So what exactly could a D&D movie bring to the screen that hasn't already been done?


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The title says it all.

Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and a lot of other movies have been there done that. I remember something about that Seventh Son movie that came out. Looked very much like a D&D type of movie but it looks like it got bad reviews.

Hasbro is so focused on a movie that I believe they aren't really worried about the D&D TTRPG game itself, but what exactly could a D&D movie bring that other movies have not? I mean we already have those other god awful movies that people haven't forgotten.

Do you think they could pull off a blockbuster?

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Not likely.

Might manage a passable summer film.


A block buster D&D movie would indeed be tough. I feel what the older (and indeed lack luster) movies lacked was emotional investment, and character development. As one shot deals (for cripes sake the wizardess elf was literally the same one from the mini adventure that 3.0 had with pregens) they drew to heavily on what already existed and took not effort to create a new and detailed set of characters to then do something new. The first movies were so derivative that they were painful.

So what should Hasbro do to make a successful and good D&D film. Use some bloody original ideas and characters, make them realistic, not tropes, and lose the turn the game into a movie style, and try to make something that stands on its own merits as a story.

That said, this is much easier said then done...

Sovereign Court

It'd take a budget, a writing talent, and an earnest desire to make it happen correctly. Those things are in supply, but whether they shall be in proximity for such a project is a sticky wicket indeed.


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On a more personal note, I would LOVE to see The Companions of the Hall in a set of movies. I would much prefer the pre-Gauntylgrim books of R A Salvatore's much beloved series rather than the newer stories. Would that be a tall order, heck yeah, would it be worth it, hech yeah!


Great, now I want to create and play a gnome who is addicted to candy named Sticky Wicket...


Need a trilogy, based upon one of the great classic adventure series...

T-Series: Village of Hommlet & Temple of Elemental Evil

S-Series: Tomb of Horrors, White Plume Mountain, Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

GDQ Series; Against the Giants, Vault of the Drow, Queen of the Demonweb Pits

Just examples, but I'm sure you get the gist...

Sovereign Court

GM_Beernorg wrote:
Great, now I want to create and play a gnome who is addicted to candy named Sticky Wicket...

You say that as though it were a bad thing.


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All very good series Rankarak, I love White Plume Mountain and its cousins, and the novels they spawned are also pretty darn great, Escella the Faerie, "No one touches the faerie!" And who can ever forget Cinders!

@ Lorathorn, not a bad thing, not at all. However last time there was a candy obsession by one of my characters (a Pixie as it where) things got, interesting. Seems the rest of the party was not pleased to be paid in sugary goodness and became rather..upset.


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Forever Slayer wrote:

The title says it all.

Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and a lot of other movies have been there done that. I remember something about that Seventh Son movie that came out. Looked very much like a D&D type of movie but it looks like it got bad reviews.

Hasbro is so focused on a movie that I believe they aren't really worried about the D&D TTRPG game itself, but what exactly could a D&D movie bring that other movies have not? I mean we already have those other god awful movies that people haven't forgotten.

Do you think they could pull off a blockbuster?

I didn't realize their was a only a specific number of big screen fantasy movies that were allowed to be made.

To make a similar point, why do we need more comic book movies? Don't we have enough? Yet in 2016 we are, from my superficial glance, getting 6 new superhero movies from 3 studios (Deadpool, Gambit, Age of Apocalypse, Suicide Squad, Batman vs Superman, Dr Strange, and Civil War).

The LotRs, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones have all been super successful, which shows there is money to be made in the epic fantasy genre, as long as you take the material seriously and don't run afoul of any of the typical big budget movie problems.

Look at it this way: Hasbro has made billions (yes, billions) on Transformers, a property about robots that fight each and turn into trucks. Hell they turned Battleship and the Ouija Board into (bad) movies. Compared to those properties, producing a big budget DnD movie should be a cinch, since you have numerous settings, adventures, novels, and rule books to pull from.

Also, the relative merit of the older movies really isn't a factor that needs much consideration. The average movie watcher at this point has forgotten those movies exist, and there are far far more visible franchise properties that have been rebooted in even less time. Also, Hasbro can provide a far better budget and better talent than anything sweet pea can produce.

