Despite being the studio behind the recent D&D movieDungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Paramount has canceled its plans for a sequel or a spinoff TV show. However, there are plenty of successful series set in the Dungeons and Dragons universe, like the critically acclaimedThe Legend of Vox Machina. Amazon Prime’s animated TV show isbased on the campaign from theCritical Roleweb series.The show adapts different story arcs that were established inCritical Rolebut have blossomed into a fully-fledged narrative that holds up against any other fantasy show.
Honor Among Thieves' streaming successhas sparked renewed interest in a live-action D&D show, and for good reason. There’s huge franchise potential within the D&D universe, which has been shown time and again byThe Legend of Vox Machina. It’s true thatHonor Among Thieveswas a box-office disappointment, but this is mostly because of the high budget,which made the bar for success in theaters too high. However, this underwhelming performance was enough to make Paramount+ decide not to move forward with the D&D TV show, even though it could have been a hit.
Legend Of Vox Machina’s 100% Rotten Tomatoes Streak Proves A D&D Show Can Work
Vox Machina’s continued success shows there’s long-term viability for a D&D series
Each season ofThe Legend of Vox Machinahas raised the stakes and developed the characters,staying true to the heart of the D&D game while becoming a classic fantasy show. The past few years have revealed that the fantasy genre works well on television because of the potential for multiple storylines and the establishment of world-building.The Legend of Vox Machinahas used all of this to its advantage. IfThe Legend of Vox Machinacan operate successfully as a TV series and still connect with fans, there’s no reason why the Paramount+ show couldn’t have done this.
When adapting a piece of IP as popular and iconic as D&D, it can be a challenge to please the existing fanbase while also reaching new viewers.
The Legend of Vox Machinaseason 3’s Rotten Tomatoes recordremains intact, withthe third installment earning another 100% critical score.Though the audience score hasn’t hit 100 yet, it’s been consistently in the mid-to-high 90s, demonstrating that fans are just as invested in the story. When adapting a piece of IP as popular and iconic as D&D, it can be a challenge to please the existing fanbase while also reaching new viewers. However,The Legend of Vox Machinahas shown this is possible, becoming a crossover hit for Prime.
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The Amazon Series' Success Makes Paramount’s Dungeons & Dragons Cancelation Worse
The Legend of Vox Machina could have been a blueprint for the Paramount series
Even thoughHonor Among Thieveswasn’t the hit Paramount was hoping for, the fact that the studio decided to put away the D&D franchise forever is surprising. TheDungeons and Dragons show was canceled at Paramounteven though it had already started generating buzz and had a series order. Paramount+’s show would have been a live-action story that could have explored the expansive universe of D&D even further.D&D has so many different realms and possible narratives that Paramount+ could have started freshwithout giving up the franchise. Instead, the future of onscreen D&D has become uncertain.
Honor Among Thieves 2 Uncertainty Makes Its Most Promising Replacement Even More Necessary
Even if Honor Among Thieves never gets a sequel, this shouldn’t be the end of live-action adaptations of the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
Vox Machinais a good replacement for the canceled D&D showaudiences were waiting for. However, it’s a stark reminder of what both viewers and Paramount could have had if the studio had stuck with the franchise. Having both a movie series and a TV show would have put Paramount in the perfect position to make D&D into a new cinematic universe and open the door for even more potential spinoffs and sequels.Likely,The Legend of Vox Machinawill continue getting more popularand reaching new audiences, and Paramount will wish it had stuck with D&D.
Paramount Made A Mistake By Giving Up On Its Dungeons & Dragons Franchise
The studio may come to regret not sticking with the D&D universe
Not only has Paramount canceled the live-action D&D show, but Hasbro will be shopping the series moving forward (viaDeadline). This opens the door for another studio to establish the franchise that Paramount failed to capitalize on. Paramount turning its back on the many avenues for future projects within the D&D universe makes it easy to question the company’s motives. It seems that with the increasing popularity of fantasy shows likeThe Legend of Vox Machinaand the expanding audience base who tune into D&D and speculative fiction shows,it’s a waste not to make the D&D series.
Additionally,Honor Among Thieveshas seen renewed success and interest on streaming but there have also been calls for a sequel film. Whatever studio takes on the Dungeons and Dragons franchise next will likely see thatThe Legend of Vox Machinais working and that D&D has much in common with many critically and audience-acclaimed TV. Though theHonor Among Thievessequel might never happen, there’s still room for the live-action TV show, and if a new company can strike the right tone, there’s no reason it can’t be as successful asThe Legend of Vox Machina.
The Legend of Vox Machina
Cast
The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated series that follows a group of rowdy misfits turned mercenaries. As they prioritize easy money and leisure over duty, they find themselves as the unlikely heroes tasked with defending the kingdom from impending evil and restoring justice.
