Dungeons & Dragonshas been navigating the waters of getting another on-screen adaptation for a long time, and now that it has one in the pipeline, I am optimistic due to one key case study.TheDungeons & Dragonsmoviesof the 2000s didn’t give gamers much hope about adapting the classic game for the big screen, but the situation improved substantially with the release ofDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Although a disappointment at the box office, this 2023 movie was a hit with critics and viewers. YetD&DTV is totally different, warranting a different template.
The TV show will need to look to other inspirations to ensure it gets the balance of lore and originality right. WithanHonor Among Thievessequelunlikely, due to the original’s slim profits,D&Dis relying heavily on its upcoming TV show to inspire gamers, book readers, and new fans alike.Although Joe Manganiello’s much-storied Dragonlance TV show was scrapped by Hasbro due to the sale of eOne and poor timing, there is another TV show currently airing that makes me confidentThe Forgotten Realmscan get it right when it does come to Netlifx.
D&D Nailed TV With The Legend Of Vox Machina
As soon as I heard thatDungeons & Dragonsfinally managed to secure a TV series after years of uncertainty and negotiations, I thought of Amazon Prime Video’sThe Legend of Vox Machina. Anyone who hasn’t seen this amazing anime-inspired high fantasy show should find a way to do so now. Withthe end ofThe Legend of Vox Machinaseason 3in October 2024,Critical Role proved that they weren’t capable of producing one bad season. This makes me optimistic forThe Forgotten Realms, despiteD&Dhaving suffered ups and downs on screen.
The Legend of Vox Machinaproves thatD&DTV can entertain for years on end.
Based, of course, on the legendary Critical Role and their actual play web series,The Legend of Vox Machinafollows the real-world personalities of Critical Role.As such, it will be different fromThe Forgotten Realms,with strong and exact source material to follow directly. Although a plot hasn’t been announced forThe Forgotten RealmsTV showyet, it would certainly be important enough to announce if it was going to adapt an actual play web series. So, it seems unlikely that it will. Regardless,The Legend of Vox Machinaproves thatD&DTV can entertain for years on end.
Amazon’s Animated Series Gives Me Hope For Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Show
Dungeons & Dragons Should Take Notes From The Legend Of Vox Machina
TheDungeons & Dragonslive-action show is exciting, considering how goodThe Legend of Vox Machinais, even though it probably won’t follow the same format. My reason for doubtingThe Forgotten Realmswas significantly that high fantasy in contemporary TV feels very repetitive and can often lose momentum. Even thoughThe Forgotten Realmsmay lack the guided focus that actual play source material provides,The Legend of Vox Machinaproves that there are still original stories left to be toldin high fantasyand that the genre is far from dead.
10 Fantasy TV Shows That Never Had A Bad Season
These fantasy TV shows achieved the rare feat of maintaining their quality in every installment, crafting practically perfect additions to the genre.
The propensity to keep serving great seasons is a challenging feat, considering the difficulties studios are facing in light of the changing environment of viewer habits and streaming. TV seasons often must be made as if every one is its last due to behind-the-scenes agreement doubts, while they often also have to seed hints of a next season, even if renewal isn’t certain. Navigating these issues,The Legend of Vox Machinahas 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that originality, authenticity, and a well-thought-out plot go a long way.
Netflix’s Upcoming Series Has Obstacles To Overcome That Legend Of Vox Machina Didn’t
The Forgotten Realms Still Has Some Issues To Navigate
The live-actionD&Dshow can learn lots fromThe Legend of Vox Machina, indicating that it could continue for years, but it will still face some issues that the animated show doesn’t.WithDungeons & Dragonssuch a huge, sprawling, and diverse franchise, productions can really be worlds apartin terms of their cast and crew. Created in the ’70s by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, the game has kept evolving. Rights to various parts of its ideas and material are now split across different parties, so one successful show doesn’t necessarily promise another.
Critical Role had years to refine the plot that would eventually becomeThe Legend of Vox Machina.
With substantial rights to useD&Din their games and related enterprises, a group of voice actors calling themselves Critical Role came to produceThe Legend of Vox Machina. Originality and authenticity came naturally to Critical Role as a group of friends playingD&Dat home, butit remains to be seen ifThe Forgotten Realmscrew can defy corporate weigh-insand meddling input to stay true to the heart ofD&D— a group of relatable misfits saving the world together. Also, Critical Role had years to refine the plot that would eventually becomeThe Legend of Vox Machina.
Drew Crevello will be the showrunner ofThe Forgotten Realms.
Despite existing under the same IP,The Legend of Vox MachinaandThe Forgotten Realmscould have little in common and share few crew members, if any. Drew Crevello has reportedly already written the pilot ofThe Forgotten Realms, which is exciting (viaDeadline). However, I hope the show is given as much time as it needs to develop its script and get the plot right so that it can be sustainable and spread across many seasons, likeThe Legend of Vox Machina. Live-action is also harder to nail than animation, but with strong guidance,Dungeons & DragonsTV can keep winning.
Dungeons & Dragons
TheDungeons & Dragonsfranchise is a fantasy adventure series based on the iconic tabletop role-playing game. The franchise includes both live-action and animated adaptations, with the most notable being the recent filmDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves(2023), which brought the fantasy world of D&D to a broader audience with its blend of humor, action, and classic D&D elements. The franchise explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of adventuring in a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and mythical creatures.