So yeah, Hasbro can make a ton of money on this property. Whether they can make a good movie is another story, and honestly I am not sure. I think a lot of it is going to come down to who they get to direct the project, and how interested/knowledgeable that person is regarding fantasy/DnD.

Grand Lodge

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I would love it if they did sort of a Gamers-style set up, where it starts with the kids in the basement, or at some kind of Adventurers League event that sit at the table, and the DM begins running.

The guy that is the DM becomes the narrator of the movie, and then you have the movie shift into the imaginations of the characters.

I think it could work, AND could get people excited for the game itself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts...


I'd like a trilogy:

1. Against the Giants
2. Descent Into The Depths of The Earth
3. Queen of the Demonweb Pits

I dont particularly expect a fantasy movie to be "groundbreaking" or do something that's new - more of the same, but with Llolth, Drow and Illithids is what I'd like to see. I like superhero movies too - but they're basically all the same (as are James Bond movies, romantic comedies or a whole host of other genres).

I think Hasbro would do well (and has the clout) if they partnered with a major movie network. Whether D&D is strong enough to warrant the investment of money is another matter (I'm skeptical they'd be able to raise sufficient funds to make a decent movie, to be frank).


An old-school, paranoid and claustrophobic dungeon-crawl. Like Tomb of Horrors or something. Take some cues from movies like Alien, Das Boot, Diehard, Predator, Event Horizon -- movies with action, suspense and horror qualities.

Or...

Do a movie based on one of their more unique campaign settings, like Dark Sun, Ravenloft, Planescape or Spelljammer. Of course, then people will be looking for a campaign guide for that setting and since WotC apparently isn't planning to release campaign guides this won't happen.

But, really, how awesome would a Dark Sun or Planescape movie be?

Grand Lodge

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Aeshuura wrote:

I would love it if they did sort of a Gamers-style set up, where it starts with the kids in the basement, or at some kind of Adventurers League event that sit at the table, and the DM begins running.

The guy that is the DM becomes the narrator of the movie, and then you have the movie shift into the imaginations of the characters.

I think it could work, AND could get people excited for the game itself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

That's a movie that you and maybe 6 other people would buy tickets for.

I wouldn't be one of them.


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LazarX wrote:
Aeshuura wrote:

I would love it if they did sort of a Gamers-style set up, where it starts with the kids in the basement, or at some kind of Adventurers League event that sit at the table, and the DM begins running.

The guy that is the DM becomes the narrator of the movie, and then you have the movie shift into the imaginations of the characters.

I think it could work, AND could get people excited for the game itself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

That's a movie that you and maybe 6 other people would buy tickets for.

I wouldn't be one of them.

It could be done well. I'm thinking of the framing sequence for Princess Bride.

But it would hard as hell to pull off. Much harder than just doing a good straight fantasy movie.


Ashoka wrote:
An old-school, paranoid and claustrophobic dungeon-crawl. Like Tomb of Horrors or something. Take some cues from movies like Alien, Das Boot, Diehard, Predator, Event Horizon -- movies with action, suspense and horror qualities.

Yep. I'd like that too.


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Steve Geddes wrote:


I think Hasbro would do well (and has the clout) if they partnered with a major movie network. Whether D&D is strong enough to warrant the investment of money is another matter (I'm skeptical they'd be able to raise sufficient funds to make a decent movie, to be frank).

I don't see this being an issue. Hasbro has their own studios, and they have collaborated with Dreamworks, Paramount, and Universal to produce movies around Transformers, GI Joe, Ouija, and Battleship.

I mean...Hasbro is making a JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS movie that is due out next year, and they have movies such as Candyland, Monopoly, and Hungry Hungry Hippos in the "production que/development Hell" for theatrical release live action movies.

If studio execs are willing to greenlight development on HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS...do think the financing a big budget fantasy D&D movie would give them pause.

That we will get a live action, Hasbro-backed DnD movie is, for me personally, just a question of when, not if, and really only dependent on the outcome of the lawsuit with Sweetpea.


