Movies DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (Sequel Possible, Post #247; Dragonlord's Review)

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Update: March 21, 2023

Dragonlord’s Review of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (No Spoilers)

Bottom Line: Buoyed by Chris Pine’s charisma, a funny script and a likable cast of characters, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a fun, breezy fantasy heist adventure pic that’s accessible to both casual viewers and hardcore RPG fans.

A staple in the fantasy genre since 1974, Dungeons & Dragons has deeply influenced the role-playing video games and remains very popular among RPG fans up to this day. So It’s a surprise that they haven’t crack the code for a live-action adaptation with their first attempt - 2000’s Dungeons & Dragons film - being a disgraceful failure. They followed it up with even horrible results with 2005’s Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (which premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel) and 2012’s straight-to-DVD Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness.

Fast forward to 2023, writer-directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley have found the winning formula with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a fun caper flick that celebrates the world of D&D but doesn't take itself too seriously either.

The film benefits tremendously with Chris Pine being its main lead as Edgin Darvis, a bard and former member of a secret spy organization called the Harpers. In the film, Edgin and his party undertake an epic quest to retrieve a powerful relic in order to rescue his daughter. The actor’s charisma and star power anchors the film while the character’s backstory supplies the emotional connection to the audience.

Playing an equally vital role in the success of the film, the supporting characters are all likable and well-written. Not always a fan of hers but Michelle Rodriguez was pretty good as the barbarian Holga Kilgore. Her action scenes were solid and she played the heart of the team. The dashing Rege-Jean Page (who should have been recast as T’Challa in the MCU) plays the paladin Xenk Yendar, who had some terrific fight scenes as well as some funny moments. Sophia Lillis was a delight as the druid Doric and Justice Smith was pleasant as the low-level sorcerer. But stealing the show every time he is on screen, Hugh Grant was excellent as the lovable villain Forge Fitzwilliam.

Honor Among Thieves is a great entry point for the general audience to the world of D&D as the story is easy enough to follow even though a lot of the Easter egg will go over their heads. Hardcore D&D RPG fans will also be elated with the multitude references to the game from the magical spells, lore, locations, iconic creatures and even the gameplay. My favorite Easter egg in the film was a nod to the 80s cartoon series.

To sum it up, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has the same good vibes as the first Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok where a ragtag group of outcasts tries to save the day. The film perfectly balances the humor, action and emotional moments just like the two MCU films mentioned. There’s even a homage (or rip-off?) to the classic Hulk scene from the first Avengers movie. Great score by Lorne Balfe. Stick around for a mid-credits scene. All in all, I had a really good time (for a change) at the cinema watching this.

PRELIMINARY RATING: 7.5/10

(Please leave a Like if you appreciate my reviews. )

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Update: December 14, 2020

Chris Pine to Star in Paramount and EOne's Big-Budget DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Movie

Chris Pine is getting ready to roll some D20s. The actor, who is gearing up to return to the world of superheroes with Wonder Woman 1984, is in talks to star in Paramount and eOne's long-gestating and big-budget Dungeons & Dragons movie.

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley — the duo behind New Line's sleeper hit Game Night — are set to direct the feature that is based on the popular role-playing fantasy game. Goldstein and Daley also wrote the latest version of the script, based on a previous draft by Michael Gilio.

Plot details are being kept under the chainmail but the game is known for its wargames, treasure hunts, campaigns, camaraderie and reversals of fortune, all in a setting that combines humans, elves, orcs and wizards. The game famously uses multi-sided dice in gameplay and is overseen by a host known as the Dungeon Master.

The role-playing game from Hasbro was previously adapted in 2000 by New Line for a film starring Jeremy Irons. In recent years, the property has been at the center of a legal battle over its film rights, with a 2015 settlement appearing to have paved the way for Warner Bros. to make a movie that at one time had Ansel Elgort in early talks to star. However, the rights eventually hit the trail for Paramount, which has a production and distribution deal with Hasbro.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h...r-in-dungeons-and-dragons-movie-for-paramount
_____________________________________________________



Update: July 30, 2019

Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley to Direct DUNGEONS & DRAGONS for Paramount

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley — the duo behind New Line's sleeper hit Game Night — are in talks to direct the long-gestating Dungeons & Dragons movie for Paramount.

