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."

 

[Parmandur]

it’s probably more the other way around, if Netflix has an FR show, they do not also want all those other D&D shows. The ‘baskets’ in your analogy are the ones deciding which eggs they want, that is not up to Hasbro

Not necessarily: Netflix tried to sell the Tolkien estate on doing an MCU style approach to Lord of the Rings shows, like "Young aragorn" and "Cozy Hobbit Regency Shenanigans" that all tie together over multiple seasons of multiple shows (Dimon Tolkien preferred the ToP pitch, because it was do weird). Netflix would likely love a big multiverse style set of D&D shows that they get all Marvel with.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

If Netflix production becomes popular maybe they could get more licences, for example Planescape, Ravenloft or Spelljammer. Other option updating some old title, for example a serie about a chronomancer guild who try to stop a multiversal war among different timelines, or rewritting Jackandor, adding more factions and species.

 

[KYRON45]

The biggest obstacle to any D&D show will be that it's not about the game itself. I've been rebuked on this sentiment before but my flag is firmly planted on this hill. Also...the fans will drown it in their own inability to like even the things that they like.

To the casual viewer they will tune in and it will just seem like another LOTR, WOT, GOT knock off.
I wish any D&D related movie/series the best of luck but well all know the most vocal diehards of any fandom are...well....toxic.

 

[TiQuinn]

The biggest obstacle to any D&D show will be that it's not about the game itself. I've been rebuked on this sentiment before but my flag is firmly planted on this hill. Also...the fans will drown it in their own inability to like even the things that they like.

To the casual viewer they will tune in and it will just seem like another LOTR, WOT, GOT knock off.
I wish any D&D related movie/series the best of luck but well all know the most vocal diehards of any fandom are...well....toxic.

So what are you saying? If someone disagrees with you about the viability of a D&D show, it’s just toxic fandom?

 

[KYRON45]

So what are you saying? If someone disagrees with you about the viability of a D&D show, it’s just toxic fandom?

Not at all. Everyone can like or not like what they want how they want.
I am no one. I heave never expected anyone to agree with me on anything.
If you are unaware of the toxic traits of the vocal members of (insert fandom here) then you are free to disagree with me.

 

[TiQuinn]

Not at all. Everyone can like or not like what they want how they want.
I am no one. I heave never expected anyone to agree with me on anything.
If you are unaware of the toxic traits of the vocal members of (insert fandom here) then you are free to disagree with me.

I’m not saying toxicity doesn’t exist but are you really equating that to mere disagreement with one’s opinion?

 

[KYRON45]

I’m not saying toxicity doesn’t exist but are you really equating that to mere disagreement with one’s opinion?

It's telling that this is your takeaway.
My statement was simply pointing out that "true fans" can get a little carried away.

Have a great day.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

To the casual viewer they will tune in and it will just seem like another LOTR, WOT, GOT knock off.

The Forgotten Realms doesn’t really look like any of those, it’s much more high magic, fantastical landscapes and generally heightened. The trouble is, in live action, it will end up looking like those things (and Willow) or just ridiculous, like the WoW movie. In animation? Well, you would never mistake BG3 for any of those things.

 

[TiQuinn]

It's telling that this is your takeaway.
My statement was simply pointing out that "true fans" can get a little carried away.

Have a great day.

What’s telling is that’s the way you chose to approach the conversation at all.

 

[KYRON45]

What’s telling is that’s the way you chose to approach the conversation at all.

Your opinion is noted.