LazarX wrote:
Aeshuura wrote:

I would love it if they did sort of a Gamers-style set up, where it starts with the kids in the basement, or at some kind of Adventurers League event that sit at the table, and the DM begins running.

The guy that is the DM becomes the narrator of the movie, and then you have the movie shift into the imaginations of the characters.

I think it could work, AND could get people excited for the game itself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

That's a movie that you and maybe 6 other people would buy tickets for.

I wouldn't be one of them.

Yeah I kind of agree. It would be an incredibly niche movie that would only appeal to gamers, which isn't exactly an enormous market. I am pretty sure what ever DnD movie we get will be a PG13 high fantasy romp, probably in the vein of the Hobbit movies.


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Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give. They would need to find a director that will do D&D justice (like what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings), either license it out to a decent studio (or go the Marvel route and make an in-company studio), and fork over a big enough chunk of money to where it doesn't look like either a SyFy made for TV movie or something a beginner student would make.

I honestly don't think Hasbro would dare do that. Also, they need a good story. There are plenty good ones from past adventures as well as the novels. I would love to see the War of the Lance from Dragonlance done justice (not that horrendous animated travesty), but since D&D is all about the damn Forgotten Realms, I don't see that happening.

But I don't see Hasbro actually putting in the required resources to make a good D&D movie, despite them saying they want to expand the "brand" into movies and/or TV shows.

Scarab Sages

See attached.


MMCJawa wrote:
Steve Geddes wrote:


I think Hasbro would do well (and has the clout) if they partnered with a major movie network. Whether D&D is strong enough to warrant the investment of money is another matter (I'm skeptical they'd be able to raise sufficient funds to make a decent movie, to be frank).

I don't see this being an issue. Hasbro has their own studios, and they have collaborated with Dreamworks, Paramount, and Universal to produce movies around Transformers, GI Joe, Ouija, and Battleship.

I mean...Hasbro is making a JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS movie that is due out next year, and they have movies such as Candyland, Monopoly, and Hungry Hungry Hippos in the "production que/development Hell" for theatrical release live action movies.

If studio execs are willing to greenlight development on HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS...do think the financing a big budget fantasy D&D movie would give them pause.

That we will get a live action, Hasbro-backed DnD movie is, for me personally, just a question of when, not if, and really only dependent on the outcome of the lawsuit with Sweetpea.

I'm pretty confident there'll be another one too. I think it would need serious money to be any good though (or more accurately - I think if they did it without serious money, it wouldnt be very good).

I must admit I'm not fussy about such things though - I dont expect fine art and poor acting doesnt seem to bug me as much as it does most. I'll no doubt enjoy whatever they come up with.

Sovereign Court

It would make a certain amount of sense to see that the D&D brand could be in such a promotion cycle to prepare for an eventual movie release. The other movies that have come out, like Battleship, were predicated on the brand name recognition alone, and actually made money for that reason.

That having been said, I don't think that WotC or Hasbro are thinking this far ahead with D&D. Were that the case, however, I would be pleasantly impressed.


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War of the Lance would be fracking AMAZING! That trilogy and The Legend of Huma were the books that got me into fantasy lit at the age of 11 or so. Thus at least for me a well done three movie set of Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragons of Winter Night, and Dragons of Spring Dawning would make me very very happy. Viggo for Tanis (pretty good actor, great beard)!

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
MMCJawa wrote:
Steve Geddes wrote:


I think Hasbro would do well (and has the clout) if they partnered with a major movie network. Whether D&D is strong enough to warrant the investment of money is another matter (I'm skeptical they'd be able to raise sufficient funds to make a decent movie, to be frank).

I don't see this being an issue. Hasbro has their own studios, and they have collaborated with Dreamworks, Paramount, and Universal to produce movies around Transformers, GI Joe, Ouija, and Battleship.

I mean...Hasbro is making a JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS movie that is due out next year, and they have movies such as Candyland, Monopoly, and Hungry Hungry Hippos in the "production que/development Hell" for theatrical release live action movies.

If studio execs are willing to greenlight development on HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS...do think the financing a big budget fantasy D&D movie would give them pause.

