chris pine, dungeons and dragons

Dungeons and Dragons have withstood a strong fan following over the years after its debut as a fantasy role-playing game in 1974. Even though the original trilogy couldn’t add much magic to strengthen the franchise, many anticipated that Chris Pine’s Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves could potentially launch it.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves | Paramount Pictures
Although the movie fell short of expectations, a beam of hope was still there when a live-action TV show was announced to be in the works in 2023. However, a new report gives a disappointing update which makes one wonder about its future.

Live-Action Dungeons and Dragons TV Show is Not Going Forward at Paramount+

After the arrival of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) on the big screen, many hoped that Paramount+ would be moving forward with the small-screen attempt at the live-action Dungeons & Dragons series. However, things are looking otherwise as Deadline reports that the studio is no longer moving forward with the show.

Even before Chris Pine‘s movie hit theatres, Paramount+ was positive about expanding the franchise as it gave an eight-episode, straight-to-series order to an adaptation of Hasbro’s D&D fantasy role-playing game franchise. 

From the update, it is clear that the streaming giant would no longer be releasing the series. However, it is far from shelved. The live-action show was originally set to be a collaborative effort of Paramount Pictures and Hasbro’s eOne.
Dungeons and DragonsDungeons and Dragons | D&D Entertainment
But, eOne was sold to Lionsgate in late 2023, with the show falling under Hasbro Entertainment, the in-house production company behind the upcoming projects Transformers One, Monopoly, and Clue movies. Sources told the outlet that the series will reportedly undergo “a creative update” before seeking other potential parties.

The outlet mentioned that a “new creative team” will be brought in. Initially, Rawson Marshall Thurber, who penned the pilot script was set to helm the show’s first episode with Drew Crevello joining him as executive producer and showrunner.

While the show is still likely in development, it remains a question as to why Paramount+ changed its mind and the answer might be linked with the 2023 movie.

Chris Pine’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Fell Short of Expectations

Chris Pine in A still from Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among ThievesDungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves | Paramount Pictures
The big screen attempt at Dungeons and Dragons featuring a notable cast, couldn’t help in making it a successful project. As per the Numbers, the movie grossed over $207.8 million at the worldwide box office with a substantial budget of $150 million.

Although it seems like a positive number at first, this doesn’t include the film’s marketing cost, which likely hints that it did not break even. For the movie to hit its break-even point, it would have needed to gross over $400 million, which eventually didn’t happen.

While financial performance surely plays a significant factor in expanding the franchise, it might have affected the studio’s decision to move forward with the series.

Even the franchise’s fan base may have added up as another factor in Paramount+’s decision as the D&D fans are majorly from the game saga. The movie’s marketing seemingly wasn’t able to cater to new audiences, which further led to its overwhelming response.

As for whether this D&D live-action series would end up on the small screen, it is most likely yes as Hasbro is dedicated to making this project a reality.

Whereas, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is streaming on Paramount+.