Where to Go...
Okay, when I saw this thread...and the subject title. I was ready to blow a gasket. But...I detain the rumblings.
It will not happen...because the D&D franchise is a victim of its own success. Too many much material to use. Fan-base is divided, and everyone wants to see their special favorite.
And not insult anyone...ye all know, that anything coming from the books, will not translate well to the screen. Unless, you have people like on the LOTR crew, that had the books on the set as a bible guide. You had one of several folks, who are fans of Tolkien's works. That helped a lot. And plus, the books have been around for a half century or more. And also, many people around the world know the material as well. Star Wars fits into this as well.
With Star Wars, a one man vision, that was supported and approved with the use of novels, comic books, toys, comic strips in newspapers. All exploded from the late '70s...and has been going through the channels every since.
D&D...Greyhawk, novels and a cartoon *the D&D cartoon*.
Forgotten Realms, novels, two comics books series. And yes, from the Commodore days, Pool of Radiance and the Curse of the Azure Bonds.
Dragonlance, possible comic book, saw the early reference somewhere. From the Commodore, Champions of Krynn. And of course...novels.
Between all these, then came some PC games, like Baldur's Gate series, Planescape for the PC, NeverWinter Nights *FR related* for the console Dungeon & Dragons Heroes, and the action hack and slash updated on others who I can't recall right now.
And please keep in mind, this is just an outline. All of this stuff, has been spottie, for the last 30 years. And the during the early days of D&D, the religious furbars were high back then.
In other words, to get the public interest, you must have to a constant reminder product, in the people's eye. For a long time, to maintain its presence.
LOTR and Star Wars has a 80+ year run on this...combine.
If you want to gain the people's interest again, or capture the next generation. Do the one thing, that will be neutral and will end the great cries, of who should be doing what to, to what film, who should be the actor.
Too much of an headache. And expectations will be too high. A nice setup for disappointment, for when and if, it bombs.
Solution...take the D&D cartoon, from the early '80s. Update it to reflect the changes on the product, but kept the original premise intact.
No one has to been paid great royalties fees *expect of course, those who hold the licenses*, no need to use a world of a known place, the setting will be generic, but useable, none the less. With animation, you can make anything ten times better, than making a live set, or using CGI (yeah...it could help with the art, or background fillings). That is one way of doing it.
And of giving the Brand, as Charles Ryan likes to say. The recognition needed (and still needs it, the current D&D movies are not helping). If you want to educate the masses, start from the beginning. Not from this corner, or that corner, or in the middle. The beginning. And it could get better, by that the same cartoon mentioned here, updated and all...go for as a series on TV.
But again, there is no thinking on that. Haven't seen it, yet.
The beginning, and until someone realizes that. Don't ever expect to see a piece of material from a D&D franchise to beat LOTR or Star Wars for the almighty dollar or the instant recognition.
That is what these heavy hitters did. And they has been steadily moving up, for years.
But...before someone comes back on me for this, saying,
well...they are doing that now...yes, they are. But they are facing stiff competition from other sources, who are also trying to capture the masses attention as well.
My response to that possible reply, would be this.
If they said right now, that the D&D cartoon will be back, updated and will run as a story for a few years or so...as long a season or two, or three is done.
Can you imagine, how many people will pay attention, if the proper care is given.
Just imagine.
LOTR will not be doing that. Lucas is, with a live action and anime shows. There is room out there, so why, isn't anyone taking the space?
*Climbing out the pit...sorry for the commentary and rant.
*
I think Kingsley's one of the finest actors alive, and he has made some beautiful, terrific films, but he's also made some real dogs. To quote Michael Caine: "I haven't seen Jaws 4, but I've seen the house it built, and it's beautiful." 