That we will get a live action, Hasbro-backed DnD movie is, for me personally, just a question of when, not if, and really only dependent on the outcome of the lawsuit with Sweetpea.

Everything that you've sited has a far far larger audience than some hobby game being played mainly by middle-aged gamers. Every single D+D movie has been an utter failure at the box office. With numbers like that, don't expect a conservative corporate culture to start throwing money at a D+D movie.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Adjule wrote:
To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give.

You forget one other thing. It would require an audience that does not exist.


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LazarX wrote:
Adjule wrote:
To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give.
You forget one other thing. It would require an audience that does not exist.

That's not true. There's not a big enough built in audience that will see a D&D movie just because it's a D&D movie, but that doesn't mean a good fantasy movie drawing on the D&D property won't find an audience.

Fantasy has been hot and it hasn't just been those who were already fans of the property it was based on.

Grand Lodge

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thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
Adjule wrote:
To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give.
You forget one other thing. It would require an audience that does not exist.

That's not true. There's not a big enough built in audience that will see a D&D movie just because it's a D&D movie, but that doesn't mean a good fantasy movie drawing on the D&D property won't find an audience.

Fantasy has been hot and it hasn't just been those who were already fans of the property it was based on.

Here's the question what is there about D+D that will bring a draw to a fantasy movie, as opposed to using a popular novel or big Named stars? I would submit to you that a movie with Dungeons and Dragons in it's title would do worse than a fantasy movie with a generic non-game based title, because of it's association with middle aged nerds.

Given that most of the folks here don't even PLAY D+D any more, what would draw even them?


LazarX wrote:
thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
Adjule wrote:
To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give.
You forget one other thing. It would require an audience that does not exist.

That's not true. There's not a big enough built in audience that will see a D&D movie just because it's a D&D movie, but that doesn't mean a good fantasy movie drawing on the D&D property won't find an audience.

Fantasy has been hot and it hasn't just been those who were already fans of the property it was based on.

Here's the question what is there about D+D that will bring a draw to a fantasy movie, as opposed to using a popular novel or big Named stars? I would submit to you that a movie with Dungeons and Dragons in it's title would do worse than a fantasy movie with a generic non-game based title, because of it's association with middle aged nerds.

Given that most of the folks here don't even PLAY D+D any more, what would draw even them?

Using a popular novel might well work better. No argument there. And there's no reason you couldn't use big name stars in a D&D movie, so that's a moot point.

And I did suggest the best approach would be working with one of their book properties.

I do suspect most of us here would be drawn, even those who don't play anymore or never did. It is the root of the hobby, even if we've moved on. Some, who have particularly strong negative reactions to WotC, would probably be turned off by it. I also think a lot of former players, dating back to the glory days, would be interested, if only for nostalgia reasons.

D&D really does have a pretty big name, far beyond active players. And as I said above, since we're talking Hasbro, it's what they have to sell - they can't sell the rights to "generic fantasy movie".

Grand Lodge

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Lorathorn wrote:

It would make a certain amount of sense to see that the D&D brand could be in such a promotion cycle to prepare for an eventual movie release. The other movies that have come out, like Battleship, were predicated on the brand name recognition alone, and actually made money for that reason.

Battleship made money, but gods, it was one of the most idiotic movies in creation.


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D&D as a brand has a wealth of novels to draw from, much like Marvel and the MCU.

You have

Dragonlance (and that entire timeline)
Various Forgotten Realms trilogies and stories (Drizzt is only one of many)
GreyHawk (Several stories there)
Darksun (With the Prism Pentad at least)
Mystara (dragonlord trilogy at least)

YOu have a LOT of novels and stories to base movies off of without even really having to call it straight up D&D.

Dragonlance itself could be a gold mine without even going to the others.

Remember, before we had the current MCU that is doing so great, we had Captain America (in the 90s), Nick Fury, and other movies that did not do so well on the cinematic scene.


