D&D movie sequel. [Archive] - Wizards Community

D&D movie sequel. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
lostcause
06-17-04, 04:22 PM I am sure most of us have seen the D&D movie released in 2000. I am sure most have already heard about the sequel being released.

I just wanted to discuss it.

D&D is a pretty modest part of my life. However, as a long time roleplaying gamer D&D, Gangbusters, Boothill, Twilight 2000, Car Wars, Battletech, Paranoia (loved it) etc, I find myself being very defensive when it comes to stereotypes concerning roleplaying games and gamers.

I tried very hard to get my wife into RPGs. We both consider ourselves to be nerds growing up. Apparently, I was the bigger nerd - chess club, computer club, math tutor - oh yeah absolutely I was a bigger nerd. We both enjoy alot of dorky things but RPGs were always "my thing". I really wanted to change this. The early days were very rough. The day we saw the D&D the movie was the darkest day ever in the struggle to convince her to play D&D.

The D&D movie could not have been worse. I still shudder when I remember the obviously plastic armor and rediculous costumes of the cast. If a bunch of 14 year olds had made their own costumes and filmed the movie with a home video camera ad-libing all their lines it would have been a better and more entertaining movie (really - no exageration, I mean this completely). Towards the end of the movie I noticed I had pulled my legs up into my chair, my arms wrapped around them in a fetal position from the horror of watching the movie.

I think that movie did more to harm the image of D&D and the overall broader public popularity of the D&D brand than decades of rumor, stereotypes, church groups, and PTAs have ever done.

To have the Lord of the Ring movies released soon after just added insult to injury. Now D&D is far more geekier than Tolkien/LOTR - those of you that have read LOTR I am sure most would admit the books are dorkier than D&D (remember Tom Bombadil).

How can they hope to release another D&D movie? Especially if they actually call it "D&D: The Sequel" or "D&D 2". I am not saying they wont make money (though I strongly question the likelihood of a profitable sequel), I am saying that they are risking further damaging the potential for broader popularity of the D&D brand.

I think it would be much better for WOTC to recoup the movie rights - buy them back if they have to - to protect the brand. Then use the "Forgotten Realms" or "Dragonlance" brands to make a movie that is actually well done, with decent production values and effects. These brands as movie names are more likely to have a broader public appeal anyway.
Ranger REG
06-17-04, 04:55 PM Originally posted by lostcause

How can they hope to release another D&D movie? Especially if they actually call it "D&D: The Sequel" or "D&D 2". I am not saying they wont make money (though I strongly question the likelihood of a profitable sequel), I am saying that they are risking further damaging the potential for broader popularity of the D&D brand.

I think it would be much better for WOTC to recoup the movie rights - buy them back if they have too - to protect the brand. Then use the "Forgotten Realms" or "Dragonlance" brands to make a movie that is actually well done, with decent production values and effects. These brands as movie names are more likely to have a broader public appeal anyway.
Personally, it didn't damage the popularity of the D&D brand. Granted, it was an embarrassing movie, but there is no significant damage done. D&D is still being used in many monologues by Jay Leno and any talk show hosts, Vin Diesel have talked about D&D publicly whenever he can, the GE commercial with the display of the Player's Handbook increased that exposure when it was first shown in the Super Bowl about two years ago, and who could not forget the memorable Buffy series finale episode?

Look at it this way. The first LOTR film was the Rankin-Bass animation, and that did not go well. It was many years later, and with the same level of skepticism that a lesser known director from New Zealand took up the mantle to make LOTR. THAT did go well.

Sooner or later -- one can pray it is sooner before I board the Grey Ship and head Into the West -- they will get it right.
Stardrake
06-17-04, 10:45 PM If a bunch of 14 year olds had made their own costumes and filmed the movie with a home video camera ad-libing all their lines it would have been a better and more entertaining movie (really - no exageration, I mean this completely).

They did. (Well, almost--I believe they were college students)

Dead Gentlemen Productions' THE GAMERS is pretty much that--and it's FUNNY!!! Intentionally! If you haven't seen it, you should.
dnddreamer
06-17-04, 11:11 PM As horrible as the first movie was...I'm still interested in watching the sequel. Where did you find information on the sequel?
Leibel
06-17-04, 11:25 PM The DnD movie damaging the game's reputation.

It turned me off of the game for 3 years. Hows that sound.

I only got the 3.5 books because it was a new company although I am worried WOTC will ruin DnD the way they ruined MTG.
Vaettyr
06-18-04, 12:55 PM Originally posted by lostcause
How can they hope to release another D&D movie? Especially if they actually call it "D&D: The Sequel" or "D&D 2".
Oh, c'mon. Be fair. We all know what the sequel will be called:

Advanced Dungeons and Dragons.

