Quite a bit is riding on Netflix’s upcomingDungeons & DragonsTV show set in the Forgotten Realms campaign, especially after the major disappointment surroundingDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.Paramount’s cut plans for an extendedDungeons & Dragonsuniverse shortly afterHonor Among Thieves’release was disappointing, as so many great stories had yet to be told. While the many details surroundingNetflix’sDungeons & Dragonsshow inspire confidence, I am still concerned that the new series could hit a few bumps as it adapts this beloved location from the tabletop game.
Netflix’s addition of Shawn Levy does help ease some of my fears,as his track record with various films and shows proves he knows how to handle such an immense fantasy propertywhile also retaining its roots.The Forgotten Realms' detailed game elementsalso provide a lot of material for the show to cover, allowing the storyline to remain fresh and feel like a properDungeons & Dragonsgame by constantly including unexpected elements. However,Honor Among Thieves’sequel plans getting abruptly canceled still has me worried that Netflix’s series could suffer the same fate due to a rising trend.
Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Show Needs To Succeed After Honor Among Thieves Didn’t Get A Sequel
The Film’s Popularity On The Streaming Service Proves There Is An Audience For It
Netflix’sDungeons & Dragonsshow needs to be a priority for the streaming service afterHonor Among Thievesdid not get a sequel, as the film’s later success showcases that the series would likely be lucrative. As mentioned, Paramount canceledHonor Among Thieves' sequel alongside its otherD&D-based projects after the film did not perform well at the box office, even though it received largely positive reviews. After the movie arrived on Netflix, though,it demonstrated its popularity and potential with 7.2 million viewing hours, amplifying the dismay at its sequel’s cancelation.
Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Show Must Feature Some Version Of Honor Among Thieves' Best Comic Relief Character
The new Dungeons & Dragons show coming to Netflix should include Honor Among Thieves' best comic relief character in some way to honor the film.
Those views and despondency highlight whyNetflix’sshow repeatingHonor Among Thieves’mistakeis such a bad idea.Netflix has become known for canceling popular shows after a single seasondespite favorable public opinion. If it were to do so for thisDungeons & Dragonsseries, it would cause the streaming service to lose a hugely lucrative audience, as many who enjoy the franchise’s elaborate lore and stories could find other, similar narratives on the streaming service. Even so, the logistics of filming could be a deciding factor for the Forgotten Realms show’s fate as well as any future projects.
The Forgotten Realms Show Could Make Or Break Hopes Of A D&D TV Or Movie Universe
Future D&D Projects Would Be Held To The Standard This Series Sets
Any hope for futureDungeons & Dragonsshows or movies rests on the new Netflix series and how it’s executed. More often than not,a fantasy project will end up getting canceled due to production costs and a lack of commitment from the studio.WhiletheForgotten Realmsshow will feature the Underdark, allowing for some flexibility on CGI costs, the tabletop series will feature various sections of the world that could, if done wrong, sink the series and any other adaptation of the game as studios shy away from that risk.
That could finally allowDungeons & Dragonsthe chance to reach new audiences and give those who wanted more after Honor Among Thieves endless stories to choose from later.
Conversely, if Netflix were to invest and succeed in creating a popular series, then other studios would likely follow, allowing for several wonderfully visual projects set in the world ofDungeons & Dragons.A similar argument can be made for studio commitment, as a studio that is willing to invest in a series over multiple seasons could inspire others to do the same, especially if they are seeing significant returns. That could finally allowDungeons & Dragonsthe chance to reach new audiences and give those who wanted more afterHonor Among Thievesendless stories to choose from later.
Dungeons & Dragons
TheDungeons & Dragonsfranchise is a fantasy adventure series based on the iconic tabletop role-playing game. The franchise includes both live-action and animated adaptations, with the most notable being the recent filmDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves(2023), which brought the fantasy world of D&D to a broader audience with its blend of humor, action, and classic D&D elements. The franchise explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of adventuring in a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and mythical creatures.
