From Newsgroup: rec.games.frp.dnd

Does anyone still know what the heck is going on with streaming services?

Source: https://www.ruetir.com/2024/06/01/the-new-dungeons-dragons-series-is-canceled-by-paramount/

The new Dungeons & Dragons series is canceled by Paramount+

Paramount+ rethinks its strategy after the changes in plans, but with
the intention of renewing the Dungeons & Dragons project

Paramount+ rethinks its strategy after the changes in plans, but with
the intention of renewing the Dungeons & Dragons project

Given the growing expectation for adaptations of video games and fantasy series, the announcement that Paramount+ has decided not to continue
with its series project about Dungeons & Dragons It has fallen like a
bucket of cold water on the fans. Initially, in January 2023, it was
revealed with great excitement that the platform had confirmed a direct
order for 8 episodes for a live action series of the legendary
role-playing game, developed by Entertainment One (eOne) and Paramount Pictures, companies owned by Hasbro.

Rawson Marshall Thurberknown for Red Notice y Los Millers, was tapped to
write the pilot and direct the first episode. Drew Crevello, who
participated in WeCrashedjoined as executive producer and showrunner,
while Gabriel Marano, executive vice president of scripted television at
eOne, was overseeing the project on behalf of the production company.
However, the fans' dreams have been cut short, since Paramount+ has
chosen not to continue with the series. Hasbro, through its Hasbro Entertainment division, plans a creative project restart including the
search for a new creative team.

A shared universe waiting

According to previous reports, Hasbro intends for this live-action
series to be part of a broader shared universe which would also include
the 2023 film, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Between Ladronesand the
theatrical production currently on the bill, The Twenty-Sided Tavern.
The decision to pause and restructure the series of Dungeons & Dragons suggests a broader strategic rethinking, potentially aimed at better
aligning all the pieces of this shared universe.

The news, although disappointing, has not dampened the enthusiasm of
Thurber, who shared his excitement in a tweet shortly after the initial
reveal of the project in 2022. Proclaiming himself passionate about the
game since a young age and highlighting his experience as a Dungeon
Master, Thurber expressed his hope and childhood dreams to bring to life
the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

While Hasbro and Paramount evaluate next steps, fans are waiting, eager
to see how this project will transform and if it will finally manage to capture the essence and magic of the original game that has captivated generations. The rethinking promises not only a revision of the creative elements but also, possibly, a better integration into the expected
cinematic and theatrical universe of Dungeons & Dragons.

Dungeons & Dragons beyond the board

The most iconic series of Dungeons & Dragons that has marked generations
is, without a doubt, the 1983 animated series. This television
adaptation transported viewers to a world of adventure, magic and
mystery, where a group of young people was catapulted into a fantastic
kingdom by means of a roller coaster. During their stay in this
alternative world, the characters had to find a way to return home,
facing various challenges and enemies led by the evil Venger.

The legacy of this series It is deep; not only introduced many viewers
to the concept of Dungeons & Dragons, but also helped establish many of
the norms and expectations that are associated with role-playing games
today. Each episode featured lessons about teamwork, courage, and
justice, teachings that have remained etched in fans' collective memories.

The narrative of the series, focused on overcoming tests through cunning
and cooperation, became an essential format for future adaptations of
the game in other media. Nowadays, Dungeons & Dragons remains a rich
source for exploring themes of heroism and adventure, and the 1983
series is fondly remembered for bringing these elements to life in an accessible and exciting way.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.games.frp.dnd

On Sat, 1 Jun 2024 21:34:43 +0200, Kyonshi <gmkeros@gmail.com> wrote:

Does anyone still know what the heck is going on with streaming services?

Source: >https://www.ruetir.com/2024/06/01/the-new-dungeons-dragons-series-is-canceled-by-paramount/

The new Dungeons & Dragons series is canceled by Paramount+

Paramount+ rethinks its strategy after the changes in plans, but with
the intention of renewing the Dungeons & Dragons project

Well, no surprise here after the lackluster response to the D&D movie.

I've said it before, and I'm saying it again:

Dungeons & Dragons is not an exciting license on which to base a
television or movie franchise. The GAME is exciting. The various IPs -Ravenloft, Baldurs Gate, Drizzt DuOrden, Spelljammer- are all great.
But D&D is a lousy license that alone can't carry a movie. A D&D movie
(or TV show) without those associated worlds is... well, it's just
dull fantasy adventure with some license-specific monsters. Nobody is
going to go to see the D&D movie /because/ the wizard uses "Bigby's
Grasping Hand" or so they can see a rust monster. They'd go to see a
D&D movie because they want to see Raistlin or Elminster or Drizzt.

But -for whatever reason- we never get movies that use those
intellectual properties. Whether its because Hollywood doesn't want to
be bound to somebody elses world-building, or because Hasbro isn't
licensing anything but the D&D branding, I don't know.

