Dungeons & Dragons (film series)

Dungeons & Dragons
Official film franchise logo, as released by Paramount Pictures in 2022.
Based on	Dungeons & Dragons by Wizards of the Coast
Distributed by	New Line Cinema (1) Warner Home Video (2) IM Global (3) Paramount Pictures (Reboot)
Release dates	2000–2012 (Original trilogy) 2023 (Reboot)
Country	United States
Language	English

Dungeons & Dragons is an action-adventure fantasy film series based on the role-playing game of the same name currently owned by Wizards of the Coast. The original trilogy consisted of a theatrical film, a made-for-TV second installment, and a direct-to-video third installment.

A reboot from Paramount Pictures was released on March 31, 2023.

Films

Film	U.S. release date	Director(s)	Screenwriter(s)	Story by	Producers
Original trilogy
Dungeons & Dragons	December 8, 2000 (2000-12-08)	Courtney Solomon	Carroll Cartwright and Topper Lilien		Thomas M. Hammel, Kia Jam, Steve Richards and Courtney Solomon
Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God	October 8, 2005 (2005-10-08)	Gerry Lively	Robert Kimmel and Brian Rudnick		Courtney Solomon
Dungeons & Dragons 3: The Book of Vile Darkness	August 9, 2012 (2012-08-09)		Brian Rudnick		Steve Richards
Reboot
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves	March 31, 2023 (2023-03-31)	John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein	John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein and Michael Gilio	Chris McKay and Michael Gilio	Jeremy Latcham, Brian Goldner, and Nick Meyer

Original trilogy

Dungeons & Dragons (2000)

Main article: Dungeons & Dragons (2000 film)

The Empire of Izmer is a divided land. An elite group of sorcerers, known as "The Mages", rule the land while the commoners are left defenseless. The Empress of Izmer, Savina, fights for equality and prosperity amongst all citizens, but the wicked and powerful Mage Profion plots to overtake her throne. As he plots to rule the Empire by nefarious means, the Empress seeks the Rod of Savrille, which has the power to control the Red Dragons. She hires two petty thieves, Ridley and Snails, who become her key to aligning with the dragonkeeper. Together with a mage apprentice named Marina, a combative Dwarf named Elwood, and the Empire's personal expert tracker - an Elf named Norda- they must outpace Profion's chief henchman Damodar to find the Rod of Savrille; the artifact that has the power to set their Kingdom free.

Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (2005)

Main article: Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God

When the evil sorcerer Damodar succeeds in stealing the mystic elemental black orb, he declares a sinister vengeance against the kingdom of Ismir. A decorated warrior of the Empire, named Berek, and Melora, an unseasoned sorceress join forces with four heroes - representing Intelligence, Wisdom, Honor and Strength - to thwart the evil Mage and his growing army. Together they must reach the vault that holds the orb, assembling their own army, and defeat Damadar before he awakens the dormant black dragon whose purpose would destroy the entire kingdom.

It is the second instalment in the series, it serves as a stand-alone sequel to Dungeons & Dragons (2000). The only returning actor is Bruce Payne, reprising his role as Damodar. The film premiered at the Sci-Fi Channel on October 10, 2005. It was released in theaters in Europe as well as some parts of North America and Latin America,^[1] and released on DVD on February 7, 2006.

Dungeons & Dragons 3: The Book of Vile Darkness (2012)

Main article: Dungeons & Dragons 3: The Book of Vile Darkness

It is the third installment in the series. Shot in Bulgaria in 2011, it was released direct-to-DVD in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2012.

Reboot

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

Main article: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

A reboot has dealt with years of delays with legal disputes over filming rights between Hasbro, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures. In 2017, Paramount Pictures announced that they were distributing a Dungeons & Dragons film set for release in 2021.^[2][3] In July 2019, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley were in talks to direct. By January 2020, the two had adapted a script by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Michael Gilio for the film.^[4] In December 2020, it was announced Chris Pine was cast to star in the film.^[5] In early 2021, Hugh Grant was cast as Forge Fletcher, with Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Jason Wong and Daisy Head joining the cast.^[6][7][8][9] Filming began in April 2021 in Iceland and concluded August 19, 2021, with principal photography in Northern Ireland.^[10][11] The film was released on March 31, 2023, after being delayed from various dates in 2021 and 2022.^[12][13]

Television

In February 2022, a spin-off television series was announced to be in development. A part of a "multi-pronged approach" for television projects, the show is described as the "flagship" and "cornerstone" live-action series, of the multiple projects in development; while the series will "complement" the film side of the franchise. Rawson Marshall Thurber is set to serve as creator, writer, executive producer, and showrunner and the series, in addition to directing the pilot episode. Various networks and streaming companies are reportedly bidding on distribution rights.^[14] In January 2023, it was announced that Paramount+ had given the show a straight to series order and will be produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Paramount Pictures.^[15] In April 2023, it was reported that Drew Crevello will serve as showrunner and executive producer of the series.^[16] However, in May 2024, Paramount+ announced that they were no longer moving forward with the series.^[17][18] Deadline reported that the series will now be overseen "by Hasbro's in-house division Hasbro Entertainment following eOne's December 2023 sale to Lionsgate" with a new creative team and "will undergo a creative update before being taken out to other potential buyers".^[17]

