D&D Movie/TV Ravenloft TV series in development by Netflix, Forgotten Realms TV series is dead

Netflix is developing a live-action series telling the origin story of Strahd von Zarovich. Deadline reports that Netflix is developing Ravenloft, a new Dungeons & Dragons TV series covering the origins of Strahd. The series is described as a “prestige fantasy series” combining adventure, gothic horror, and tragic romance. The series is being written and executive produced by John August, who has previously worked with Tim Burton on movies like Big Fish, Corpse Bride, and Dark Shadows. Also executive producing the series is Alfonso Cuaron and Hasbro Entertainment.

In addition to the news that a new Ravenloft TV series is in development, Deadline also reports that a planned Forgotten Realms series is “no longer in development” at Netflix. That show was announced last year and featured Drew Crevello writing and Shaun Levy executive producing. No reason was given for the abandonment of the show, but previous interviews indicated that the writers were struggling to come up with a strong narrative for the story.

 

[Vexorg]

Its not the protagonists that make a great D&D show it is the monsters and villains. Beholders, mind flayers, mimics, etc.

I 100% garuntee Strahd will be a sympathetic "it's not his fault, he was victim first" villain.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I 100% garuntee Strahd will be a sympathetic "it's not his fault, he was victim first" villain.

Do you consider Tony Soprano or Walter White victims?

Those are the two archetypal antiheroes for American television and I don't know anyone would consider either of those guys to be anything but the villains of their stories. (It took Walter White less than three weeks to go from cancer diagnosis to his first premeditated murders.)

 

[beta-ray]

they said exiting and new, not ‘rehash’

Existing.

I can't wait for it to change hands and bring back legends so we can watch the adventures of Luuke Skywalker.

 

[Zardnaar]

Existing.

I can't wait for it to change hands and bring back legends so we can watch the adventures of Luuke Skywalker.

Read the book with Luuke in it? Its very goid and the set up is tied back to the OT.
. That trilogy was a lot better than what Disney served up.

 

[beta-ray]

Read the book with Luuke in it? Its very goid and the set up is tied back to the OT.
. That trilogy was a lot better than what Disney served up.

in your opinion. Athough the Thrawn books are widely enjoyed, the only legends books I ever enjoyed were the X-Wing ones. So to each their own.

 

[beta-ray]

I'm not very interested in Ravenloft so my interest in the series is very low (I dislike vampire stories in general). Ravenloft seems to be pretty well-liked so I don't think it is an entirely dumb decision, but it's not a "day one" watch for me. Would have prefered a Forgotten Realms series, but that's just me.

 

[Zardnaar]

in your opinion. Athough the Thrawn books are widely enjoyed, the only legends books I ever enjoyed were the X-Wing ones. So to each their own.

Wraith or Rogue squadron?

 

[THEMNGMNT]

There are many reasons why the FR series might have been spiked. But they all come down to one thing: the creatives and the execs couldn't agree on an approach. Maybe the execs were unreasonable. Maybe the creatives were unreasonable. Maybe it was a budget issue. Maybe there was a similar show with a different IP in development, and that one was better. We will never know.

So, while FR has a multitude of stories that would be amazing to see onscreen (I have a few ideas myself!) it is a very, very broad "brief". I mean, it could be literally any kind of fantasy story. That's both a strength and a weakness.

In contrast, a Strahd show is very clearly defined: medieval fantasy Dracula. Done. That's easy to pitch and market.

John August, in addition to being an accomplished screenwriter and seemingly nice guy, is also the cohost of Scriptnotes, probably the most influential podcast on professional screenwriting. His cohost is Craig Mazin, the writer of Chernobyl, the Last of Us, and the announced Baldur's Gate 3 show. Mazin is also a player in August's D&D game. So, yeah, the writer of this show is a DM. Huzzah!

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Netflix, bahahha… get ready for the most spiteful mean spirited disrespectful, pile of crap. Once they get a hold of an IP that has a long-standing fan base their main goal is to destroy it "subvert expectations" and rewrite it for some mythical modern audience, and it will be an absolute failure, just you wait. And wotc will just love it!

Witcher 2.0 coming in fast!

WotC already mishandles Ravenloft terribly, so with their and Netflix's powers combined you can prepare yourself for something absolutely terrible. Hurrah!

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Domains of Dread has Strahd being born in the year 299 of the Barovian Calendar, and turning into a vampire in 351, when he's in his early fifties. Hopefully they'll cast someone who's roughly that old (and looks it).

WotC has no interest in fidelity to any pre-5E information about Strahd.