Besides though, not many people other than gamers really payed much attention to the first one. How long was it in theatres, a month maybe? I wouldn't be surprised if the sequel was a straight to video deal anyhow. Plus, there's one really good thing about the original D&D movie: it was soo ripe for a good MST3K'ing. Trust me, only thing that makes it enjoyable is renting it and tearing it to peices with some friends. Try it!
was_fired
06-18-04, 01:29 PM Would we really want to give them an exuse to claim another connection between D&D and ADD? :D
Sulaco
06-18-04, 01:33 PM Originally posted by Leibel
The DnD movie damaging the game's reputation.

It turned me off of the game for 3 years. Hows that sound.

Baffling. Why would you stop gaming just cos of a bad movie? :confused:
Gnome of Power
06-18-04, 02:26 PM if the movie is anything like the last one I will not see it
the last on ewas not only a disgrace to DnD, but a disgrace to humanity itself

I would like to see a movie about Drizz't or something else taking place Faerun or Eberron
Ranger REG
06-19-04, 03:35 AM Originally posted by Sulaco

Baffling. Why would you stop gaming just cos of a bad movie? :confused:
Let it go. Some gamers out there just defy all reasonings. :uh-huh:
SnowbearK
06-19-04, 05:50 AM While it did not turn me off as far as gaming goes, it did color my opinion of 3rd Edition and make me crave all the more for 2nd.

I swore I'd never give up my 2nd Edition game, and it took a lot just for me to try it. My best friend and DM for 16 years couldn't persuade me to try it until he said he'd try one of my Shadowrun games.

Still haven't given up 2E, but mostly play D&D Pi Edition now.
WraithXIII
06-19-04, 10:35 AM The plot was decent, actually, but the movie suffered somewhat by overacting. Irons plays an excellent villian, but it seems he was hamming it up, when he should've played something closer to Simon Gruber. The scariest villians are the ones that aren't ranting and raving, but plotting, playing both sides, dispatching their opponents in a ruthless way. Ridley...yeah, here's another character that had potential in the beginning, then went downhill from there. Two things come into mind, Snail's death. That actor could've shown more realistic grief, it just seemed too forced. The second incident was on the tower when Ridley was holding the Red Dragon Staff. That wannabe insane power grin was too cheesy. The guy who played the dwarf turned in a much better performance in Pirates of the Caribbean, in D&D it was almost like watching a psychotic kender with an anger problem. I give kudos to the characters of Damodar and Zoe's wizardess, whose name eludes me.

all in all, the DVD is still in my collection and if I watch it, I just forget everything else and lose myself in the film. It's not that bad, but in the light of LotR, it should have been much better. I am not adverse to a sequel, but they seriously need to consult with real gamers and guys like Greenwood, Weis, Hickman, and Salvatore. If anyone could make a D&D movie an success, those four names could.
Soel Griffin
06-19-04, 11:32 AM The first film was soooo awful on many levels ( remember the way the dwarf, elf, and wizard all just sort of stumbled around when the protagonist battled evil wizard? And when "only the main protagonist could venture into the cave?") In a sort of defense of Irons, he said later that his overacting was meant to echo the way the game was played ( sort of an in joke, or maybe a swipe at gamers?)
A second possible movie has so much predjudice to overcome...
ORC_Paradox
06-19-04, 11:47 AM The more I watch it, the more I like it.

And, before that happened, I had to recall my early days of D&D.

With all the griping about the Star Wars Prequels, I watched the original trilogy, and somehow it didn't have the magic I remember. Then I watched the Muppet Show with the Star Wars characters, and then, the magic returned. Star Wars wasn't about politics. It wasn't about the republic. It was about Luke Skywalker running around with a blaster and light saber and yelling "Remember Alderaan! Down with the Empire!"

People went in to the D&D movie expecting an epic. Or something like LOTR was. That's why so many were disappointed.

Now, put your mind back when you were learning D&D and ask yourself if you'd love the D&D movie if you saw it way back when. You probably would.

Lucas didn't kill off his annoying character. The D&D movie did. I've never heard such loud cheering at a movie before. The net result is the D&D movie gave most gamers what they want the most. Bumping off the annoying character.
arrowthorn
06-19-04, 03:45 PM well this seems to be the right topic to ask these questions.
after reading all the posts on this subject i didn't see where anyone mentioned the date of the 2nd movie.

now i do remember some time last year reading something from WOTC about several upcoming movies, MMORPG, and a TV series, again I THOUGHT i read that somewhere but for the life of me i can find it mentioned anywhere.

so i guess what i'm getting at is have any of you heard and/or know anything about this.

