D&D General What Are Dragonlance's Weis & Hickman, and Actor Manganiello Cooking Up?

Actor and D&D superfan Joe Manganiello and Dragonlance co-author Tracy Hickman have both posted a cryptic image on their respective social medias showing themselves, along with Margaret Weis standing together in front of a large dragon statue at Wizards of the Coast's offices in Renton, Washington.

Hickman's image was accompanied by the words "Something is coming...", and in Manganiello's case "WE'RE BACK", to which Wizards of the Coast replied "Welcome back to the table!" A later photograph from Weis also included Laura Hickman and Dan Ayoub, who was named head of Dungeons & Dragons back in July of this year.

The posts have sparked speculation as to what they might mean, with guesses ranging from a revival of Manganiello's Dragonlance TV show project--which was no longer in development after he stated in February 2024 that "Dragonlance is not a property WotC are interested in developing further currently"--to a new Dragonlance-based D&D adventure.

Weis and Hickman co-wrote a new Dragonlance trilogy in recent years following a legal dust-up with Wizards of the Coast which was ultimately dismissed without prejudice, so it would seem that any bad blood from the dispute has been left in the past.

The question now remains--what are they all cooking up this time?

 

[Morrus]

I meant in general. WoT is probably the biggest non-Tolkien fantasy ever (maybe Stormlight has surpassed in in sales?) and still could not hold an audience.

You don’t make TV shows and movies for the book audience. You make them for the mainstream, who you assume are not familiar with the IP.

Most people were not familiar with Iron Man, or Westeros, or, hell, even Middle Earth. Most people had not read a James Bond book when they made Doctor No.

When you make a show or movie like this you treat it like it’s a new property.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Dragonlance. And if I was 12 again, I imagine I would be ecstatic for a show. But DL does not really stand up to an even cursory critical examination.

I disagree. I'm rereading them now (along with the Lost Chronicles, so all 6 books in order*). They are still enjoyable. I got a particular kick out of how they addressed the Hauberk issue. For those not in the know, in the original Chronicles, a few times they typed "hauberk" when they meant "halberd". It was...odd to read Flint break the shaft of a hauberk and ready himself for battle. Well, in the Lost Chronicles (written years later), they address that by Theros saying "in dwarvish, the word hauberk is very close to halberd, so it was just a slip of the tongue"

*

1. Dragons of Autumn Twilight in its entirety
2. Dragons of the Dwarven Depths
3. Dragons of Winter Night up until the end of book 1
4. Dragons of the Highlord Skies
5. Dragons of Winter Night book 2
6. Dragons of Spring Dawning up until the ship goes down in the Maelstrom
7. Dragons of the Hourglass Mage
8. Finish Spring Dawning

 

[Parmandur]

I disagree. I'm rereading them now (along with the Lost Chronicles, so all 6 books in order). They are still enjoyable. I got a particular kick out of how they addressed the Hauberk issue. For those not in the know, in the original Chronicles, a few times they typed "hauberk" when they meant "halberd". It was...odd to read Flint break the shaft of a hauberk and ready himself for battle. Well, in the Lost Chronicles (written years later), they address that by Theros saying "in dwarvish, the work hauberk is very close to halberd, so it was just a slip of the tongue"

Confusion about polearms is ironic, considering this was 1E.

 

[Nikosandros]

Confusion about polearms is ironic, considering this was 1E.

Yes, but what is the weapon-vs-AC-adjustment for attacking with a halberd a target wearing a hauberk?

 

[Umbran]

I'm a fan of the books, and I loved the TV series, changes and all. Some of the changes I noticed, I didn't care for, some of the changes I thought were well done, but overall, really enjoyed the series.

I never read the WoT books, but I was vaguely aware of them because many around me read them. I liked the show.

The only reason I didn't watch all of it was that my wife, who is fan of the books, REALLY didn't like what they did with Matt, so we stopped.

So, there's kind of the gamut, there.

 

[Umbran]

Yes, but what is the weapon-vs-AC-adjustment for attacking with a halberd a target wearing a hauberk?

If they are asking that in the middle of a fight scene in the Dragonlance show, that's probably a problem.

By which I mean, folks, keep it to the topic, please?

 

[Sacrosanct]

In what way? I may have to dig the books out its been awhile and I'm sure my memory has some pretty major gaps.

The aforementioned cultural appropriation of the Plains people, and the Gully Dwarves are probably the two biggest things.

 

[nyvinter]

I disagree. I'm rereading them now (along with the Lost Chronicles, so all 6 books in order*). They are still enjoyable.

I do think that might also depend on nostalgia? I tried reading the books for the first time during the start of the pandemic and well, I did not get far. Which might be a problem if you want to make a show that is appealing to a lot of people and not just niche D&D players.

 

[Scribe]

The aforementioned cultural appropriation of the Plains people, and the Gully Dwarves are probably the two biggest things.

I mean...it is what it is regarding the Plains people, I can see some adjustment without it doing damage to the story. The Gully Dwarves would likely be softened into a more lovable take (who doesnt love Bupa anyway?) without focus on any of the more questionable bits.

I dont see either as a major problem with some adjustment or simply lack of focus.

 

[Parmandur]

I never read the WoT books, but I was vaguely aware of them because many around me read them. I liked the show.

The only reason I didn't watch all of it was that my wife, who is fan of the books, REALLY didn't like what they did with Matt, so we stopped.

So, there's kind of the gamut, there.

It is more vexing to me almost that it is a pretty good show that is well made.

Mat is a very difficult character, in the books he is a majorly complex bundle of loveavle vices and questionable virtues in terms of psychology. Sort of a classic Leiber-esque Sword & Sorcery or Western reluctantly gunslinger trying to ride out being in an epic fantasy story.