Game of Thrones Made the Dire Wolf Famous. Colossal Made It Real.
The Hollywood Reporter on how Colossal Biosciences turned pop culture’s most iconic predator into a living scientific achievement
When Colossal Biosciences announced the birth of Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, it wasn’t just a science story. It was a cultural moment. The Hollywood Reporter examines how Colossal has woven together public fascination with the dire wolf, built largely through Game of Thrones, and the serious genomic science behind its revival. Using DNA extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull, Colossal introduced 20 targeted edits into the gray wolf genome to produce animals with authentic dire wolf characteristics, from their white coats to their larger build. “Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies,” said CEO Ben Lamm. “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic.” George R.R. Martin, a Colossal investor and cultural adviser, added that while many view dire wolves as fantasy creatures, “they have a rich history of contributing to the American ecosystem.”
Read the full feature at The Hollywood Reporter.