Goldstein and Daley, who recently exited Warner Bros.' stand-alone Flash movie, will be replacing Lego Batman director Chris McKay, who was previously attached to direct and is now set for Chris Pratt starrer Ghost Draft.

The role-playing game from Hasbro was previously adapted by New Line in 2000 for a film starring Jeremy Irons. In recent years, the property has been at the center of a legal battle over its film rights, with a 2015 settlement appearing to have paved the way for Warner Bros. to make a movie that at one time had Ansel Elgort in early talks to star. However, the rights eventually left Warners for Paramount, which has a production and distribution deal with Hasbro.

Michael Gilio will pen the screenplay. Brian Goldner and Stephen Davis are producing for AllSpark Pictures, Hasbro's movie arm.

Goldstein and Daley were also behind the screenplays for Spider-Man: Homecoming and Horrible Bosses.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h...jonathan-goldstein-john-francis-daley-1228032
_____________________________________________________




Update: June 27, 2016

Ansel Elgort in Talks to Star in DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Movie

Warner Bros’ fantasy film Dungeons And Dragons, the movie based on the role-playing game that began in 1974 and has built a multi-generational cult following worldwide, is moving forward with word coming that YA favorite Ansel Elgort is in early negotiations to star in the project — a primo role for any actor.

Dungeons And Dragons, to be directed by Rob Letterman, has been a top priority film for Warner Bros. which is looking for new franchises to invigorate the studio. The property was, at one point, the center of litigation as who had the rights. That was resolved last August.

David Leslie Johnson (The Conjuring 2) scripted the fantasy story for the studio. Hasbro’s Brian Goldner and Stephen Davis, Sweetpea Entertainment’s Courtney Solomon and Allan Zeman, and Roy Lee are producing.

Elgort catapulted onto the big screen with the reboot of Carrie and then Divergent before hitting gold with The Fault In Our Stars. He has since been tapped for the entire Divergent series as well as such films as Baby Driver and Billionaire Boys Club.

Ansel Elgort Negotiating To Star In Warner Bros’ ‘Dungeons And Dragons’
________________________________




Update: May 14, 2016

Rob Letterman Confirmed to Direct DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS for Warner Bros.

Following its victory in court over who controlled film rights to the Dungeons and Dragons franchise, Warner Bros. is now getting closer to getting a film off the ground. Sources tell Variety Rob Letterman (Goosebumps) is on board to direct a reboot of Dungeons and Dragons for the studio.

The Tracking Board broke the news last month that Letterman was being eyed for the job, but insiders tell Variety that others were still meeting and no formal offer had been given. Sources now say that a recent presentation to execs from Letterman helped secure him the job.

Letterman has been the front-runner for several weeks, but the studio wanted to see his presentation about his vision for the franchise. The presentation went well and an official offer is now on the table.

The film has been in development for some time but the lawsuit between Sweetpea Entertainment and Hasbro about ownership of the sequel rights delayed progress. Once the settlement was finalized last August, the studio announced pre-production moving forward.

‘Goosebumps’ Helmer Rob Letterman to Direct ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ for Warner Bros. (Exclusive)
________________________________




Update: February 23, 2016

New D&D Movie Will Have GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Tone in Tolkien-Like Universe

Producer Roy Lee has some interesting ideas with how to bring the Dungeons & Dragons game to the big screen. He spoke to Collider recently about the film during an exclusive interview at DICE 2016, and the approach is sure to raise some eyebrows:

“This new Dungeons & Dragons will be a Guardians of the Galaxy-tone movie in a Tolkien-like universe. Because when you think of all the Hobbit movies and The Lord of the Rings, they have an earnestness to them, and to see something fun, a Raiders romp inside that world, I feel is something the audience has not seen before.”

“I think it will really be moving forward quickly, and I don’t anticipate it not getting greenlit this year, mostly because Warner Bros. has DC now, and LEGO, and the Harry Potter universe that’s being cultivated as their franchises. I believe they see Dungeons & Dragons as something that could be cultivated as a multi-universe movie where there will be spinoffs from the first movie being in Forgotten Realms and subsequent movies being in different worlds.”

