Adapting a quality “Dungeons & Dragons” movie would likely require a filmmaker with a great knowledge of the game and the ability to craft a big-budget fantasy world in the same vein as “The Lord of the Rings.” Or, you know, just go with the guys that wrote and directed the “Vacation” reboot.
According to Deadline, Hasbro’s Allspark Pictures and Paramount are in discussions with filmmakers Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley to bring the massively popular RPG “Dungeons & Dragons” to theaters. The film will be based on the decades-old roleplaying game that has become legendary. ‘D&D’ is set in a fantasy world and would likely have the size and scope of something akin to ‘Rings’ or “Warcraft.”
While the report says that Goldstein and Daley would be directors on the film, it’s likely that they would put their own spin on the most recent script, which was written by Michael Gilio. Before directing “Vacation,” the duo was best known as comedy film writers, with “Horrible Bosses” and “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” under their belt.
As mentioned, the filmmakers are probably best known for directing “Vacation” and last year’s “Game Night.” The latter of which earned them great reviews and was a modest box office hit. Since then, they have been signed to write and direct “The Flash” film for Warner Bros. However, with the news that “It” director Andy Muschietti is the latest to take a stab at that superhero film, it freed up Goldstein and Daley for ‘D&D.’
This isn’t the first time that “Dungeons & Dragons” has been adapted for the big screen. Back in 2000, actors Jeremy Irons and Thora Birch starred in a ‘D&D’ film directed by Courtney Solomon. That film didn’t necessarily get great reviews or make a lot of money, but it did spawn multiple direct-to-DVD sequels. Clearly, Paramount and Hasbro have much higher hopes for this new iteration.