And, honestly, I'm not even sure that /with/ the characters and
settings associated with D&D you'd get a good movie. What makes for a
good game setting doesn't necessarily translate into a good cinematic experience. The D&D world is weird; a melange of ideas that is
designed for DMs to pick-and-choose to make their own exciting
adventures. Its character classes are unrealistic, designed for game
balance (and, at least in the older editions, for team-building) over
realism. It has little structure and coherence. It's fun for a game.
It's not really great for narrative.

I don't think it's surprising that D&D and Hollywood have never really
come out with a hit product based on the brand. It is surprising that
it took Hollywood to realize it.


--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.games.frp.dnd

gmkeros@gmail.com wrote:

: The new Dungeons & Dragons series is canceled by Paramount+
:
: Paramount+ rethinks its strategy after the changes in plans, but with
: the intention of renewing the Dungeons & Dragons project
:
: Paramount+ rethinks its strategy after the changes in plans, but with
: the intention of renewing the Dungeons & Dragons project
:
: Given the growing expectation for adaptations of video games and fantasy
: series, the announcement that Paramount+ has decided not to continue
: with its series project about Dungeons & Dragons It has fallen like a
: bucket of cold water on the fans. Initially, in January 2023, it was
: revealed with great excitement that the platform had confirmed a direct
: order for 8 episodes for a live action series of the legendary
: role-playing game, developed by Entertainment One (eOne) and Paramount
: Pictures, companies owned by Hasbro.
:
: Rawson Marshall Thurberknown for Red Notice y Los Millers, was tapped to
: write the pilot and direct the first episode. Drew Crevello, who
: participated in WeCrashedjoined as executive producer and showrunner,
: while Gabriel Marano, executive vice president of scripted television at
: eOne, was overseeing the project on behalf of the production company.
: However, the fans' dreams have been cut short, since Paramount+ has
: chosen not to continue with the series. Hasbro, through its Hasbro
: Entertainment division, plans a creative project restart including the
: search for a new creative team.
:
: A shared universe waiting
:
: According to previous reports, Hasbro intends for this live-action
: series to be part of a broader shared universe which would also include
: the 2023 film, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Between Ladronesand the
: theatrical production currently on the bill, The Twenty-Sided Tavern.
: The decision to pause and restructure the series of Dungeons & Dragons
: suggests a broader strategic rethinking, potentially aimed at better
: aligning all the pieces of this shared universe.
:
: The news, although disappointing, has not dampened the enthusiasm of
: Thurber, who shared his excitement in a tweet shortly after the initial
: reveal of the project in 2022. Proclaiming himself passionate about the
: game since a young age and highlighting his experience as a Dungeon
: Master, Thurber expressed his hope and childhood dreams to bring to life
: the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
:
: While Hasbro and Paramount evaluate next steps, fans are waiting, eager
: to see how this project will transform and if it will finally manage to
: capture the essence and magic of the original game that has captivated
: generations. The rethinking promises not only a revision of the creative
: elements but also, possibly, a better integration into the expected
: cinematic and theatrical universe of Dungeons & Dragons.
:
: Dungeons & Dragons beyond the board
:
: The most iconic series of Dungeons & Dragons that has marked generations
: is, without a doubt, the 1983 animated series. This television
: adaptation transported viewers to a world of adventure, magic and
: mystery, where a group of young people was catapulted into a fantastic
: kingdom by means of a roller coaster. During their stay in this
: alternative world, the characters had to find a way to return home,
: facing various challenges and enemies led by the evil Venger.
:
: The legacy of this series It is deep; not only introduced many viewers
: to the concept of Dungeons & Dragons, but also helped establish many of
: the norms and expectations that are associated with role-playing games
: today. Each episode featured lessons about teamwork, courage, and
: justice, teachings that have remained etched in fans' collective memories.
:
: The narrative of the series, focused on overcoming tests through cunning
: and cooperation, became an essential format for future adaptations of
: the game in other media. Nowadays, Dungeons & Dragons remains a rich
: source for exploring themes of heroism and adventure, and the 1983
: series is fondly remembered for bringing these elements to life in an
: accessible and exciting way.

That's a shame.

Does anyone still know what the heck is going on with streaming services?

They're failing.

--
Let's go Brandon!

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.games.frp.dnd

spallshurgenson@gmail.com wrote:

Well, no surprise here after the lackluster response to the D&D movie.

Really? I thought it did respectfully well, at least better than previous attempts and enough to discuss another movie.

I've said it before, and I'm saying it again:

Dungeons & Dragons is not an exciting license on which to base a
television or movie franchise. The GAME is exciting. The various IPs >-Ravenloft, Baldurs Gate, Drizzt DuOrden, Spelljammer- are all great.
But D&D is a lousy license that alone can't carry a movie. A D&D movie
(or TV show) without those associated worlds is... well, it's just
dull fantasy adventure with some license-specific monsters. Nobody is
going to go to see the D&D movie /because/ the wizard uses "Bigby's
Grasping Hand" or so they can see a rust monster. They'd go to see a
D&D movie because they want to see Raistlin or Elminster or Drizzt.