As for how much this will pull from the source material, Lee says they’re going deep, and, “everyone who’s involved with it now, especially the writer of the first draft is a fan from the very beginning starting with Chainmail, which turned into Dungeons & Dragons, so you’ll see things that are very faithful to the source material as well as new elements are being incorporated with help from Wizards of the Coast, who are giving a lot of input on the script.”

Lee also revealed that the movie will take place entirely in the realm rather than having people transported from our world into the realm. He also said that the Yawning Portal will feature prominently and “it’s going to be one of people’s favorite set pieces.”

Finally, he confirmed what common sense would lead us to believe, which is that this is an ensemble picture, a smart move since D&D is a group game about building a story with your friends.

Exclusive: New ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Movie Will Be Like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ in a Tolkien-Like Universe
________________________________




Update: August 3, 2015

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Lawsuit Settled; Movie Moving Forward

Nearly a year after a six-day trial was held on the past and future of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, Warner Bros., Hasbro and Sweetpea Entertainment have worked out a deal that will usher in a new film and avoid a judge's intervention. An announcement was made after parties filed papers in California federal court dismissing a lawsuit with prejudice.

The upcoming Warner Bros motion picture will be based on a script by David Leslie Johnson (Wrath of the Titans) and produced by Roy Lee (The Lego Movie, How To Train Your Dragon) with the involvement of Hasbro chief executive Brian Goldner and chief content officer Stephen Davis. It will take place in the popular D&D campaign setting of the Forgotten Realms.

Four years ago, Warner Bros. Pictures rolled the dice by commissioning a screenplay based on the fantasy game first published in 1974. This was a particular risk because the studio didn't have rights lined up. When Johnson delivered Chainmail, based on board game from D&D designer Gary Gygax, Warners began investigating the possibility of acquiring rights from Hasbro.

Warners offered $5 million to purchase rights and 5 percent gross, but Hasbro made a deal with Universal Pictures instead. This didn't end the matter, however, because Warners was quite enthusiastic about Johnson's script and D&D rights turned out to be complicated.

In 1994, Courtney Solomon's Sweetpea optioned D&D from a Hasbro subsidiary for a mere $15,000 and eventually produced a film released in 2000 that was both a commercial and critical flop.

Sweetpea deal — actually an amendment to the contract to resolve prior litigation — gave Sweetpea sequel rights so long as it produced one in a timely fashion. And so, two more D&D films came out. The first, Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God, premiered on the SyFy Channel in 2005 and the second,Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness, aired on the SyFy Channel in 2012.

After Universal beat Warner Bros. to a deal with Hasbro for a new film, Warners began investigating the possibility of getting rights through Sweetpea.

Hasbro contended that Sweetpea's rights had reverted, and that its TV films didn't constitute proper sequels. The issue was brought to trial last September in a proxy war of sorts between two big studios.

On Monday, after months of negotiation, the parties were finally able to reveal they had come to an undisclosed arrangement to end the lawsuit, but one that will give Warner Bros. confidence in moving forward with its film. It's unclear whether Universal has signed off on this deal.

'Dungeons & Dragons' Legal Settlement Paves Way for New Warner Bros. Movie

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Update: September 9, 2013

Sweetpea Countersues to Stop Universal's Dungeons & Dragons

Will a new Dungeons and Dragons film be made by Warner Bros. or will it be made by Universal Pictures? A legal game is afoot to settle the answer. Courtney Solomon's Sweetpea Entertainment believes that it can set up a movie for Warner Bros. In 1994, Solomon's company acquired D&D film rights in a deal with Hasbro and has since made one theatrical motion picture and two TV films. It was eyeing a fourth D&D film for Warner Bros., but before a deal was completed, Hasbro filed a lawsuit to stop it.

In its May lawsuit, Hasbro claimed that Sweetpea's rights had reverted. Believing that it had regained rights, Hasbro licensed Universal Pictures to make a "Dungeons and Dragons" reboot, and upon word of another D&D film in development, the toy company alleged that Sweetpea had committed copyright infringement.

Sweetpea has now hit back with counterclaims, alleging that Hasbro lacks the rights to allow Universal Pictures to go forward. "Hasbro wrote a check it cannot cash by promising Universal Pictures film rights to "Dungeons & Dragons" that it does not have," say the counterclaims filed last week.

