Since its creation in 1974, the phenomenon that is Dungeons & Dragons has established itself as one of, if not the most popular tabletop role-playing game in the world. It has nurtured the minds of generations of players from childhood to adulthood and created plain escapism that is yet to be rivaled.
The game and its mechanics have been utilized and adapted for the modern age in the form of video games, cartoons, and even cinema, however, we are yet to see something in line with the original game prove to be as successful, so what better time than now to look at 10 reasons the world needs to take a dive into world of Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson with another Dungeons & Dragons movie.
We Can Learn From Failed Attempts
Over the years there have been three attempts to tame the dragon of the silver screen, all of which have been critically panned but all is not lost. The previous failures can be utilized to show studios what not to do because everything has its purpose and it is encouraging to see the consistent belief from studios that a D&D film can be made and can be successful.
The code is yet to be cracked but the idea that time and energy are still being put into the concept of a Dungeons & Dragons movie shows even the most fickle of warlock that there is still hope and an opportunity to put things right.
Technology And Cinema Has Advanced
The last installment of the Dungeons & Dragons trilogy was released in 2012, the same year as Avengers Assemble and one year post the award winning Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes and it is safe to say that the visual effects, when compared to these were lacking.
Technology in cinema is always developing and, with the right team involved, a film with this much creative and visual possibility could rival the likes of Star Wars or The Lord Of The Rings.
It always comes down to funding but as technology advances and the more studios have access to it, the costs involved in production reduce and if the current standard of CGI is anything to go by an audience could be in for a visual feast.
Its Potential Is Huge
For most fantasy-based films a penultimate battle between good and evil is pretty much a sure thing. We have countless on-screen battle sequences between friend and foe but what a Dungeons & Dragons movie could do is provide a studio with the potential to explore depth and scale in a war environment unlike anything else seen before.
The Battle Of Helms Deep from The Lord Of The Rings is arguably the most praised fantasy battle sequence ever put on film but a D&D sequence with its countless races, classes, and magical abilities could bring something new and awe-inspiring to the table, giving audiences an unforgettable cinematic experience.
It’s A Game For All
The one thing that D&D has proven with its endless possibilities and character building mechanic is that it is truly a game for all. With the countless conventions, online gaming communities and surge of inclusive streaming shows, breaking the stereotypes often associated with the game is proving to be effective.
In terms of cinema this can only be a good thing, diversity is key and vital for the growth of the global cinematic community. It allows creators from all walks of life to bring their experiences and beliefs to the table, which in a world where anything is possible, provides a bottomless pit of material and influences to draw from.
Stranger Things Has Been A Huge Boost
The 80’s are back and in a big way with music and television drawing heavily from the decade of shoulder pads and big hair. It was inevitable that one of the most influential yet controversial games from the decade would make its way back into the public eye once again.
Stranger Things is the epitome of 80’s nostalgia and is heavily influenced by the beloved TTRPG. From its Illithis inspired mind flayers to the whole story being a D&D campaign in and of itself making Stranger Things a perfect example of the potential for a new Dungeons & Dragons movie has without limiting itself to a specific audience.
Dungeons & Dragons: The Resurgence
It is safe to say that over the last 5 years Dungeons & Dragons has had itself a renaissance of sorts and is arguably more popular than ever.
Hot on the heels of hugely successful player campaigns and with countless hours of stories and characters from the endless creators involved it is inevitable that Hollywood will soon cash in on the possibilities. With the popularity of the brand only ever increasing, with it comes big names and big money. This will always work in favor of audiences and fans of D&D who strive toward a half-decent re imagining of their favorite game.
Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle
For years video game movies have been a failure and countless studios have tried to crack the code and produce something half decent that can draw the attention of one of the largest and most vocal communities in the world… gamers.
It would appear that what Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle did worked. By taking the already established premise from the original film and injecting an idea that played out like a typical D&D game along with humor and stellar performances all around convinced audiences it could be done and done well.
A Dungeons & Dragons movie following the same formula could give audiences something alternative to the typical fantasy style movie they are used to seeing with actors playing their characters from their D&D game in some kind of multi-leveled, Jumanji inspired fantasy epic.
Hollywood’s Support
Dungeons & Dragons is no longer just a game for the stereotypical nerd and with the likes of Vin Diesel, Deborah Ann Woll and Joe Manganiello flying the flag for the TTRPG it is safe to say that these Hollywood juggernauts have paved the way for an onslaught of other famous individuals who openly enjoy the bottomless bag of holding that is D&D.
As more household names don their capes and crowns there is always a possibility that if the opportunity should arise we may see a few of them getting involved in the next cinematic venture and having anyone on board who understands the source material, let alone writes and performs their own creations on a weekly basis is a bonus for any production.
The Fantasy Genre
As a genre fantasy has stood the test of time and with humanity always searching for the next escape they have often found that fantasy can be the perfect outlet for their frustrations.
Unlike the over saturated western or superhero genres, the endless creative possibilities of D&D in conjunction with the success of franchises like The Lord Of The Rings and Game Of Thrones means it may be time for an exploration of a medieval based fantasy world on the big screen.
There is the potential to tell hundreds if not thousands of stories in an established cinematic universe that could prove to be both a lucrative and fulfilling endeavour for all involved.
Critical Role
Matthew Mercer and co have been crucial for Dungeons & Dragons’ popularity in recent years with their TTRPG based web series Critical Role. The show is a stepping stone for anyone who may be intimidated at the prospect of picking up the dice and diving in.
With continued over-arching character narratives, Critical Role has proven that even without all the bells and whistles of Hollywood it all comes down to good storytelling. Because of this, audiences find themselves emotionally invested in the Mighty Nein and Vox Machina, not just for a couple of hours but for a monumental 80+ episodes, each with a run time of around 4 hours.
With the outstanding stories from the mind of Matt Mercer and the Critical Role team at their disposal, how could any studio not be excited at the possibilities?
