“The whole world is waiting”: Robert Redford Asked George R.R. Martin to Finish Winds of Winter in Final Acting Credit

Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin once shared the screen in Dark Winds and Redford made a joke at the expense of Martin’s unfinished novel!

Left Image via Broad Green Pictures, Right Image Credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons

Before passing away, veteran actor Robert Redford’s final line in his professional career happened to be with George R.R.Martin.

Appearing alongside the author in a 30-second scene in the thriller series Dark Winds, Robert Redford made sure to crack a joke with Martin on screen.

Although Martin had refused to appear in the role because of the running joke that the author isn’t able to finish his second last novel, The Winds of Winter, Redford couldn’t help but make a joke of it, though he did it slyly.

According to Vulture, Redford ad-libbed the joke, which was removed from the script during their appearance.

While playing a game of chess, it is Martin’s turn to move the piece, and Robert Redford says, “George, the whole world is waiting.

Make a move.” (Oh… snap!).

Of course, the sly was meant for the chess game, but fans could argue that it was Robert Redford’s sly remark at George R.R.

Martin, ‘not making a move’ on finishing The Winds of Winter.

How Dark Winds Cast Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin in the Same Scene

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Well, both Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin were serving as executive producers of the show since they really liked the book on which it was based.

The idea of a cameo between Redford and Martin had been on air as long as season 1.

It was in the air since the first season. Ye’iitsoh (Big Monster).

Said Chris Eyre, the director of season three’s premiere episode.

A cameo was earlier thought of during the season 2 finale, but R.R. Martin denied the request.

It would take quite some time for writer John Wirth to realise that Martin was backing out because of a joke that he had inserted between his and Redford’s conversation.

Although he scrapped the joke (which was about the Winds of Winter delay), Redford wasn’t able to help his emotions and made the double-meaning entendre anyway.

Robert Redford’s Last Career Line was “Thanks a Lot.”

Robert Redford in a still from Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

The veteran actor passed away recently on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance at the age of 89.

The actor had his last role as a cameo in the 2019 movie Avengers: Endgame, following which, he retired.

However, Redford returned for a cameo role alongside George R.R. Martin for the 2025 show, Dark Winds.

The actor died peacefully and surrounded by his family, while actors paid tribute to his legendary star.

Coincidentally, with his cameo in Dark Winds, Robert Redford delivered his final line.

When the security guard assists George R.R. Martin in winning the game, Redford turns towards him and says “Thanks a lot”, making these three words the final words we would ever hear from Robert Redford on a TV screen.

Key Facts About Dark Winds

Created By:
Graham Roland

Cast:
Zach McClarnon, Jessica Matten, A Martinez

No. of Episodes:
22

IMDb Rating:
7.7/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score:
100%

Production House:
AMC Studios

Let us know if you watched Robert Redford’s last goodbye act or not. Comment below!

Dark Winds is available to stream on AMC+ (USA).