The live-actionDungeons & DragonsTV show has been looking for a home for a long time. Now that it has found this in the streaming service Netflix, it presents an array of new problems.There’s a lot of pressure onThe Forgotten Realms, the new series, to succeedwhen many other takes on theDNDuniverse have failed. While it makes sense that audiences would have high expectations and that the studio would want a return on their investment, this means things won’t be easy forThe Forgotten Realmsas it enters development.
It’s no secret that Netflix has leaned into the fantasy genre in recent years, butthe fact that the streamer will be the one to bring the live-actionDNDshow to life has pros and cons.Shawn Levy and Drew Crevello will partner to bringThe Forgotten Realmsto life onscreen, and it’s paramount that they get the story right (viaDeadline). WhenNetflix develops theDungeons & DragonsTV show, the streamer should draw inspiration from other fantasy projects. They should also learn from the mistakes that have prevented the franchise from taking off in the past.
Despite its positive critical reception and eventual streaming success,Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieveswas a box office failure.This was a major disappointment for the studio, Paramount, and crushed the additional content that might have taken off in the wake of the movie’s success. However, this doesn’t mean thatHonor Among Thievesisn’t a worthy take on the game and the world ofDND; it just overstretched its resources and wasn’t the right format.
The Dungeons & Dragons Show Is Exciting, But 1 Detail Makes Me Nervous It Will Repeat An Honor Among Thieves Disappointment
I was really excited to hear that Dungeons & Dragons is finally bringing about its long-awaited television series, but one thing worries me.
If a live-action TV show can succeed whereHonor Among Thievesfailed, it could be a sign that wider audiences are ready to dive into theDNDuniverse. However, sinceDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesreceived no sequel,this mounts the pressure onThe Forgotten Realmsand Netflix to make the show work.Fortunately, the style and plot of the film are strong, paving the way for future works.The Forgotten Realmswon’t have as large a budget and should attempt to streamline its visual and practical effects.
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Netflix has had enormous success withStranger Things,one of the streamer’s breakout original series that cemented Netflix as more than just a host website for other projects. Deeply entwined withDND, fantasy, and science fiction,Stranger Thingshas enjoyed a fantastic legacy, launching cultural conversation and momentum every time a new season drops. IfThe Forgotten Realmscan achieve half the popularity ofStranger Things, it will be primed for a long and beloved run.
The connection betweenStranger ThingsandDNDcan’t be ignored,as the series is set in the 1980s when the tabletop game was taking off and getting popular with young players. This sense of nostalgia and relevance is what has sustainedStranger Thingsin the years since it premiered. WhileThe Forgotten Realmswon’t be able to play on the same associate with the game asStranger Things, it shouldn’t overlook the power of tying to the source material and its aesthetics.
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It’s impossible to talk about screen adaptations ofDNDwithout bringing up Prime Video’s critically acclaimed hit,The Legend of Vox Machina. Based on theDNDweb seriesCritical Role,The Legend of Vox Machinais the most successful and adept iteration ofDNDever brought to life onscreen.WhileThe Forgotten Realmswill be live-action, not animated, there’s still a lot that the show can take fromThe Legend of Vox Machina.
The Legend of Vox Machinademonstrates an understanding of character development and skill for world-building that never diminishes the thrill of the action.
The new series must differentiate itself fromThe Legend of Vox Machinafrom the start, which will be a challenge since the show has become such a distinct part of the cultural conversation. However, this doesn’t mean thatThe Forgotten Realmsshouldn’t look at what works for the series and learn from it.The Legend of Vox Machinademonstrates an understanding of character development and skill for world-building that never diminishes the thrill of the action.
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The Witcher’s Geralt of Rivia is afantasy hero just like Drizzt, a beloved character who will more than likely appear inThe Forgotten Realms. These archetypal fantasy characters appear inDNDand most TV shows of the genre,and while they’re all different, bringing Drizzt to life with accuracy and attention to detail will be critical forThe Forgotten Realms. The next season ofThe Witcherwill be interesting, as Henry Cavill is being replaced by Liam Hemsworth. How the show navigates this will be a strong example forThe Forgotten Realms.
No matter whereThe Forgotten Realmsstory goes, it will have to learn to introduce new characters and actors quickly and efficiently.One of the most consistent complaints lodged againstThe Witcheris how different it is from the source materialby Andrzej Sapkowski. Bringing to life beloved IP is always a risk, butThe Forgotten Realmsshould risk criticism if it’s going to make an impact on viewers.The Witchermight stir up controversy, but it’s always memorable.
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The particular aesthetic of 1980s medieval filmmaking setsExcaliburapart from modern works of fantasy, and sinceDNDshares these roots, it would be fun forThe Forgotten Realmsto lean into this. With a star-studded cast and story as old as the genre itself,Excaliburwas the definitive take on the legends of King Arthur for a long time.The director, John Boorman, is known for his contributions to fantasy, with his stylistic choices inspiring contemporary works.
