Fantasy role play gamers, get ready to be happy. Dungeons & Dragons, is getting the silver screen treatment after a two-year lawsuit has come to a close. Warner Bros. will work with Hasbro’s Allspark Pictures and Sweatpea Entertainment to begin a film franchise based on the popular role-playing game. While there’s little plot or casting information as of yet, Warner Bros. announced today that David Leslie Johnson (Wrath of the Titans, The Conjuring 2) has written the script.
Multiple reports have noted that the film will likely be the first in a series, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about the modern film industry, it’s that franchises are all but essential to survival, so Warner will no doubt want to run with this one.
“We are so excited about bringing the world of Dungeons & Dragons to life on the big screen,” said Warner Bros. exec Greg Silverman in a release. “This is far and away the most well-known brand in fantasy, which is the genre that drives the most passionate film followings. D&D has endless possibilities, giving our filmmakers immense opportunities to delight and thrill both fans and moviegoers new to the property.”
Warner Bros. is betting that the film will fare better than the first flop based on the game, titled Dungeons & Dragons, which was released in 2000. Starring Jeremy Irons and Marlon Wayans, and also produced by Sweetpea Entertainment, it grossed just $33.8 million worldwide according to the Wall Street Journal.
While the game hasn’t yet successfully translated to film, Dungeons & Dragons has amassed a huge fan base since Gary and Dave Arneson co-created the game in 1974 — and having a ready-made fan base is something that can pay off very handsomely (e.g. Universal’s Jurassic World). Tens of millions have enjoyed adventuring as elves and wizards through the elaborate fantasy world. And most of them will certainly recognize The Forgotten Realms, a popular location in the game which Hasbro’s Stephen Davis said will serve as the film’s setting.
A release date for the film is yet to be announced, but stay tuned for more as this story develops.
