Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesemerged in 2023 to critical acclaim, despite box office disappointment, signposting the way for a live-actionD&DTV show. A live-actionDungeons & DragonsTV show was being discussed at Paramount Pictures but was axed in May and is now being shopped around by Hasbro. With anHonor Among Thievessequelon the rocks afterHonor Among Thieves’box office difficulty, a TV show is still an excellent way for theD&Dfranchise to expand. And, there are many things a TV show could learn from the excellentHonor Among Thieves.
ADungeons & DragonsTV show wouldn’t have the box office to contend with, and the streaming model is arguably more suited to the franchise.The Legend of Vox Machinais an excellentD&Danime that has seen streaming success, proving that in-home TV viewers are open to the franchise.AD&DTV show could imitate some of the successes ofHonor Among Thievesand discard some of its troubles, with some successes in particular worth replicating.Honor Among Thieves’scenic filming locationsweren’t the only thing that made the movie memorable and unique.
A Live-Action Dungeons & Dragons Show Must Capture Honor Among Thieves' Humor
A D&D TV Show Must Have Strong Comedy
Honor Among Thieveswas utterly hilarious, and anyDungeons & DragonsTV show that gets made should imitate this element of the movie.Honor Among Thieveswas one of the funniest movies of 2023, and it held up well as one of the funniest movies around even well into 2024.The movie caricatured corporate existencein one of its opening scenes, as Edgin faced trial against the useless Absolution Council. This humor was critical, highlightingD&D’srelevance to the real world and contemporary existence. If aD&DTV show gets picked up, it should take note.
Why Dungeons & Dragons Adaptations Shouldn’t Take Themselves Too Seriously
D&D Thrives As A Fun Pastime
Dungeons & Dragonsadaptationsshouldn’t take themselves too seriously, asHonor Among Thieves’comedy success exemplifies.Honor Among Thievessucceeded where previousD&Dmovies did not, in that it developed a functional and appropriate sense of humor.The Legend of Vox Machinadid the same thing and has a similar sense of humor, employing satirical layers to accompany the fantasy. As a franchise uniquely based on a tabletop game, on-screen adaptations must find their own voices outside of any one novel-style piece of source material.
Amazon Show’s 100% RT Streak Makes Paramount’s Dungeons & Dragons Mistake Even Worse
Paramount canceling its D&D franchise was a misstep for the studio, and this critically acclaim TV show proves how much audiences want a D&D universe.
Satire works for this franchise and there is untapped potential for a TV show to exploit, with numerousD&Dcampaign settings ignored by adaptations so far. Also, as of yet,D&Dhas neglected to adapt drow Drizzt Do’Urden, which is lamentable. What’s more,a TV adaptation should play intoD&D’sinnate strengths as a game- this is a pastime that is meant to be fun and lighthearted. The franchise could take a TV show to a dark place - which may suit Drizzt more than other characters - but levity is key to what makesDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesso enjoyable.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Cast
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows a cunning thief and a group of unlikely adventurers on a quest to recover a lost relic. The film details their epic heist, which takes a perilous turn as they encounter formidable adversaries, adding complexity to their mission.
