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."

 

[Paul Farquhar]

And the setting Birthright could be perfect for a new romantasy novel.

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

 

[Parmandur]

I’m not sure copies sold is a good guide. I’m pretty sure there are a pile of soppy romance novels that have outsold all of them!

In terms of quality, not necessarily: but to call Wheel of Time, Dune, or Foundation obscure is...not accurate.

Wheel of Time and Duje actually achieve the level of mainstream successes, for novels. Wheel of Time was at the time a massive "four quadrant" hit (meaning younger people and women read it, not juat old dudes).

 

[Parmandur]

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

Based on WotC Instagram activity, someone in corporate agrees.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Based on WotC Instagram activity, someone in corporate agrees.

Frankly, they are still a little slow on the uptake. Despite progress, D&D players are still majority male. That’s a bunch of potential D&D players to market too.

 

[Parmandur]

Frankly, they are still a little slow on the uptake. Despite progress, D&D players are still majority male. That’s a bunch of potential D&D players to market too.

At this point, most of the people I know in person playing are women.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

I’m not sure copies sold is a good guide. I’m pretty sure there are a pile of soppy romance novels that have outsold all of them!

And it would make more sense for WotC to chase that market than the shrinking market of Drizzt fans.

 

[Parmandur]

And it would make more sense for WotC to chase that market than the shrinking market of Drizzt fans.

More close to home, BG3 has sales well in excess of the individual Driz'zt books, from what I have seen indications of.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

The Brasilian soap-opera "God save the King" could show us an idea of how would be a Birthright romantasy story.


It is possible but the key is to write a right plot, and the best writters would rather start from zero with their own IPs. And it couldn't be only a couple but more to allow parallel subplots.

And WotC has to choose about possible retcons within the setting, for example the PC species. Now the world of Cerilia will have to include aasimars and goliaths yes or yes but maybe the dragonborns were different (their breath attack would be fire and acid, no more options). And the wildspace should be designed. We could say the gnomes are from other world, or from the Feywild.

Would the male character a shadar-kai because female readers like "bad guys"?

* And otome date-sim D&D videogame also could be possible but I would bet for Stryxhaven setting.

 

[TiQuinn]

I think the bigger issue with Drizz’t as the basis for the show is representing Dark elves as not elves in blackface (See the D&D episode of Community - if you can find it), and not have the effect look too corny. I don’t think it has anything to do with marketability (above notwithstanding) or popularity.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Yeah, it really is perfect for thisnpurpose: has identifiable lore and plenty of hooks, but no sacrosanct literary story or definite character arcs to bow down to. But, that means more work.

It really is so ironic that all these Hpllywood writers trample over the canon of established fantasy worlds with central stories, but struggle when presented with one that was specifically designed as a sandbox with a million possibilities without ever having to violate FR canon to do so.