Excaliburwasn’t the same as every other work of fantasy, and it is still remembered because of its ambition.
ThoughExcaliburis imperfect, it doesn’t hold back in the depth of its adaptation, unafraid to lean into the most distinct and vivid parts of its world.The Forgotten Realmsmust be just as committed to embodying the world ofDND, taking chances both visually and narratively.Excaliburwasn’t the same as every other work of fantasy, and it is still remembered because of its ambition. SeeingThe Forgotten Realmsfail after just one season would be as disappointing as getting no adaption at all.
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The firstGuardians of the Galaxymovie was unlike anything else Marvel had put out,and it’s undeniable that the film drew inspiration from similar sources toDND. One of the biggest connections betweenGuardians of the GalaxyandDNDis the assembly of a team of different powerful individuals to embark on a quest. Though the movie is set in space, the characters still have to set aside their differences and travel far and wide to hit the necessary checkpoints in their adventure.
While the film follows a formula, it’s never boring and keeps the audience guessing so that the ending is as satisfying as possible. Many viewers will be well aware of how a game ofDNDunfolds, andthe series must stay true to this while incorporating interesting additions to the formatof these narratives. In terms of story and tone, the tongue-in-cheek style ofGuardians of the Galaxyis a good baseline forThe Forgotten Realmsto be funny without alienating the audience.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
In terms of visuals and action,Arcanepaves the way for the fantasy genre, showcasing how to blend the dynamic excitement of video games into an emotionally gripping narrative.ThoughDNDisn’t a video game, the fight sequences and thrilling conflict that players imagine are just as intricately designed as any piece of media, if not more so. Even thoughArcaneis set in a more futuristic steampunk world than traditionalDND, this doesn’t mean the design can’t inspireThe Forgotten Realms.
10 Fantasy TV Shows That Never Had A Bad Season
These fantasy TV shows achieved the rare feat of maintaining their quality in every installment, crafting practically perfect additions to the genre.
It was disappointing thatArcaneonly ran for two seasons, as most fans and critics could’ve stayed within the world of Piltover forever. However, Netflix has a plan to expand theLeague of Legendsworld, creating spinoffs ofArcanewith new characters and settings within the same fantasy universe. IfThe Forgotten Realmsis successful enough,there’s no reason why additionalDNDseries can’t be part of the Netflix catalog in the years to come.
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Hilarious, heartfelt, and gorgeously imagined,The Princess Brideis considered mandatory viewingwithin the fantasy genre. Since it’s easily one of the most-watched additions to the genre from the 1980s,The Princess Bridehas established a firm foothold in the cultural conversation. This makes it a great work forThe Forgotten Realmsto reference, and also something from which the series can take its cues.
The Princess Brideis amovie that perfectly blends romance and adventure, and these are factors that appeal to a wide array of audiences. The sense of humor that’s so inherent to the tone and identity ofThe Princess Brideis also an element thatThe Forgotten Realmsshould keep in mind.Many contemporary TV shows are tonally confused,unable to balance dark moments with levity.The Princess Bridenever struggles with this, and neither canThe Forgotten Realms.
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Classic fantasy legends like the stories of King Arthur and Camelot are the building blocks ofDND,as they established the rules and tropes of a fantastical realm. However,Merlinis even more useful to aDNDshow than the original works of Arthurian legend because the series demonstrates how to bring these tales into the modern era. ThoughMerlinis still set in medieval times, it successfully updates the relationship between Merlin and Arthur, making it more relevant.
Merlinmanaged to take its well-known source material and make it new, somethingThe Forgotten Realmsmust do.
Merlin’s monster-of-the-week formula showcases howThe Forgotten Realmscan weave the many creatures and monsters of theDNDuniverse into the fabric of the show. Additionally,Merlinmanaged to take its well-known source material and make it new, somethingThe Forgotten Realmsmust do. Even though some of the visual effects are dated, fantasy fans keep returning toMerlin, andThe Forgotten Realmsshould strive for this longevity. ManyDNDprojects have tried and failed to establish the franchise’s potential.
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The Dragon Princeis widely regarded as a spiritual successor toAvatar: The Last Airbender,and not just because there’s an overlap in the voice cast. A Netflix original itself,The Dragon Princeinspired a tabletop role-playing game calledTales of Xadia, set in the story’s world that plays like aDNDcampaign. This is unsurprising, considering the land of Xadia has so much in common with the different fantastical realms ofDND.
WhatThe Dragon Princedoes so well is balance its world-building with its character development and relationships. This creates a world that viewers can easily imagine themselves diving into and living in themselves without sacrificing story or narrative intrigue. Achieving that balance will be critical for theDungeons & DragonsTV show, as it must appeal to viewers who are unfamiliar with the game while catering to longtime players.The Dragon Princesees its core characters go on a compelling adventure within Xadia and expands well beyond the dragons and magic of its premise.
