DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FILM 2023. A long-planned project, the film adapted from the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game license has a release date and an official title.
After a long gestation and numerous delays, the new fantasy universe adaptation of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game is due to arrive in 2023. At least that’s the latest information that reached us during the April 21 D&D Direct video conference. broadcast on the internet and allowing fans to find out more about the next releases around the world famous role-playing game. In addition to the many announcements of book releases and new accessories that have delighted fans, video games were again presented while some information was disclosed about the Dungeons and Dragons feature film.
The two directors, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (to whom we recently owe Game Night) thus took the floor to remind fans of the existence of the project but also of its imminent arrival for March 3, 2023. “It’s a dream come true to bring the Forgotten Realms and the Sword Coast to life. We aim to capture the spirit of fun and surprise that we all love in D&D,” says Jonathan Goldstein while his co -director clarifies that filming ended “in some of the most incredible locations”. The filmmaking duo took advantage of the event to lift the veil on the official title of the film which will be, in VO, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
On the casting side, we know that Chris Pine (Wonder Woman) will serve as the headliner. In the credits, he is also accompanied by Michelle Rodriguez (Fast & Furious), Regé-Jean Page (The Bridgerton Chronicle), Justice Smith (Jurassic World 2, Detective Pikachu) and Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Le journal de Bridget Jones). The feature film, which has not yet revealed its official synopsis, must be located on the Sword Coast, a region well known to role-players but also to video game enthusiasts because there are notably the cities of Neverwinter, Waterdeep or even Baldur’s Gate, which should probably appear in the Dungeons and Dragons movie.
Dungeons and Dragons is what we call a role-playing game. Released in the 1970s, it allows players, embodying characters of their own invention, to gather around a table and live heroic and often incredible adventures in a medieval-fantasy universe. Very popular, the game has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years since various creators who experienced the joys of RPG at the time refer to it in their own creations. We will think here of Stranger Things which makes no secret of its inspirations, going so far as to involve monsters from D&D mythology. The numerous webcasts by role-players, including Critical Role in the United States or La Bonne Auberge in France, are also part of the new impetus towards role-playing games in general and Dungeons and Dragons in particular.
Already several adaptations for Dungeons and Dragons
Note that this is far from the first time that Dungeons & Dragons has attempted a filmed adaptation. In the year 2000, a film directed by Courtney Solomon and worn by Justin Whalin (Lois and Clark) and Jeremy Irons (Pretending, Batman v Superman) had already been released but had clearly not found its audience. The film, visually tacky upon its release, did not break even and gradually fell into oblivion. However, it had two sequels, intended for the small screen, in 2005 and 2013. Still on the television side, Dungeons & Dragons had also been adapted into an animated series called Le Sourire du dragon from 1983 to 1985.