Est Sularus oth Mithas
Bulabase
06-19-04, 04:07 PM Would it be possible to avoid using the term, "sequel" in conjunction with the D&D Movie? It was aweful on so many levels that any connection to it in a future film would only serve to poison it before it even opened. I would be interested to see a movie based on some of the D&D themed literature that already exists. Some of the books, although not Mark Twain or F. Scott Fitzgerald, are quite good and would make fine fodder for the cinema.

Irons plays an excellent villian, but it seems he was hamming it up, when he should've played something closer to Simon Gruber.
I must disagree with you as by far the best thing to come out of the film is, "GIVE ME THE ROD!!!!!!!" :)
Korone
06-19-04, 06:50 PM A second movie could be good if.. they take good actor, they don't give a childish atmosphere to it, they make dragon like they are (they are AWFULL.. damn, they look like giant cow.. horrible).. and a lot of stuff.. oh.. and a good history? I mean.. yeah.. Staff to control dragon (who are already rare).. could be found mostly every where??
It's been a long time that I didnt saw the movie..

When I first saw it.. nice..
But, the more I watch it.. the more I hate it.

Didn't read any D&D novel.. but I'm sure they would be a lot more interesting than the movie was..
A movie with some drow (not drizzt.. please) .. Could be interesting.. especialy if they are some females :drool:
But if they are stupid enough to put their skin brown.. I would not even look at the movie..
Ranger REG
06-20-04, 04:59 AM Originally posted by WizO_Paradox

People went in to the D&D movie expecting an epic. Or something like LOTR was. That's why so many were disappointed.
Honestly, I was expecting a REAL dungeon. I mean what the hell did Ridley went through ... by himself?

Now, put your mind back when you were learning D&D and ask yourself if you'd love the D&D movie if you saw it way back when. You probably would.
Yeah, and I thought the mullet was the coolest hair fashion back then. What was I thinking? :P

Had it been made in the 1980's ... nah! I wouldn't go for it. There is no real adventuring party going into a real dungeon.

Lucas didn't kill off his annoying character. The D&D movie did. I've never heard such loud cheering at a movie before. The net result is the D&D movie gave most gamers what they want the most. Bumping off the annoying character.
Snail wasn't the only problem.

BTW, we were expecting Lucas to bump off Jar Jar Bink in the second film. But despite that disappointment, the overall movie is okay.
Ranger REG
06-20-04, 05:11 AM Originally posted by SnowbearK

While it did not turn me off as far as gaming goes, it did color my opinion of 3rd Edition and make me crave all the more for 2nd.

I swore I'd never give up my 2nd Edition game, and it took a lot just for me to try it. My best friend and DM for 16 years couldn't persuade me to try it until he said he'd try one of my Shadowrun games.

Still haven't given up 2E, but mostly play D&D Pi Edition now.
You should read this Out of the Box (http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=104) column where Mike Mearl mentioned 2nd Edition AD&D.

