I noticed that so far nobody has voted for the more "generic fantasy" settings (Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms). Yet that seems to be what they keep giving us - generic fantasy movies labeled "D&D".
I always thought what makes it unique was that it's a setting which is struggling towards neutrality. Where extremes of good and evil are held as examples of things to avoid. You know, like the kingpriests and the dragonarmies. But I guess that doesn't translate that well.Dragonlance looks purely medieval (though the dragon army is what makes it so unique).
Other - Non-descript, pseudo-medieval.
Recognized by whom? There are not enough people who know what a Forgotten Realm is to make that factor into the movie's success.While I'd personally like to see a Greyhawk-based movie (Elemental Evil, anyone?), what I want is for an actual successful D&D movie. For that to happen I think it needs to be a popular, recognized setting with popular, recognized characters, and I think that means Forgotten Realms.