Dragonlance Joe Manganelio is Writing the D&D Movie? And Is it DRAGONLANCE?

Actor Joe Manganelio (from True Blood, Magic Mike, and more) appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast this week, and reported that he is co-writing a movie script. While he doesn't namecheck D&D, his description sounds a lot like it, and he did recently meet up with WotC. "Last year with a playwright I went to Carnegie Mellon with, I actually made a draft of a film, and now we're talking to all the right parties. I had a two-day creative summit with the Wizards of the Coast...we had like a two-day summit about where the movie could go or TV series, products, synergy, the whole deal… Obviously, there's a spectacle. There's dragons breathing fire and lightning. But what makes a great superhero or fantasy movie is the human aspect. It's got to be about something. We root for those characters in Game of Thrones. Fellowship of the Ring was about friendship, this undying love for your friends. That's something everyone can identify with. When a movie is about something human and real emotionally people are going to want to see. Then you get some dragons breathing fire, and hey, I'm in." And to add fuel to the fire, he even tweets a photo of a DRAGONLANCE script! (thanks to darjr for the scoop)

The D&D movie is being directed by Rob Letterman (Goosebumps, Monsters vs. Aliens, Shark Tale), produced by Rob Lee (The Lego Movie, How To Train Your Dragon) and was/maybe still is being penned by David Leslie Johnson (Wrath of the Titans). Previous reports indicated that "This new Dungeons & Dragons will be a Guardians of the Galaxy-tone movie in a Tolkien-like universe. Because when you think of all the Hobbit movies and The Lord of the Rings, they have an earnestness to them, and to see something fun, a Raiders romp inside that world, I feel is something the audience has not seen before." and that "producers are eyeing a Vin Diesel-type for the film’s lead characters".

Of course, we also know that Vin Diesel plays D&D, as does Joe Manganiello.

So is he co-writing the D&D movie or is that something else? To add to the rumour pile, he tweeted an image of a DRAGONLANCE script (shown below). Of course, he could be playing with us. But maybe there is something in it? His name isn't that script, nor is David Leslie Johnson's. Let the speculation begin!

Manganelio at WotC in February

Manganelio tweeted this image



​

SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave​

 

[Abstruse]

That's like saying a Batman & Robin was horrible so Batman Begins was doomed to the same fate.

You joke, but that was what most people thought before the film came out. They also balked at "that dude from Knight's Tale" as The Joker for Dark Knight.

 

[Oofta]

You joke, but that was what most people thought before the film came out. They also balked at "that dude from Knight's Tale" as The Joker for Dark Knight.

Actually that is my point. People assumed the movie would be awful because the previous movie was. Same with the D&D movie.

We won't know if it's good, bad or just mediocre until it's released because literally the only thing it shares in common with previous movies is that it's based on D&D. It has even less of a tie to previous movies than the Batman movies did.

I'll go even one step further. Saying that the next movie will be bad is like saying all movies based on comic books will be bad because Howard the Duck was such a flop.

 

[Abstruse]

Actually that is my point. People assumed the movie would be awful because the previous movie was. Same with the D&D movie.

We won't know if it's good, bad or just mediocre until it's released because literally the only thing it shares in common with previous movies is that it's based on D&D. It has even less of a tie to previous movies than the Batman movies did.

I'll go even one step further. Saying that the next movie will be bad is like saying all movies based on comic books will be bad because Howard the Duck was such a flop.

I agree with you...except the middle part. The D&D movie rights are...complicated. This may not technically even be a "Dungeons & Dragons" movie. It's weird.

That said, until we know who is attached, anything from behind the scenes, or have at least seen a trailer, it's impossible to judge.

 

[Mistwell]

I just find it amazing how many people are psychic on this message board.

Well you know, D&D tends to attract the psychics. At least, to a great extent than monopoly or basketball. If you were to ask yourself "What game would a psychic be most likely to play" I think "D&D" is probably in the top 5

 

[Satyrn]

Actually that is my point. People assumed the movie would be awful because the previous movie was. Same with the D&D movie.

We won't know if it's good, bad or just mediocre until it's released because literally the only thing it shares in common with previous movies is that it's based on D&D. It has even less of a tie to previous movies than the Batman movies did.

I'll go even one step further. Saying that the next movie will be bad is like saying all movies based on comic books will be bad because Howard the Duck was such a flop.

Am I allowed to think it will suck because I think nearly every movie made in the last 15 years sucks?

 

[ccs]

An article I read said it's Dragonlance and Manganiello twittered this.

And my point stands. No matter what he writes can't be worse than the previous attempt. If you thought D&D with Jeremy Irons chewing through the scenery was aweful, just try watching the animated crapfest that was the DL movie.

 

[TheSwartz]

The MOST magical part of this rumor is: the possibility that Dragonlance may return as a major campaign setting? I can NOT imagine that they would set a movie in Krynn and then not release play material? i.e. a fully updated 5e campaign guide????

I am SO keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[Shasarak]

Ok, Cool. We have a Dragonlance script so now all we need is Sir Peter Jackson, Orlando Bloom and a paddock out back in rural NZ and we are sweet as.

That would be choice bro!

 

[Ath-kethin]

Ok, Cool. We have a Dragonlance script so now all we need is Sir Peter Jackson, Orlando Bloom and a paddock out back in rural NZ and we are sweet as.

That would be choice bro!

Please, no Peter Jackson. I'd like 3 movies covering the events in the books, not 8 movies including all the garbage written after and around the first three.

 

[Shasarak]

Please, no Peter Jackson. I'd like 3 movies covering the events in the books, not 8 movies including all the garbage written after and around the first three.

Yeah, nah she'll be right, mate. I dont trust any other Director not to make a hash of it.