The dispute is as much about how to read an ambiguous contract as it is about anything else. Under the terms of the '94 agreement and a later amendment, "sequel rights" revert back to Hasbro after five years of the initial release. Solomon's company produced a 2000 theatrical film version of Dungeons and Dragons, so if the parties count from that year, it's been well over five years. But Solomon's company also produced two TV films, including Wrath of the Dragon God for the SyFi Channel in 2005 and The Book of Vile Darkness last year. So perhaps those works toll the clock.

In reaction to Hasbro's lawsuit, Sweetpea attempted to have it dismissed, but last month a federal judge said it was too premature to do so. Hasbro is arguing that that the contract has separate reversion clauses for film and television, and that as a result, a TV movie doesn't count as a sequel. The judge isn't ready just yet to reject the possibility of reading the contract as so.

Sweetpea Entertainment Aims to Stop Universal's DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS Film
________________________________




Update: May 14, 2013

Hasbro Sues to Stop Warner Bros.' DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

Hasbro Inc. is not in the mood to play games. On Monday, the toy company filed a lawsuit against producer Courtney Solomon's Sweetpea Entertainment, alleging that it has no right to make a new film that exploits its "Dungeons and Dragons" brand. Solomon produced the 2000 film version of Dungeons and Dragons and is reportedly working with Warner Bros. on another Dungeons & Dragons movie. That film is based on Chainmail, a board game from Dungeons & Dragons designer Gary Gygax.

But Hasbro has also been reported to have licensed a Dungeons & Dragons reboot to Universal Studios. So the company and its Wizards of the Coast subsidiary has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Sweetpea that seeks a declaration that it owns rights to the property and an injunction to stop the planned Warner Bros. film.

According to the complaint, Sweetpea acquired rights to the property by an agreement in 1994. As part of the agreement, Solomon's company got the right to do a sequel or prequel. But the lawsuit states, "Sweetpea's claim of ownership of the theatrical motion picture rights in the Property is baseless because the Sequel Rights have reverted to Hasbro."

Hasbro Sues to Stop Warner Bros. 'Dungeons and Dragons' Adaptation (Exclusive)
________________________________



Update: May 10, 2013

Warner Bros., Hasbro/Universal Battle Over D&D Movie Rights

A few days ago, it was reported that Warner Bros making big plans on a live-action feature based on the role-playing fantasy game fixture Dungeons & Dragons. Not so fast, says Hasbro, which claims that it owns the rights to D&D, and that the toymaker company has set up the project at Universal to be developed as a directing vehicle by Chris Morgan, the scribe behind the last five films in The Fast And The Furious franchise (including the upcoming Fast 6) and 47 Ronin.

Warner Bros isn't backing down from its plans to move forward on a project that already has a completed script by Wrath Of The Titans scribe David Leslie Johnson, with Roy Lee producing alongside Courtney Solomon. Solomon actually directed the 2000 feature based on the billion-dollar fantasy game. Hasbro spokesman Wayne Charness said that "Hasbro owns the intellectual property rights to Dungeons & Dragons, period, because of Hasbro's acquisition of Wizards Of The Coast in 1998."

Insiders on the WB project maintain this has come up before, and that in a binding arbitration decision, Solomon prevailed and was proven to hold the underlying rights necessary to make the Warner Bros movie possible.

Rights Battle On ‘Dungeons & Dragons’: Warner Bros and Universal/Hasbro Tangle
________________________________



Update: May 7, 2013

Warner Bros. to Develop New DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Movie

This ought to reverberate through the geek realm. Warner Bros has acquired rights to make a movie based on Dungeons & Dragons, the perennially popular role-playing game fantasy game. The studio is actually quite far along in the development of the project, as it will use a script by Wrath Of The Titans and Red Riding Hood scribe and Frank Darabont protege David Leslie Johnson. The studio is going out to filmmakers and sources tell Deadline they are treating it as a big priority.

That script, Chainmail, was acquired last year as a free-standing project, based on an obscure game that was also hatched by D&D designer Gary Gygax before he and Dave Arneson launched D&D. It is being retro-fitted to fit the much bigger game creation. Allan Zeman is exec producing. The film will be produced by The Lego Movie producer Roy Lee and Courtney Solomon. The latter actually directed a 2000 Dungeons & Dragons feature, a film that starred Jeremy Irons and did not do well.

