In issue #324, the Editor goes on about how he hopes the D&D film sequel will help get people talking about D&D again. Granted, I don't see how the sequel can be any worse than the first film...but still, I doubt a sequel (especially if it's a direct-to-video sequel) is gonna generate much interest.
Times are tough and our methods are gonna have to be extreme to get the people of today talking about D&D again. I think we need a sequel to the 1982 classic, Mazes and Monsters. This movie-of-the-week helped put some serious fear into those unfamiliar with roleplaying games. We need that kind of press again. We'll become that hip forbidden fruit that people only whisper about.
Heck, get Rona Jaffe (Author of the original novel that the film was based off) to write a sequel. It can follow the exploits of the surviving characters and how that cursed RPG still haunts them. Maybe even make it a "next generation" thing as we now find their own children have succumbed to evils of this wicked game. While we're at it, lets get Tom Hanks to reprise his role as that "gamer who went over the edge" and show how even after twenty-plus years he still hasn't recovered.
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Okay, maybe this isn't a very good idea at all. But hey, people would be talking about D&D again! ;)
Brad Hardman
Redmond, WA
posted by rogue5000:
"TSR / WotC has published whole lines of incredible novels based on worlds like Dragonlance, Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms.
If WotC really wants to draw people to the theaters, why not ask Greenwood, Weis & Hickman, or Salvatore to write something. Sorry, best selling authors = half a chance at pleasing the old guard and drawing in the new."
agreed
Perhaps you should talk with the younger viewers. I have 13 nieces and nephews. Ten of them were of "D&D-ish age" when the first movie came out and went to see it with me (and my brother-in-law -- also a reformed geek who played in the 80s).. Seven of them are now playing D&D. That's a pretty good conversion ratio. Not to mention it got both my brother-in-law and I back into playing.
The movie may have stunk for existing D&D fans.
It may even have received poor reviews from non-D&D players (only one of the ten that saw the movie with us liked it). But it was paid advertising with the name of the game in it. Much as I dread the *content* of the second movie, Matt is right --> it is publicity in an environment in which there is no such thing as bad publicity.
I, like therogue5000, won't get my copy for another two weeks. But that has already been talked about. I digress, with the huge money the LoTR movies made, the bar for the fantasy genre has been set.
If a company/people want to get people talking then the gold standard is the LotR. Like therogue5000, states, there are books that have been best sellers and have a vast history and plots to talk about. Not just the main stories that have been played/written about. But other plot lines that can genereate a spark of interest and stoke the fire of those already involved.
The main thing is going to be cost of production of the movie and the cost of the actors/actresses. At least the name recognition of Paris Hilton is already there. Hope for the best but brace for the worst...that is my take on this subject.
All joking aside, maybe a TV series would better serve D&D than a movie at this point? You could do Forgotten Realms or even Eberron. If one did well, you have a lot of D&D worlds to spin new shows from.
Heck, do a series about Roleplayers but we *see* the game unravel like it does in the players' imagination (Much like that "The Gamers" film by Dead Gentlemen Productions). Only occasionally cutting back to the real world with a botched role or side comment.
This way they could change setting every now and then to keep things fresh. Characters that are well received can move forward where others bite the dust every now and the player creates a new character. Get a bunch of talented actors and some decent writing and the possibilities are endless.
The actor who gets stuck playing the DM, would get the most acting work, as they always get to play the main villain or various important NPCs.
Granted, this is would something very difficult to pitch to Hollywood...let alone get made. Not to mention, it would most likely confuse anybody who isn't already familiar with RPGs, already kind of defeating the purpose of attracting new people to the game.
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Still, a well-done television series (or even mini-series) might score big. It all depends on how it's been done and who's doing it.
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While I'm commenting without having read the "From the Editor" (my Dragon visits places all over the country before finally being delivered battered and bruised to me late in the month) I have to agree whole-heartedly with Brad.
We need to do something to get new people into the game, and another horrid B-Movie with the D&D logo ain't it. The first film, for those of you lucky enough to have done anything else with your two hours, was about as much D&D as "Attack of the Killer Tomatos" was horror...
TSR / WotC has published whole lines of incredible novels based on worlds like Dragonlance, Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms.
If WotC really wants to draw people to the theaters, why not ask Greenwood, Weis & Hickman, or Salvatore to write something. Sorry, best selling authors = half a chance at pleasing the old guard and drawing in the new.
Or better yet, base a movie off of one of their books. (I always thought that the Drizz't series could lead to an awesome series of movies.) Heck, many of the Forgotten Realms books could. (Imagine seeing Venom's Taste on the big screen, or the Rage, or any of the Rogue series!) So much to pick from. *sigh*
Perhaps if this new D&D movie is popular we will see a D&D TV series, kinda like how the X-Men and Lara Croft movies spawned those ripoff shows Mutant X and Relic Hunter.
Only, y'know, set in Faerun or Eberron. How about a sitcom, "Hangin' with Elminster"?
Anyone see the movie "Uber Goober"? I saw it mentioned in #326 and I talked to people who saw it at Origins and Gen Con and they said it seemed like something that might generate some interest.
Just wanted to point folks to a site that has a "knights of the dinner table" feel to it. http://dungeonmajesty.com The site is for a TV show out in CA, it's a group of gamers playing D&D on public access TV. Saw the blurb for it on the G4tech channel. Anyway may all of your d20's roll high!