ADungeons & DragonsTV show should use this $962 million movie remake as a blueprint, as both its success and narrative could work to highlight the tabletop.Paramount’s cancelation of itsDungeons & Dragonsprojectshas left any hope for a live-action adaptation of any of the tabletop’s many narratives and characters up in the air. ThoughDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieveshas since redeemed itself by becoming a streaming hit, it appears that studios are still cautious despite the plethora of options for a showDungeons & Dragonscan offer to further the fantasy genre.
That being said, the potentialDungeons & DragonsTV show’s storywould be hard to pin down due to all of these options. From the traditional locations of the tabletop to the horror-filledCurse of Strahdmodule, the show would have plenty to pick from but also would likely leave something behind, which may limit its audience and its appeal to some studios. However, one fantasy franchise has a format that would allow a series surrounding the tabletop to thrive and has already proven itself to be lucrative: the 2017 and 2019Jumanjiremakes.
A Dungeons & Dragons TV Show Should Copy The Jumanji Remake’s Formula
The Show Could Showcase Players Entering Various Dungeons & Dragons Locations
The formula behind the two remakes ofJumanjishould act as a springboard for aDungeons & Dragonsshow, as it would allow the series to showcase multiple aspects of the tabletop easily.Jumanji’smain premise of a group of people being teleported into the game would work perfectly for the tabletop, as it would add to the comedy and be a step removed from the heavier fantasy elements. Since it is a group that is not from that world, much of the world-building can be explained, giving unfamiliar audiences a quick overview of the mechanics without impacting the story.
A Live-Action Dungeons & Dragons Show Needs This Legendary Creature As Its Final Boss
One legendary but seldom-seen creature needs to be the final boss of a Dungeons & Dragons live-action show, as it would add a unique twist.
The series could also feature several locations fromDungeons & Dragonsby having the players choose a different module every time, giving each one limited but strong arcs. Not only would this let the series explore the various popular stories from the tabletop across mediums, such as parts of theDungeons & Dragonsvideo game seriesBaldur’s Gate,but it would also draw in a bigger audience as there would be something from every genre. CopyingJumanji’sformula, ultimately, would be a great choice, especially as its proven success acts as a built-in selling point.
Copying Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle Would Make A D&D Show An Easy Sell
Both Jumanji Remakes Were Box Office Successes
Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungleand its sequelwere successful upon their release, so copying their larger narrative would make aDungeons & Dragonsshow easier for studios to invest in.Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungleended its theatrical run having surpassed its $90 million budgetby a wide margin. The sequel’s $800 million box office kept that trend going, showcasing the strength of the storyline. By copying this formula, studios can be reassured that the project will likely work as it has in the past, unlike other riskier ventures such as anHonor Among Thievessequel.
Using this format would let aDungeons & Dragonsshow really demonstrate why the tabletop is so popular while bringing several of its iconic narratives to life over just one.
BothJumanjiandDungeons & Dragonsfeature game elements that make them dynamic and unique, with the former utilizing it to separate itself from other action films while still being easy for audiences to dive into. A potential series for the tabletop can do the same while circumventing the concerns studios have about adapting other projects, as it can balance the homages and explanations through this lens. Using this format would let aDungeons & Dragonsshow really demonstrate why the tabletop is so popular, while bringing several of its iconic narratives to life over just one.
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.