I thought the original Dragonlance stories were good enough to make into movies. Though you'd have to have a creator who would want to stay true to the source material. Folks LOOOOVE Tolkien, but even he got watered down. With D&D/Dragonlance or anything it would easy to make crap because a director who hadn't grown up with it would just see it as a way to make a buck, and wouldn't be beholden to the source material. So it would likely suck, just like the cheap looking D&D movies suck. You can make good looking low budget movies, actually I liked Peter Jackson's earlier outings Fellowship, The Two Towers, before he got crazy with the CGI (the final battle in Return of the King, for example...)

Grand Lodge

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thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
Aeshuura wrote:

I would love it if they did sort of a Gamers-style set up, where it starts with the kids in the basement, or at some kind of Adventurers League event that sit at the table, and the DM begins running.

The guy that is the DM becomes the narrator of the movie, and then you have the movie shift into the imaginations of the characters.

I think it could work, AND could get people excited for the game itself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

That's a movie that you and maybe 6 other people would buy tickets for.

I wouldn't be one of them.

It could be done well. I'm thinking of the framing sequence for Princess Bride.

It worked for Princess Bride mainly because of Peter Falk's adaptable and powerful screen presence. And who could not wrap around the wholesome feeling of a lovable uncle reading stories to his sick nephew.

A bunch of neckbeards crouching in a game table in someone's basement is far less appealing.


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LazarX wrote:
thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
Aeshuura wrote:

I would love it if they did sort of a Gamers-style set up, where it starts with the kids in the basement, or at some kind of Adventurers League event that sit at the table, and the DM begins running.

The guy that is the DM becomes the narrator of the movie, and then you have the movie shift into the imaginations of the characters.

I think it could work, AND could get people excited for the game itself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

That's a movie that you and maybe 6 other people would buy tickets for.

I wouldn't be one of them.

It could be done well. I'm thinking of the framing sequence for Princess Bride.

It worked for Princess Bride mainly because of Peter Falk's adaptable and powerful screen presence. And who could not wrap around the wholesome feeling of a lovable uncle reading stories to his sick nephew.

A bunch of neckbeards crouching in a game table in someone's basement is far less appealing.

As I said, it would be hard to pull off. You could start by not starting with the most stereotypically awful way to approach it.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
Aeshuura wrote:

I would love it if they did sort of a Gamers-style set up, where it starts with the kids in the basement, or at some kind of Adventurers League event that sit at the table, and the DM begins running.

The guy that is the DM becomes the narrator of the movie, and then you have the movie shift into the imaginations of the characters.

I think it could work, AND could get people excited for the game itself.

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

That's a movie that you and maybe 6 other people would buy tickets for.

I wouldn't be one of them.

It could be done well. I'm thinking of the framing sequence for Princess Bride.

It worked for Princess Bride mainly because of Peter Falk's adaptable and powerful screen presence. And who could not wrap around the wholesome feeling of a lovable uncle reading stories to his sick nephew.

A bunch of neckbeards crouching in a game table in someone's basement is far less appealing.

As I said, it would be hard to pull off. You could start by not starting with the most stereotypically awful way to approach it.

Unfortunately, most better ways to approach it will still come off as a cheap Big Bang Theory knockoff. I don't think that even "Princess Bride" could succeed in the box office today. The movie culture is drawn from a far more cynical generation.

Sovereign Court

LazarX wrote:
Lorathorn wrote:

It would make a certain amount of sense to see that the D&D brand could be in such a promotion cycle to prepare for an eventual movie release. The other movies that have come out, like Battleship, were predicated on the brand name recognition alone, and actually made money for that reason.

Battleship made money, but gods, it was one of the most idiotic movies in creation.

Well of course. Blech...

But I'm trying to channel their potential mindset in building the brand up for said movie release, even if all they were doing was propping up a giant cardboard sign that said D&D to sell more tickets to a movie, the contents of which they neither know nor care.

Granted, I'm hoping that we don't just get another D&D movie: part the first, but I suppose that just depends on who wrote this Chainmail script, and if it will see the light of day.

But if they are at least trying to promote the brand to sell the movie that will promote the game line, it would at least seem more intelligent than the alternative; that being that they are just diversifying without much forethought.

But I'm being a speculative hypernerd, so forgive me for my indiscretion.

