Why Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 2 May Never Happen Despite a Finished Script

During a panel appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, filmmaker Jonathan Goldstein provided a sobering update regarding the prospects of a sequel to 2023’s critically acclaimed Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Although a completed screenplay is already waiting in the wings, the creative team remains uncertain whether the fantasy adventure will ever return to the silver screen.

While promoting his upcoming Apple TV venture Mayday at the convention, Goldstein—who co-wrote and co-directed the original cinematic adaptation alongside John Francis Daley—discussed the follow-up in an interview with Screen Rant. Though his enthusiasm for the project is palpable, he acknowledged that corporate hesitation from Paramount Pictures and financial roadblocks might ultimately halt production.

“We actually drafted a full screenplay for a Dungeons & Dragons sequel after being officially commissioned,” Goldstein shared with Screen Rant. “Whether it will ever materialize is questionable due to various economic hurdles. These high-budget spectacles demand substantial capital, but bringing that dynamic cast back together would be an absolute joy, especially since we crafted a narrative we know the fanbase would adore.”

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It is uniquely bittersweet to discover that a compelling sequel blueprint exists, only to realize its architects harbor deep reservations about its future. In an era where lighthearted comedic blockbusters have experienced diminishing cultural footprint, the first D&D outing stood out as a remarkably clever, delightfully subversive triumph brimming with franchise potential.

Regrettably, Honor Among Thieves underperformed commercially, pulling in $208.2 million worldwide against an estimated $150 million production budget. This financial shortfall likely explains executive reluctance, even though the film’s struggles stemmed more from unfortunate timing than inherent flaws. It premiered mere weeks before The Super Mario Bros. Movie dominated the family demographic and months prior to the historic explosion of Baldur’s Gate 3, a juggernaut release that propelled tabletop roleplaying culture firmly into the mainstream zeitgeist.

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Looking back, launching Honor Among Thieves or its prospective continuation in today’s hyper-receptive marketplace would almost certainly yield vastly superior returns. Hopefully, industry leaders can look past strict ledger metrics to greenlight a worthy follow-up, though for now, one can only wonder what creative heights Goldstein and Daley mapped out in their unproduced script.

Source: Polygon