By Sagar V. Mankar 
Netflix is creating a new live-action Dungeons & Dragons TV series called “The Forgotten Realms,” marking another attempt to bring the beloved fantasy role-playing game to screens.
The streaming giant has partnered with renowned producer Shawn Levy, who recently directed “Deadpool & Wolverine” and is known for his work on “Stranger Things.” Drew Crevello will take the helm as both writer and showrunner for this ambitious project, which will be produced under Levy’s 21 Laps production company alongside Hasbro Entertainment.
According to Deadline, this adaptation represents one of “Netflix’s biggest investments in the fantasy genre“. The choice of setting is particularly significant, as The Forgotten Realms is one of the most popular campaign settings in the D&D universe. First introduced in 1987, this rich fantasy world has become home to countless memorable characters and adventures that have captivated players for decades.
Netflix’s strategy appears to align with recent moves by Wizards of the Coast, D&D’s parent company, a subsidiary of Hasbro, which is also developing a shared universe for their other popular franchise, Magic: The Gathering.
The path for this D&D adaptation, however, wasn’t straightforward. The project initially found a home at Paramount+ with a different creative team, including “Red Notice” filmmaker Rawson Marshall Thurber. However, strategic changes at Paramount+ and ownership shifts at eOne led to the project being shelved. Under Hasbro Entertainment’s guidance, the series now underwent a “complete redevelopment” with Crevello, resulting in a fresh concept “unconnected” to previous adaptations. This means the previous adaptation by Paramount+, “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” will have no future or connection with the next series.
Released in 2023, Honor Among Thieves, while well-received by critics, didn’t quite do well at the box office. But that doesn’t take away from how popular the game is! Over 50 million fans have played D&D since it started 49 years ago. Throughout the years, the franchise has successfully expanded into various media formats, including novels, comic books, video games, and live-stream entertainment.