Additional crew and production details

Crew/Detail
	Dungeons & Dragons	Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God	Dungeons & Dragons 3: The Book of Vile Darkness	Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
	2000	2005	2012	2023
Composer	Justin Caine Burnett	David Julyan	Andy Grush & Taylor Newton Stewart	Lorne Balfe
Cinematographer	Douglas Milsome	Igor Meglic	Emil Topuzov	Barry Peterson
Editor(s)	Caroline Ross	Rodney Holland	Rebecca Weigold Stocker	Dan Lebental
Production companies	Behavior Worldwide, Silver Pictures, Sweetpea Entertainment	Studio Hamburg, Worldwide Pictures, Zinc Entertainment, Sweetpea Ltd.	Zinc Entertainment, After Dark Films	Entertainment One, Sweetpea Entertainment
Distributor	New Line Cinema	Warner Home Video	IM Global	Paramount Pictures
Release date	December 8, 2000 (2000-12-08)	October 8, 2005 (2005-10-08)	August 9, 2012 (2012-08-09)	March 31, 2023 (2023-03-31)
Running time	108 minutes	105 minutes	86 minutes	134 minutes

In other media

Wizards of the Coast released a Fast-Play Game, The Sewers of Sumdall, based on the first film. It is a DVD-ROM feature on the DVD as a printable PDF file.^[19][20]

References

1. "Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (2005)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
2. Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 9, 2013). "Rights Battle On 'Dungeons & Dragons': Warner Bros and Universal/Hasbro Tangle". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
3. Couch, Aaron (December 18, 2017). "Paramount Sets 'G.I. Joe,' 'Dungeons & Dragons' Release Dates". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 21, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
4. McNary, Dave (May 6, 2020). "'Dungeons & Dragons' Film Moves Forward With Deal With Former Marvel Exec Jeremy Latcham". Variety. Archived from the original on May 10, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
5. Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 14, 2020). "Chris Pine To Star In 'Dungeons & Dragons' For eOne And Paramount; Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
6. Kroll, Justin (February 8, 2021). "Michelle Rodriguez And Justice Smith Join Chris Pine in Hasbro And Paramount's 'Dungeons & Dragons' Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
7. Galuppo, Mia (February 16, 2021). "'Bridgerton' Breakout Rege-Jean Page to Star in 'Dungeons & Dragons' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
8. Grobar, Matt (May 13, 2021). "Lucy Freyer Boards Owen Wilson Comedy 'Paint'; Jason Wong Joins Untitled 'D&D' Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
9. N'Duka, Amanda (May 21, 2021). "'Shadow and Bone's Daisy Head Joins Untitled 'Dungeons and Dragons' Movie; Paul Johansson Cast In 'God Is A Bullet' – Film Casting Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
10. Hafstað, Vala (April 12, 2021). "Part of 'Dungeons & Dragons' Filmed in Iceland". Morgunblaðið. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
11. Daley, John Francis [@JohnFDaley] (August 19, 2021). "Wrapped D&D today! Still alive!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
12. D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 24, 2020). "'Mission: Impossible 7' Opening In Pre-Thanksgiving Period 2021; 'Tomorrow War' Eyes Next Summer: Paramount Release Date Changes". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
13. Moreau, Jordan (April 9, 2021). "'Top Gun: Maverick,' 'Mission: Impossible 7' Among Latest Paramount Delays". Variety. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
14. Andreeva, Nellie (January 31, 2022). "Rawson Marshall Thurber To Spearhead Flagship 'Dungeons & Dragons' TV Series For eOne". Deadline. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
15. Andreeva, Nellie (January 10, 2023). "'Dungeons & Dragons' Live-Action Series Ordered By Paramount+ From Rawson Marshall Thurber, eOne & Paramount Pictures". Deadline. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
16. Otterson, Joe (April 14, 2023). "'Dungeons & Dragons' Series at Paramount+ Adds Drew Crevello as Showrunner". Variety. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
17. Andreeva, Nellie (May 30, 2024). "'Dungeons & Dragons' Live-Action Series Not Going Forward At Paramount+, Will Be Revamped & Shopped By Hasbro". Deadline. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
18. Hoffer, Christian (May 30, 2024). "Dungeons & Dragons TV Series Not Moving Forward at Paramount+". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
19. "Dungeons & Dragons: the Movie - DVD Coupon Offer". Wizards.com. December 31, 2001. Archived from the original on May 26, 2001. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
20. "Dungeons & Dragons (New Line Platinum Series): Justin Whalin, Jeremy Irons, Zoe McLellan: Movies & TV". Amazon. May 22, 2001. Retrieved October 18, 2013.

External links

• Dungeons & Dragons (2000) at IMDb 
• Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God at IMDb 
• Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness at IMDb 
• Dungeons & Dragons (2023) at IMDb