Given the heightened interest in sword, sorcery, chivalry and cool creatures within Warner Bros with the HBO series Game Of Thrones and the ongoing Peter Jackson-directed adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, it is expected that the studio will expend the necessary resources to create a world around a well-established brand which has generated north of $1 billion in books and merchandise since it was launched in 1974.

WB to Develop New DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Movie from David Leslie Johnson's Script

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

The 2000 Dungeons & Dragons is one of the worst films I've seen and it's not a comforting thought that producer/director Courtney Solomon and producer Allan Zeman are back for the new movie.

But then again, that moron producer Jon Peters is also on board Man of Steel and it looks like he doesn't have any creative input and the movie looks great.

 

[Peteyandjia]

How many Game of Thrones threads do we need?

 

[Misfit23]

The last one was good. Why do they want to ruin a masterpiece?

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

How many Game of Thrones threads do we need?

Discussing D&D books and events = Ban!

Spoiler

in case anyone is dense enough, I am joking of course.

 

[milliniar]

if you got the main licence from Hasbro could they get drizzt or dragonlance and aim for trilogy or more....

 

[Francis Rossi]

Just film a bunch of dudes sat round a table with 85-sided dice and it'd be better than the last attempt.

 

[Gates of Janus]

can we put spoilers in a tag that you would need infrared vision to view it? i have a level 12 elf fighter and he could read it to me.

lol, i had an elf and every room it was like "i put out the torches and see if my elf can see anything". needless to say my friend and DM killed the elf and then desecrated his body so he could never be resurrected. lol, dick.

 

[Halge]

Dark Sun setting.

 

[Archie Goodwin]

 

[gabe1k]

It's going to be too much like the WOW movie.

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Update: May 10, 2013

Warner Bros. and Hasbro/Universal Battle Over DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Rights

A few days ago, it was reported that Warner Bros making big plans on a live-action feature based on the role-playing fantasy game fixture Dungeons & Dragons. Not so fast, says Hasbro, which claims that it owns the rights to D&D, and that the toymaker company has set up the project at Universal to be developed as a directing vehicle by Chris Morgan, the scribe behind the last five films in The Fast And The Furious franchise (including the upcoming Fast 6) and 47 Ronin.

Warner Bros isn't backing down from its plans to move forward on a project that already has a completed script by Wrath Of The Titans scribe David Leslie Johnson, with Roy Lee producing alongside Courtney Solomon. Solomon actually directed the 2000 feature based on the billion-dollar fantasy game. Hasbro spokesman Wayne Charness said that "Hasbro owns the intellectual property rights to Dungeons & Dragons, period, because of Hasbro's acquisition of Wizards Of The Coast in 1998."

Insiders on the WB project maintain this has come up before, and that in a binding arbitration decision, Solomon prevailed and was proven to hold the underlying rights necessary to make the Warner Bros movie possible.

Rights Battle On Dungeons & Dragons: Warner Bros and Universal/Hasbro Tangle

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Literal lol.

 

[BYENDREY]

The first movie was so bad. How can you even consider Marlon Wayons as a co-star in a fantasy movie? I'm pretty sure they did everything they could wrong including the script. At the end when the bad guy has the septure of dragon control or whatever it was and all of those dragons are flying around you can't get any cheesier.

The studio and director and the ones that will make or break the movie. There is so much source material you could easily label any movie including lord of the rings or game of thrones D&D and it would still fit. The point being that they really aren't constrained in any way. I do think a good movie would at least have a diverse party shown forming up as youth and then growing together. Lots of character development and gearing up to culminate in a big battle towards the end. At least 1-2 good characters should die. If they could make at least a piece of the move a dungeon crawler that would be pretty cool to.

 

[youandme]

 

[Caution]

I dont see this movie having much mass appeal even if it is good, may get a cult following in time but chances are it will bomb and be forgotten about.

 

[BYENDREY]

I dont see this movie having much mass appeal even if it is good, may get a cult following in time but chances are it will bomb and be forgotten about.

Do what? Fantasy style movies knock it out of the park when they are done well. Hell they could make a movie about pretty much anything and if the director legit like Spielberg the movie is going to have mass appeal.

 

[Hurricane Brad]

Well I guess they'd have to try pretty hard to make it any shittier than the last D&D movie.