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?

 

[pukunui]

I've never seen anyone without a complexion closer to white, go pale from any condition. Call it whatever you want, she has lighter skin, and in a few spots, a tan.

So actually, I'd argue ever single one of those passages suggests pale white/light skin tones.

Everyone can “go pale” due to a vasovagal response. It’s literally the blood draining from your head. It may be more noticeable on a white person with a tan, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who can go pale.

To me, Laurana’s got more of a Mediterranean complexion than a Germanic or Scandinavian one. Spaniards, Italians, and Greeks are all still “white”, even if they tend to have more of an olive complexion.

But Elmore generally painted Laurana like she was a pointy-eared Viking, so of course that’s how people think of her.

 

[Scribe]

To me, Laurana’s got more of a Mediterranean complexion than a Germanic or Scandinavian one. Spaniards, Italians, and Greeks are all still “white”, even if they tend to have more of an olive complexion.

So, any mentions of olive skin tones?

Or is it pale and/or tanned, with all the art showing a very typical pale blond elf?
To go with Tanis, a pale red haired half elf, who comes from the same culture?

Man why make it more difficult than it is?

And just to be clear, I'm openly biased towards keeping to the visual representation as established by the books AND the Elmore art.

Just so that is openly and clearly established, in case anyone thought that was not already clear.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who can go pale.

People with very dark skin tones tend to look more grey when they blanche.

To me, Laurana’s got more of a Mediterranean complexion than a Germanic or Scandinavian one.

"Tans easily" describes me too, is classed as Type 4 by the cosmetic industry and is associated with Mediterranean folk. Hence the family rumours that my great grandfather was a Greek sailor.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

People seem desperate to want to depict the characters as anything other than what they've been depicted traditionally.

The continent of Ansalon (where the novels are set) adjoins the south pole, so the native folk (esp in the south) are likely fair-skinned. The darker folk of Ansalon (northern Ergothians, Nordmaar, Kalidnay) all live at the north. Solace (the home of fully 50% of the Companions the Lance) is in Abanasinia, towards the south. If you are going to make anyone darker, it actually makes sense to make Sturm Brightblade, the Solamnian immigrant, it. Goes with his moustache.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

We are going to see changes in the same way other cinematographic adaptations of novels: Harry Potter, Hobbit & Lord of the Rings, Witcher, Song of Ice & Fire.. This can't be avoided and it doesn't mean it was a bad adaptation.

Some times the plot has to be altered because production reasons, for example an actress' pregnancy.

I guess the production will be a different continuity and then some different events could happen.

* If the producer was Netflix we could joke the production will be cancelled after the first season ended with a dammed cliffhinger. This could be a reason to bet the producer will be Disney.