"Netflix Plans 'D&D Universe' with Live-Action Series"

Exciting news for fans of the iconic tabletop role-playing game: Netflix is reportedly developing a live-action series set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, specifically within the renowned Forgotten Realms setting. Spearheading this ambitious project is Shawn Levy, the acclaimed director behind Deadpool & Wolverine, alongside writer and showrunner Drew Crevello, known for his work on WeCrashed. The collaboration also includes Hasbro, the company behind the Dungeons & Dragons franchise.

The Forgotten Realms, a cornerstone of the D&D universe, has previously been brought to life in the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and the critically acclaimed video game Baldur’s Gate 3 by Larian Studios. According to Deadline, this new series is poised to be one of Netflix's most significant investments in the fantasy genre to date. Drew Crevello has penned the pilot and is set to serve as the showrunner. Although Netflix and Hasbro have remained tight-lipped, sources indicate that after extensive negotiations, the series is now moving forward in development at the streaming giant.

Should the series succeed, it has the potential to expand into a broader D&D universe on Netflix, offering fans a rich tapestry of adventures and stories. This news comes at a time when there’s been no official word on a sequel to Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, despite its popularity among fans. The film's star, Chris Pine, expressed his eagerness to return for a sequel in November 2023, stating he was "pretty confident" it would happen. However, Paramount Pictures, which distributed the film, has yet to confirm any plans. Paramount CEO Brian Robbins mentioned the possibility of a sequel but emphasized that it would need to be produced with a lower budget.

In other Dungeons & Dragons-related news, Amazon's Secret Level anthology series recently featured a D&D animation, keeping the franchise alive across different media platforms.