Liberty's Edge

I'd love to see a decent movie with a bigger budget do one of the G series modules. I think it would be a bit much to tackle all of them or maybe the Village of Hommlet.

Mike


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Adjule wrote:

To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give. They would need to find a director that will do D&D justice (like what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings), either license it out to a decent studio (or go the Marvel route and make an in-company studio), and fork over a big enough chunk of money to where it doesn't look like either a SyFy made for TV movie or something a beginner student would make.

I honestly don't think Hasbro would dare do that. Also, they need a good story. There are plenty good ones from past adventures as well as the novels. I would love to see the War of the Lance from Dragonlance done justice (not that horrendous animated travesty), but since D&D is all about the damn Forgotten Realms, I don't see that happening.

But I don't see Hasbro actually putting in the required resources to make a good D&D movie, despite them saying they want to expand the "brand" into movies and/or TV shows.

Battleship had a budget of $220 million. I don't see budget being a crucial problem here.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
MMCJawa wrote:
Adjule wrote:

To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give. They would need to find a director that will do D&D justice (like what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings), either license it out to a decent studio (or go the Marvel route and make an in-company studio), and fork over a big enough chunk of money to where it doesn't look like either a SyFy made for TV movie or something a beginner student would make.

I honestly don't think Hasbro would dare do that. Also, they need a good story. There are plenty good ones from past adventures as well as the novels. I would love to see the War of the Lance from Dragonlance done justice (not that horrendous animated travesty), but since D&D is all about the damn Forgotten Realms, I don't see that happening.

But I don't see Hasbro actually putting in the required resources to make a good D&D movie, despite them saying they want to expand the "brand" into movies and/or TV shows.

Battleship had a budget of $220 million. I don't see budget being a crucial problem here.

Keep in mind that Battleship the Game made as much or more money in one year, than the entire history of the RPG industry combined. The reason the movie drew people in is that many many more people played Battleship than roleplaying games and it had a strong nostalgia factor going for it.


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LazarX wrote:
MMCJawa wrote:
Adjule wrote:

To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give. They would need to find a director that will do D&D justice (like what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings), either license it out to a decent studio (or go the Marvel route and make an in-company studio), and fork over a big enough chunk of money to where it doesn't look like either a SyFy made for TV movie or something a beginner student would make.

I honestly don't think Hasbro would dare do that. Also, they need a good story. There are plenty good ones from past adventures as well as the novels. I would love to see the War of the Lance from Dragonlance done justice (not that horrendous animated travesty), but since D&D is all about the damn Forgotten Realms, I don't see that happening.

But I don't see Hasbro actually putting in the required resources to make a good D&D movie, despite them saying they want to expand the "brand" into movies and/or TV shows.

Battleship had a budget of $220 million. I don't see budget being a crucial problem here.
Keep in mind that Battleship the Game made as much or more money in one year, than the entire history of the RPG industry combined. The reason the movie drew people in is that many many more people played Battleship than roleplaying games and it had a strong nostalgia factor going for it.

I've got to think it's got less draw per person who played it though. It's not like there's anything to it that makes you think "story".


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LazarX wrote:
thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
Adjule wrote:
To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give.
You forget one other thing. It would require an audience that does not exist.

That's not true. There's not a big enough built in audience that will see a D&D movie just because it's a D&D movie, but that doesn't mean a good fantasy movie drawing on the D&D property won't find an audience.

Fantasy has been hot and it hasn't just been those who were already fans of the property it was based on.

Here's the question what is there about D+D that will bring a draw to a fantasy movie, as opposed to using a popular novel or big Named stars? I would submit to you that a movie with Dungeons and Dragons in it's title would do worse than a fantasy movie with a generic non-game based title, because of it's association with middle aged nerds.

Given that most of the folks here don't even PLAY D+D any more, what would draw even them?

It's not like this problem hasn't come up before. I imagine people made the same arguments about adapting comic properties back in the 90's.

Hell those arguments were heard on the forum just last year. Many posters (including I believe yourself, LazarX) were predicting that Guardians of the Galaxy was going to be a colossal bomb, since hardly anyway had ever heard of the property and so had no recognition. And then it proved to not only be a pretty well reviewed movie, but also a huge financial success.

