Shawn Levy Provides Update on Netflix D&D Show

Shawn Levy has provided a brief update on the Forgotten Realms series in development at Netflix. Speaking to Collider ahead of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, Levy was asked about the progress of the new Dungeons & Dragons series that he's producing for Netflix. "I think that the reason it's taken so long and the reason why it is a challenging process is you're not adapting story IP," Levy told Collider. "You're adapting a world and a lexicon and a spirit, but story needs to be invented largely from scratch. And it needs to be invented in a way that feels organic to everything that's great about DnD. So that one is in very active every day chipping-away-at-it development at Netflix."

Announced earlier this year, Netflix is developing a live-action television series titled the Forgotten Realms. No further details were provided about the nature of the series, but Levy's comments suggest that they're developing an original storyline as opposed to adapting a novel or adventure story into TV. Levy is serving as the producer of the series, with Drew Crevello serving as the writer/showrunner.

Collider also asked if the Forgotten Realms series would move forward, Levy replied "I really hope so. I really really hope so."

 

[JDazzle]

Don't really want to pile on about the "relatively obscure" comment regarding Dune, Foundation, and Wheel of Time so I won't quote it, BUUUUT...

That comment is a great reminder to all us folks (old or not) that it doesn't take long for an incredibly popular book (series or not) to evade knowledge of its existence to novice members of our community.

Also, the comment about Drizz't not being relevant to people under 50 (which is even more weird considering that I am under 50 and his books were still be actively written and published well into my 20s so maybe lower that bar to 40?)

Tangent: Dragonriders of Pern would do REALLY well nowadays, at least based on the resurgence of Sci-Fi/Fantasy hybrid stories and the success of Fourth Wing (which, I am led to believe, is pure romantasy). We should start promoting it ourselves, if only because it would also smooth the way for a potential Dragonlance series/film

 

[JDazzle]

Romantasy is certainly where WotC needs to be looking to grow the brand.

In the next episode of DRAGONLANCE!: Will Tanis and Laurana reconcile? Or will they let their feelings damn the world of Krynn FOREVER!?

 

[Parmandur]

Also, the comment about Drizzt not being relevant to people under 50 (which is even more weird considering that I am under 50 and his books were still be actively written and published well into my 20s so maybe lower that bar to 40?)

I mean, a new one literally is juat dropping, it is an ongoing series. And the people I know who read ot are in their 20s or 30s, actually...

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Tangent: Dragonriders of Pern would do REALLY well nowadays, at least based on the resurgence of Sci-Fi/Fantasy hybrid stories and the success of Fourth Wing (which, I am led to believe, is pure romantasy). We should start promoting it ourselves, if only because it would also smooth the way for a potential Dragonlance series/film

I think we've memory holed a lot of the elements of the Pern books that wouldn't play well today.

 

[JDazzle]

I mean, a new one literally is juat dropping, it is an ongoing series. And the people I know who read ot are in their 20s or 30s, actually...

Damn!

And didn't they do some deus ex machina to keep Drizz't's friends alive for the various time jumps in the FR lore between source books? Drizz't and friends show up everywhere nowadays, even the Magic FR set!

 

[JDazzle]

I think we've memory holed a lot of the elements of the Pern books that wouldn't play well today.

This is definitely off-topic (and it's entirely my fault) but can you share what parts of Pern would go over well today? I remember it holding up pretty well when I re-read it about 5 years ago...

edit: WAIT! I remembered one... not going to list it here, but yeah... nevermind... they COULD easily remove this one pervasive part of the world but yeaaahhhh...

 

[GreyLord]

I'm aware, but perhaps the brand manager role is intended to be a go-between between WotC and a writer guy like Crevello.

Kind of like how Lucasfilm has Pablo Hidalgo managing Star Wars lore but guys like Dave Filoni are still literally running the shows.

Based on how that's worked out (conflicts galore) I don't think I'd ever want someone like Mr. Hildalgo ever coming close to controlling lore in anything. The lack of consistent lore and conflicts within it (after they "wiped" the lore originally, including some of the items considered A Canon by Lucas from what I understand...aka...his books and radio drama written with others) seem particularlly bad.

Hopefully they find someone who can do a better job than that.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

In the next episode of DRAGONLANCE!: Will Tanis and Laurana reconcile? Or will they let their feelings damn the world of Krynn FOREVER!?

That’s not really modern Romantacy, which is generally more sexually explicit, and would be Laurana having to choose between a moody half elf supporting character or some smoothly charming NPC (there isn’t really anyone in the original chronicles that fits the bill).

 

[JDazzle]

That’s not really modern Romantacy, which is generally more sexually explicit, and would be Laurana having to choose between a moody half elf supporting character or some smoothly charming NPC (there isn’t really anyone in the original chronicles that fits the bill).

Oh, yeah, I'm aware of how sexual explicit that genre can be... It was quite a shock when I discovered that, let me tell you!

But clearly you are overlooking the fact that Tasslehoff must be turned into a charming rogue who becomes Tanis' rival for Laurana's heart!

 

[Scribe]

But clearly you are overlooking the fact that Tasslehoff must be turned into a charming rogue who becomes Tanis' rival for Laurana's heart!