D&D Movie/TV D&D TV Show By John Wick Creator

From Hollywood Reporter — “Derek Kolstad, the creator and writer behind the John Wick franchise, has been tapped to pen and develop a pitch for a live-action series based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe.”

‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Series in the Works With ‘John Wick’ Writer (Exclusive)

Derek Kolstad, the creator and writer behind the John Wick franchise, has been tapped to pen and develop a pitch for a live-action series based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

The article doesn’t say anything more, unfortunately, other than describing what D&D is — “Affectionately referred to by fans as D&D, the game is known for its wars, treasure hunts, campaigns, camaraderie, and reversals of fortune, all in a setting that combines humans, elves, orcs and hundreds of other creatures. The game famously uses multisided dice in gameplay to further the imaginary story and is overseen by a host known as the Dungeon Master.”

 

[Stacie GmrGrl]

There's also another Willow property coming out. Carnival Row has Eberron-ish fantasy vibes.

The expansion of streaming options is leading to fantasy genre getting much more attention than in the past. Of course, you'll need to subscribe to 15 different platforms to see them all.

With Amazon we'll (theoretically) get both Lord of the Rings and Wheel of Time, and with Netflix we'll get The Witcher and Conan (If they can find a good showrunner for Conan. They did have the guy that did Spartacus at one point in talks over a year ago but that didn't pan out.)

I don't know of any other big fantasy IP's are getting a tv show, but with these four plus D&D the fantasy genre is finally getting some shows that will be good for the genre to watch.

 

[Imaculata]

Conan if done right, could make for an amazing show.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Conan if done right, could make for an amazing show.

Too right.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

With Amazon we'll (theoretically) get both Lord of the Rings

From what I have read, it's technically the Silmarillion we will be getting...

 

[n0nym]

I never knew I wanted it but... Now I want a Baldur's Gate live-action series with Dwayne Johnson as Minsc. :|

 

[ART!]

[...] with Netflix we'll get The Witcher and Conan (If they can find a good showrunner for Conan. They did have the guy that did Spartacus at one point in talks over a year ago but that didn't pan out.)

I don't know of any other big fantasy IP's are getting a tv show, but with these four plus D&D the fantasy genre is finally getting some shows that will be good for the genre to watch.

Conan if done right, could make for an amazing show.

I mean, the odds are at least one of them will be good, right?

Despite being a lifelong Tolkien fan, of all those listed above I want a faithful Conan series.

 

[Gadget]

I have heard...not great things about Amazon's The Lord of the Rings show, though I will wait and reserve judgement. Not the least of which is that the show runners seem to have almost zero experience and shows under their belt. It sounds like they really want GOT part II, which might not be that bad, but is not really tLOTR. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding though.

As for the Conan series, I'm not as big a Conan fan as others may be, but it seems to be that it would be hard to pull off a proper Conan in today's more sensitive environment.

 

[ART!]

I have heard...not great things about Amazon's The Lord of the Rings show, though I will wait and reserve judgement. Not the least of which is that the show runners seem to have almost zero experience and shows under their belt. It sounds like they really want GOT part II, which might not be that bad, but is not really tLOTR. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding though.

As for the Conan series, I'm not a big a Conan fan as others may be, but it seems to be that it would be hard to pull off a proper Conan in today's more sensitive environment.

I think there was a discussion in another forum when the Conan show was announced, and the conclusion was that the insensitivity that people attribute to those works is either mostly not there and/or really easy to tweak without watering down anything.

I assume the Forgotten Realms will be the setting for a D&D show, if only because of all the videogames (and boardgames!) set there.

Would we want to see "low-level" heroes who get markedly better as the series progresses, or characters who are already really good at what they do?

What assortment of races do you want to see, and do you think is likely? Same for classes.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

We have to remember the original James Bond from the books wouldn't be "politically correct" even in the past decades.

The serie will be not only for D&D fandom but mainly for people who know nothing about D&D. Cinema studios notice this is not about a lot of FXs but telling a good story with interesting characters, and more of one creator has forgotten the difference between being cool or other annoying and boring Mary Sue/Marthy Stu.

A famous franchise is not enough. Blade the vampire-hunter was a true blockbuster in the cinemas, but the teleserie was only one season (and ended with a cliffhunger). Buffy the vampire-slayer was not a smash-hit in the cinemas, but the teleserie is a classic.

D&D as TV show doesn't need the same group of heroes, not even for one season. Even "hidden pilot episodes" may be possible.

And an action-live TV show has to offer something you can't find in a isekai fantasy anime.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I think there was a discussion in another forum when the Conan show was announced, and the conclusion was that the insensitivity that people attribute to those works is either mostly not there and/or really easy to tweak without watering down anything.

Agree. The Conan novels are much less gratuitous than Game of Thones, or the James Bond novels, as @LuisCarlos17f mentions.

I assume the Forgotten Realms will be the setting for a D&D show, if only because of all the videogames (and boardgames!) set there.

I wouldn't be surprised if they created a setting for the show, or went with Greyhawk. FR is a bit too high magic for a TV budget IMO.

Would we want to see "low-level" heroes who get markedly better as the series progresses, or characters who are already really good at what they do?

The hero's journey is at the core of D&D.

What assortment of races do you want to see, and do you think is likely? Same for classes.

I doubt we will see short races, unless played by short actors. Also, fully CGI party members (like Rocket Racoon), will be avoided for budget. Dragonborn would probably take too long in make-up. Elves are tired. I would rate a tiefling as most probable non-human party member.