Hasbro and Entertainment One are in the midst of planning multiple projects as part of aDungeons and Dragonsfranchise. Now,John Wickwriter and creator Derek Kolstad has been tapped to pen and develop a live-action series based on the fantasy role-playing game.
First published in 1974,Dungeons and Dragonsplayers assume the roles of humans, elves, and other fantasy characters created by themselves. Under the guidance of the tabletop role-playing game’s referee and storyteller, referred to as the Dungeon Master, players embark on a series of imaginary adventures, engage in battles, and participate in other quests with results that are often determined by rolling multisided dice. In 2000, New Line Cinemas releaseda live-actionDungeons and Dragonsfeature filmadaptation of the role-playing game starring Thora Birch and Jeremy Irons, which performed poorly at the box office yet managed to spawn a made-for-television sequel and a direct-to-DVD third film.
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The Hollywood Reporterhas learned eOne is currently working with multiple writers to develop various projects set within aDungeons and Dragonsuniverse, including the aforementioned series being crafted by Kolstad. Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner first revealed aDungeons and Dragonsseries was being considered during an October 2020 earning call, in which he noted sales of the RPG had increased 20 percent from 2019. As previously reported, Hasbro and Paramount Pictures are also producing a new live-actionDungeons and Dragonsfeature film with John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein on board as writers and co-directors.Wonder Woman 1984starChris Pine is reportedly in talks to starin theDungeons and Dragonsfilm, with the studios aiming to begin production later this year.
After helping to launch theJohn Wickfranchise as the writer of the original film, Kolstad returned to pen the screenplays for the first two sequels. The main films in the series center on Keanu Reeves as the titular hitman, who seeks revenge against those who murdered the dog given to him by his late wife. More recently, Kolstad served as one of the writers on Marvel Studios' upcoming Disney Plus seriesThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Hasbro began taking a more active role in the development and production of projects based on its properties after acquiring eOne in 2019. In addition to its plans for theDungeons and Dragonsfranchise, Hasbro is also teaming with Jonathan Entwistle to produce multiplePower Rangersprojects for film and television.
At this point, it appears there are few Hasbro toys or games that aren’t being considered for film or television. For instance,House of Cardscreator Beau Willimon is reportedly being courted by eOne for aseries based on the board gameRisk.