Most of the big blockbuster entertainment being produced nowadays is largely a product of "nerd culture". To think that somehow DnD label is going to be repulse the general public in an age where films based around Kaiju, giant robots, and superheros make major buck, and where the broader culture itself is exposed to numerous fantasy tropes from video games and TV...is mind-boggling.


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thejeff wrote:
LazarX wrote:
MMCJawa wrote:
Adjule wrote:

To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give. They would need to find a director that will do D&D justice (like what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings), either license it out to a decent studio (or go the Marvel route and make an in-company studio), and fork over a big enough chunk of money to where it doesn't look like either a SyFy made for TV movie or something a beginner student would make.

I honestly don't think Hasbro would dare do that. Also, they need a good story. There are plenty good ones from past adventures as well as the novels. I would love to see the War of the Lance from Dragonlance done justice (not that horrendous animated travesty), but since D&D is all about the damn Forgotten Realms, I don't see that happening.

But I don't see Hasbro actually putting in the required resources to make a good D&D movie, despite them saying they want to expand the "brand" into movies and/or TV shows.

Battleship had a budget of $220 million. I don't see budget being a crucial problem here.
Keep in mind that Battleship the Game made as much or more money in one year, than the entire history of the RPG industry combined. The reason the movie drew people in is that many many more people played Battleship than roleplaying games and it had a strong nostalgia factor going for it.
I've got to think it's got less draw per person who played it though. It's not like there's anything to it that makes you think "story".

Yeah I cite Battleship because, the whole premise of adapting that particular game into a big budget movie about fighting aliens is utterly ridiculous. And it still made money, despite being an absolutely crappy movie.

DnD is a far easier sell IMHO


GM_Beernorg wrote:
War of the Lance would be fracking AMAZING! That trilogy and The Legend of Huma were the books that got me into fantasy lit at the age of 11 or so. Thus at least for me a well done three movie set of Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragons of Winter Night, and Dragons of Spring Dawning would make me very very happy. Viggo for Tanis (pretty good actor, great beard)!

Nah, he's too old. Go for Stephen Amell (Arrow). He has the right combination of brooding, athleticism, and intelligence for the role. And he can grow a good beard.

Grand Lodge

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MMCJawa wrote:
Hell those arguments were heard on the forum just last year. Many posters (including I believe yourself, LazarX) were predicting that Guardians of the Galaxy was going to be a colossal bomb, since hardly anyway had ever heard of the property and so had no recognition. And then it proved to not only be a pretty well reviewed movie, but also a huge financial success.

I will absolutely own up to that prediction, as did many of the reviewers themselves. Given Marvel's past history on bringing it's marginal characters to the screen, AND the pre-release trailers that were shown, I had no expectations of quality coming in.

And I was wrong. The reasons I was wrong had nothing to do with the amount of money that was thrown into production. (remember that the first Hulk as well as Daredevil and Green Lantern movies also tanked at the box office). The movie had the right things going for it, awesome cast.. including Dr. Who's Karen Gillam, and some great character actors... especially the folks who play the Nova Corp cop and Yondu. Excellent direction and great use of material.

I will even go to say that Guardians is my absolute favorite of the entire Marvel movies lineup by far, beating out Captain America.

The previous tries at a D+D movie arguably, had none of the factors that made Guardians a success. Those are things that you can't predict from budget alone.


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LazarX wrote:
MMCJawa wrote:
Hell those arguments were heard on the forum just last year. Many posters (including I believe yourself, LazarX) were predicting that Guardians of the Galaxy was going to be a colossal bomb, since hardly anyway had ever heard of the property and so had no recognition. And then it proved to not only be a pretty well reviewed movie, but also a huge financial success.

I will absolutely own up to that prediction, as did many of the reviewers themselves. Given Marvel's past history on bringing it's marginal characters to the screen, AND the pre-release trailers that were shown, I had no expectations of quality coming in.

