George R.R. Martin: 'Wild Cards' will be adapted for TV

SANTA FE, N.M., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- George R.R. Martin says his Wild Cards series is headed for TV.

The 67-year-old Game of Thrones author announced in a blog post Saturday that the sci-fi anthology will be adapted as one or more television series.

"We have some exciting news for all the Wild Cards fans out there," he wrote. "Universal Cable Productions (UPC) has acquired the rights to adapt our long-running Wild Cards series."

Wild Cards is an ongoing collection of mosaic and solo novels that take place in a shared universe. Over 30 authors have contributed to the 22-book series, including Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass, who also serve as editors.

"Development will begin immediately on what we hope will be the first of several interlocking series," Martin said of the adaptation. "Melinda M. Snodgrass, my assistant editor and right-hand man on Wild Cards since its inception ... is attached as an executive producer on the project."

The first volume in the Wild Cards anthology, Wild Cards, was published in 1986. The series takes place in an alternate post-WWII universe where an alien virus has infected humans -- killing most, but mutating survivors.

"Only one thing I can say for (almost) sure. You will be seeing Croyd Crenson, no matter shape the eventual show or shows ends up taking," Martin teased. "It wouldn't be Wild Cards without the Sleeper."

"I cross my fingers that the Wild Cards will be coming to your home screens in the next year or two," he said before adding, "I won't be working on the series myself."

Martin is instead finishing The Winds of Winter, the sixth book in his A Song of Ice and Fire book series that HBO adapted as Game of Thrones. Universal Cable Productions programming includes Mr. Robot, Colony and The Magicians.