But -for whatever reason- we never get movies that use those
intellectual properties. Whether its because Hollywood doesn't want to
be bound to somebody elses world-building, or because Hasbro isn't
licensing anything but the D&D branding, I don't know.

And, honestly, I'm not even sure that /with/ the characters and
settings associated with D&D you'd get a good movie. What makes for a
good game setting doesn't necessarily translate into a good cinematic >experience. The D&D world is weird; a melange of ideas that is
designed for DMs to pick-and-choose to make their own exciting
adventures. Its character classes are unrealistic, designed for game
balance (and, at least in the older editions, for team-building) over >realism. It has little structure and coherence. It's fun for a game.
It's not really great for narrative.

I don't think it's surprising that D&D and Hollywood have never really
come out with a hit product based on the brand. It is surprising that
it took Hollywood to realize it.

How would do it, if you had to?

--
Let's go Brandon!

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.games.frp.dnd

On Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:20:32 -0400, Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net>
wrote:

spallshurgenson@gmail.com wrote:

Well, no surprise here after the lackluster response to the D&D movie.

Really? I thought it did respectfully well, at least better than previous >attempts and enough to discuss another movie.

Lackluster in terms of box office returns. It made back its budget but
didn't do gangbusters, and as of last year, Paramount was saying that
-while there remains the /possibility/ of a sequel- it would only
happen if it has a smaller budget because the box office reception was
poor.

I've said it before, and I'm saying it again:
Dungeons & Dragons is not an exciting license on which to base a
television or movie franchise. The GAME is exciting. The various IPs >>-Ravenloft, Baldurs Gate, Drizzt DuOrden, Spelljammer- are all great.
But D&D is a lousy license that alone can't carry a movie.

How would do it, if you had to?

I'm not sure I would. But I certainly wouldn't try to wedge my own
fan-fiction fantasy story into a D&D framework, which is what the last
four D&D movies did. Throwing a few Beholders and Bigby Spells into a lackluster story don't make the game feel like D&D. Having characters
proudly proclaim, "I'm a Ranger" in a way that you know they are
referring to their class doesn't make for engaging storytelling. It's
obvious branding; it's marketing, not cinema.

The thing is, if you really want to emulate a D&D game -if you really
want to capture the D&D/table-top role-playing feel of the game into
your movie- it *can* be done. It *has* been done by many Indie
filmmakers (for example, the JourneyQuest series). They're often
forced to go the comedy route though, because so much of D&D is just ridiculous; it's weird restrictions and mechanics that don't really
make much sense when applied to real life (or even the fantasy thereof portrayed in Hollywood movies).

I /wouldn't/ make a "D&D movie". I'd make a fantasy movie that told a
good story with good characters. If it shared some stuff with D&D,
that'd be neat (floating one-eyed magical orb-monsters aren't unique
to D&D, after all. Take the weird beastie in "Big Trouble In Little
China" for instance). Branding your creation a "D&D movie" forces
certain limitations and expectations on you that generally makes for a
poor narrative. Better to make a "Conan" or "Dragonslayer" or "Pan's
Labyrinth" where the story and characters come first. If I really
/had/ to make a "D&D movie", at least let me use one of the official
IPs where the setting was designed around the game mechanics. I'd use "Ravenloft" or "Dark Sun"; can you imagine a "Spelljammer" movie?

But I wouldn't just slap the D&D brand on a mediocre fantasy film and
expect it to be a success.


--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.games.frp.dnd

On 6/12/2024 9:31 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:20:32 -0400, Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net>
wrote:

spallshurgenson@gmail.com wrote:

Well, no surprise here after the lackluster response to the D&D movie.

Really? I thought it did respectfully well, at least better than previous
attempts and enough to discuss another movie.

Lackluster in terms of box office returns. It made back its budget but
didn't do gangbusters, and as of last year, Paramount was saying that
-while there remains the /possibility/ of a sequel- it would only
happen if it has a smaller budget because the box office reception was
poor.

Lost money because typically about the same amount of money is spent on marketing as a movie's budget.
--
-Justisaur

|+-|+
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
-|-4'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.games.frp.dnd

Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com> wrote:

On 6/12/2024 9:31 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:20:32 -0400, Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net>
wrote:

spallshurgenson@gmail.com wrote:

Well, no surprise here after the lackluster response to the D&D movie.

Really? I thought it did respectfully well, at least better than previous >>> attempts and enough to discuss another movie.

Lackluster in terms of box office returns. It made back its budget but
didn't do gangbusters, and as of last year, Paramount was saying that
-while there remains the /possibility/ of a sequel- it would only
happen if it has a smaller budget because the box office reception was
poor.

Lost money because typically about the same amount of money is spent on marketing as a movie's budget.

yeah, but also thanks to Hollywood accounting a lot of it is more based on feeling than actual hard numbers.

for what it's worth it seems DnD was rather successful on streaming, but
well, considering what sort of a mess streaming services are creating
the last few months that's not helpful either.
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