And I was wrong. The reasons I was wrong had nothing to do with the amount of money that was thrown into production. (remember that the first Hulk as well as Daredevil and Green Lantern movies also tanked at the box office). The movie had the right things going for it, awesome cast.. including Dr. Who's Karen Gillam, and some great character actors... especially the folks who play the Nova Corp cop and Yondu. Excellent direction and great use of material.

I will even go to say that Guardians is my absolute favorite of the entire Marvel movies lineup by far, beating out Captain America.

The previous tries at a D+D movie arguably, had none of the factors that made Guardians a success. Those are things that you can't predict from budget alone.

There's also the fact that by the time the Guardians movie came out "Marvel movie" was itself a brand name with a really good track record. People may well have given it a chance based on that.

The Hulk being the only real exception to that track record.

Sovereign Court

I place the blame squarely on Ang Lee. It was exceptionally unfair to be handicapped by that legacy.


If there is a movie I can't see how it wouldn't be based around Drizzt really. There's a decent market there that don't play D&D.


LazarX wrote:
MMCJawa wrote:
Adjule wrote:

To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give. They would need to find a director that will do D&D justice (like what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings), either license it out to a decent studio (or go the Marvel route and make an in-company studio), and fork over a big enough chunk of money to where it doesn't look like either a SyFy made for TV movie or something a beginner student would make.

I honestly don't think Hasbro would dare do that. Also, they need a good story. There are plenty good ones from past adventures as well as the novels. I would love to see the War of the Lance from Dragonlance done justice (not that horrendous animated travesty), but since D&D is all about the damn Forgotten Realms, I don't see that happening.

But I don't see Hasbro actually putting in the required resources to make a good D&D movie, despite them saying they want to expand the "brand" into movies and/or TV shows.

Battleship had a budget of $220 million. I don't see budget being a crucial problem here.
Keep in mind that Battleship the Game made as much or more money in one year, than the entire history of the RPG industry combined. The reason the movie drew people in is that many many more people played Battleship than roleplaying games and it had a strong nostalgia factor going for it.

I'm sure it was more of a "They made a Battleship movie? I've got to see what this is about."


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A real D&D movie should be a little bit of Fellowship, a little bit of Indiana Jones, and maybe a little bit of a four-way buddy movie. That's what I see as "D&D": A bunch of weirdos with nothing in common being forced to work together, explore trap-filled ruins, and take on fantastical monsters.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Forever Slayer wrote:
LazarX wrote:
MMCJawa wrote:
Adjule wrote:

To get a D&D movie that would actually work, be good, and make Hasbro their money back and then some, would require more than Hasbro is willing to give. They would need to find a director that will do D&D justice (like what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings), either license it out to a decent studio (or go the Marvel route and make an in-company studio), and fork over a big enough chunk of money to where it doesn't look like either a SyFy made for TV movie or something a beginner student would make.

I honestly don't think Hasbro would dare do that. Also, they need a good story. There are plenty good ones from past adventures as well as the novels. I would love to see the War of the Lance from Dragonlance done justice (not that horrendous animated travesty), but since D&D is all about the damn Forgotten Realms, I don't see that happening.

But I don't see Hasbro actually putting in the required resources to make a good D&D movie, despite them saying they want to expand the "brand" into movies and/or TV shows.

Battleship had a budget of $220 million. I don't see budget being a crucial problem here.
Keep in mind that Battleship the Game made as much or more money in one year, than the entire history of the RPG industry combined. The reason the movie drew people in is that many many more people played Battleship than roleplaying games and it had a strong nostalgia factor going for it.
I'm sure it was more of a "They made a Battleship movie? I've got to see what this is about."

That's exactly what they did, pretty much. It's a contrived set of circumstances that's essentially Navy Vs. Aliens playing a Huge seaborne game of Battleship, only with real ships.

RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8

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The draw that a D&D movie could have over "generic fantasy" would be the monsters. I don't mean the IP stuff like beholders or illithids, necessarily. In most fantasy movies, monsters and creatures are rare. In D&D, they're the point.

A D&D movie that played at being Avatar, with elaborate environments and creature designs, could certainly prove to be a draw.

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