating a theme park.
Martin has teamed with the entertainment company Meow Wolf to develop new psychedelic theme park attractions. In his role as Chief World Builder, Martin will craft the story and world behind the theme parks. The prolific author previously worked with the company to convert a bowling alley into the House of Eternal Return, a fantasy and mystery-themed entertainment complex with winding passages and surreal attractions and tableaus. Martin and Meow Wolf have planned to expand the company's offerings across multiple locations in different cities around the country.
"Meow Wolf wouldn’t be what it is today without George’s generous support,” declared Meow Wolf CEO Vince Kadlubek in a statement to Deadline. "He took a chance on us and gave our artists the platform they needed to create the House of Eternal Return. It’s an honor to have him as part of our team and we can’t wait to see what he can help us accomplish as Chief World Builder.”
In addition to the House of Eternal Return, Meow Wolf has opened Kaleidoscape, a dark ride in Denver's Elditch Gardens Theme and Family Water Park, with plans for an expanded complex in Phoenix. For Martin, the opportunity to develop Meow Wolf's multiverse across its theme parks was an intriguing one.
"From the very beginning, the Meow Wolf team captured my curiosity,” Martin explained. "When Vince first approached me with the idea to buy and renovate a bowling alley, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, they really sparked my interest and their vision pushed all my buttons — a sci-fi world spanning multiple universes — they delivered something we’ve never seen before. I look forward to continuing to grow the Meow Wolf storyworld for years to come.”
Meow Wolf plans to open a permanent facility in Denver in 2020, with announced future plans for Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.