George R. R. Martin's Universe Includes Not Only 'GoT' & 'HotD', but Also This Obscure Sci-Fi Flick

When people think of George R.R. Martin, they immediately imagine the harsh landscapes of Westeros. Game of Thrones is so closely associated with Martin that many fans are unaware of his other works that have also been adapted.

However, Martin's literary legacy is far more extensive than it seems at first glance, encompassing not only epic fantasy, but also classic science fiction.

One such forgotten project was Nightflyers, an adaptation of the 1980s novella of the same name, which was a resounding failure with both critics and viewers.

What Is 'Nightflyers' About?

Set in 2093, the story follows a group of scientists and explorers who embark on a dangerous space journey aboard the ship Nightflyer. Their goal is to reach the source of strange signals coming from deep space and make first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.

The professor, the expedition's initiator, entrusts vessel's control entirely to the onboard computer, which is designed to ensure the crew's safety. However, from the beginning of the mission, things start to go wrong.

Tensions among the crew grow with each passing day and the scientists begin to doubt the success of their undertaking. They soon realize that there is something aboard the ship that shouldn't be there.

The 'Nightflyers' Adaptation Was a Complete Failure From the Very Beginning

The story of the making of Nightflyers is a classic example of Hollywood absurdity capable of ruining even the most promising project.

Back in 1984, Vista Studios acquired the rights to Martin's work, and the writer was thrilled with the deal, especially the opportunity to collaborate on the adaptation as a co-writer and producer. However, his joy was short-lived.

During the process, he expanded the original short story, turning it into a full-length novella and significantly deepening the plot. But when he saw Robert Jaffe's finished screenplay, he was outraged.

It turned out that the hired screenwriter had not read the final version of the work but had worked from an early, simplified edition. Furthermore, Jaffe altered key events in the story, ignoring all the refinements Martin had carefully implemented.

Additionally, Robert Collector's direction didn't add any quality to the movie – the director's credits included only one mediocre thriller. The result is a flick completely devoid of the original story's atmosphere and depth.

The 1987 Movie Wasn't the End of Adaptations of George R.R. Martin's Novella

Critics unanimously panned the weak script and outdated special effects. The cast, which included Canadian actress Catherine Mary Stewart and John Standing, known to Game of Thrones fans as Lord Jon Arryn, couldn't save the movie.

However, the story of Nightflyers didn't end there. In the late 2010s, the success of Game of Thrones generated a feverish demand for anything associated with George R. R. Martin, so Syfy attempted to revive the project as a series.

Unfortunately, this version also failed – the series of the same name received mixed reviews from critics and viewers alike and was canceled after its first season.

What Did Viewers Think of 'Nightflyers'?

• Nightflyers has 20% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 4.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, Nightflyers scored 2.7/5.0.