D&D Movie/TV Spider-Man: Homecoming Writers Talk D&D Movie

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley talked to Hollywood Reporter about the D&D movie, it's comedic themes, and how the directors are working directly with WotC.

They directed Game Night, and wrote Spider-Man: Homecoming. They mentioned that they had been supposed to fly here to the UK to scout locations in March, but the pandemic interrupted that.

They also mentioned comedic elements and characters in the movie, which currently has a projected release date of May 27th, 2022. No actors are yet cast.

It's not an out and out comedy, but it is an action-fantasy movie with a lot of comedic elements and characters we hope people will really get into and enjoy watching their adventures.

Daley plays a weekly D&D game, so he is familiar with the genre. But the pair are working directly with WotC.

We haven't been accosted by players yet, but we are working with the Wizards of the Coast, the brand holders of D&D. They are the experts. We have people there that we work with and it's pretty helpful, because as much as we know about D&D, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the 45 years of lore that's out there, so these guys are such a resource. If we need a particular spell that a [high]-level wizard could do, they could give us a list. It's a lot of fun.

 

[Parmandur]

Yuck. I want no comedy in my D&D movie. My anticipation level for this just dropped to zero.

...

None?

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

I guess some people don't like any comedy in their D&D games and would probably not want humor in D&D movies either. They're in the minority here, though. People tend to appreciate minor jokes in movies more than none whatsoever.

 

[Emirikol Prime]

Yuck. I want no comedy in my D&D movie. My anticipation level for this just dropped to zero.

So you’re saying you want it to bomb utterly?

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

So you’re saying you want it to bomb utterly?

This is what would happen most likely if they stripped away all comedy.

 

[Mistwell]

I think we’re having two different conversations.

Must be you're not understanding each other's accents.

 

[Parmandur]

I guess some people don't like any comedy in their D&D games and would probably not want humor in D&D movies either. They're in the minority here, though. People tend to appreciate minor jokes in movies more than none whatsoever.

I cannot conceive a D&D game without humor.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

I cannot conceive a D&D game without humor.

I agree. Having jokes makes it more enjoyable.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Yuck. I want no comedy in my D&D movie. My anticipation level for this just dropped to zero.

So, an Art House D&D movie.

Yeah, that'll draw in the crowds...

 

[QuentinGeorge]

I agree. Having jokes makes it more enjoyable.

Correct. And D&D should in no way be a po-faced "this is absolutely deadly serious and important" movie.

On the other hand though, characters must make jokes that are appropriate to a sense of verisimilitude about the setting. If you want a bad example of Disney's "MCU"ification of its properties, consider the jokes in The Last Jedi's opening. Completely undercut the gravity of the situation, and cheapened several characters. No one would act like them in that situation.

Think about the humour in the original Star Wars movie. Han Solo makes some awkward jokes when he's trying to stop stormtroopers entering the detention centre - but look at his face afterwards, the character still appreciates the gravity of the situation (ie, he's probably going to die). Characters shouldn't run around quipping without any reaction to the things happening around them. Quickest way to remind someone they are watching a movie.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Han Solo makes some awkward jokes when he's trying to stop stormtroopers entering the detention centre - but look at his face afterwards, the character still appreciates the gravity of the situation (ie, he's probably going to die).

That's performance though, not writing. Harrison Ford sells it, some other actor would not.