Looking back, I'm glad 3e is the best evolution for Dungeons & Dragons.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
lostcause 06-17-04, 04:22 PM	I am sure most of us have seen the D&D movie released in 2000. I am sure most have already heard about the sequel being released. I just wanted to discuss it. D&D is a pretty modest part of my life. However, as a long time roleplaying gamer D&D, Gangbusters, Boothill, Twilight 2000, Car Wars, Battletech, Paranoia (loved it) etc, I find myself being very defensive when it comes to stereotypes concerning roleplaying games and gamers. I tried very hard to get my wife into RPGs. We both consider ourselves to be nerds growing up. Apparently, I was the bigger nerd - chess club, computer club, math tutor - oh yeah absolutely I was a bigger nerd. We both enjoy alot of dorky things but RPGs were always "my thing". I really wanted to change this. The early days were very rough. The day we saw the D&D the movie was the darkest day ever in the struggle to convince her to play D&D. The D&D movie could not have been worse. I still shudder when I remember the obviously plastic armor and rediculous costumes of the cast. If a bunch of 14 year olds had made their own costumes and filmed the movie with a home video camera ad-libing all their lines it would have been a better and more entertaining movie (really - no exageration, I mean this completely). Towards the end of the movie I noticed I had pulled my legs up into my chair, my arms wrapped around them in a fetal position from the horror of watching the movie. I think that movie did more to harm the image of D&D and the overall broader public popularity of the D&D brand than decades of rumor, stereotypes, church groups, and PTAs have ever done. To have the Lord of the Ring movies released soon after just added insult to injury. Now D&D is far more geekier than Tolkien/LOTR - those of you that have read LOTR I am sure most would admit the books are dorkier than D&D (remember Tom Bombadil). How can they hope to release another D&D movie? Especially if they actually call it "D&D: The Sequel" or "D&D 2". I am not saying they wont make money (though I strongly question the likelihood of a profitable sequel), I am saying that they are risking further damaging the potential for broader popularity of the D&D brand. I think it would be much better for WOTC to recoup the movie rights - buy them back if they have to - to protect the brand. Then use the "Forgotten Realms" or "Dragonlance" brands to make a movie that is actually well done, with decent production values and effects. These brands as movie names are more likely to have a broader public appeal anyway.
Ranger REG 06-17-04, 04:55 PM	Originally posted by lostcause How can they hope to release another D&D movie? Especially if they actually call it "D&D: The Sequel" or "D&D 2". I am not saying they wont make money (though I strongly question the likelihood of a profitable sequel), I am saying that they are risking further damaging the potential for broader popularity of the D&D brand. I think it would be much better for WOTC to recoup the movie rights - buy them back if they have too - to protect the brand. Then use the "Forgotten Realms" or "Dragonlance" brands to make a movie that is actually well done, with decent production values and effects. These brands as movie names are more likely to have a broader public appeal anyway. Personally, it didn't damage the popularity of the D&D brand. Granted, it was an embarrassing movie, but there is no significant damage done. D&D is still being used in many monologues by Jay Leno and any talk show hosts, Vin Diesel have talked about D&D publicly whenever he can, the GE commercial with the display of the Player's Handbook increased that exposure when it was first shown in the Super Bowl about two years ago, and who could not forget the memorable Buffy series finale episode? Look at it this way. The first LOTR film was the Rankin-Bass animation, and that did not go well. It was many years later, and with the same level of skepticism that a lesser known director from New Zealand took up the mantle to make LOTR. THAT did go well. Sooner or later -- one can pray it is sooner before I board the Grey Ship and head Into the West -- they will get it right.
Stardrake 06-17-04, 10:45 PM	If a bunch of 14 year olds had made their own costumes and filmed the movie with a home video camera ad-libing all their lines it would have been a better and more entertaining movie (really - no exageration, I mean this completely). They did. (Well, almost--I believe they were college students) Dead Gentlemen Productions' THE GAMERS is pretty much that--and it's FUNNY!!! Intentionally! If you haven't seen it, you should.
dnddreamer 06-17-04, 11:11 PM	As horrible as the first movie was...I'm still interested in watching the sequel. Where did you find information on the sequel?
Leibel 06-17-04, 11:25 PM	The DnD movie damaging the game's reputation. It turned me off of the game for 3 years. Hows that sound. I only got the 3.5 books because it was a new company although I am worried WOTC will ruin DnD the way they ruined MTG.
Vaettyr 06-18-04, 12:55 PM	Originally posted by lostcause How can they hope to release another D&D movie? Especially if they actually call it "D&D: The Sequel" or "D&D 2". Oh, c'mon. Be fair. We all know what the sequel will be called: Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. Besides though, not many people other than gamers really payed much attention to the first one. How long was it in theatres, a month maybe? I wouldn't be surprised if the sequel was a straight to video deal anyhow. Plus, there's one really good thing about the original D&D movie: it was soo ripe for a good MST3K'ing. Trust me, only thing that makes it enjoyable is renting it and tearing it to peices with some friends. Try it!
was_fired 06-18-04, 01:29 PM	Would we really want to give them an exuse to claim another connection between D&D and ADD? :D
Sulaco 06-18-04, 01:33 PM	Originally posted by Leibel The DnD movie damaging the game's reputation. It turned me off of the game for 3 years. Hows that sound. Baffling. Why would you stop gaming just cos of a bad movie? :confused:
Gnome of Power 06-18-04, 02:26 PM	if the movie is anything like the last one I will not see it the last on ewas not only a disgrace to DnD, but a disgrace to humanity itself I would like to see a movie about Drizz't or something else taking place Faerun or Eberron
Ranger REG 06-19-04, 03:35 AM	Originally posted by Sulaco Baffling. Why would you stop gaming just cos of a bad movie? :confused: Let it go. Some gamers out there just defy all reasonings. :uh-huh:
SnowbearK 06-19-04, 05:50 AM	While it did not turn me off as far as gaming goes, it did color my opinion of 3rd Edition and make me crave all the more for 2nd. I swore I'd never give up my 2nd Edition game, and it took a lot just for me to try it. My best friend and DM for 16 years couldn't persuade me to try it until he said he'd try one of my Shadowrun games. Still haven't given up 2E, but mostly play D&D Pi Edition now.
WraithXIII 06-19-04, 10:35 AM	The plot was decent, actually, but the movie suffered somewhat by overacting. Irons plays an excellent villian, but it seems he was hamming it up, when he should've played something closer to Simon Gruber. The scariest villians are the ones that aren't ranting and raving, but plotting, playing both sides, dispatching their opponents in a ruthless way. Ridley...yeah, here's another character that had potential in the beginning, then went downhill from there. Two things come into mind, Snail's death. That actor could've shown more realistic grief, it just seemed too forced. The second incident was on the tower when Ridley was holding the Red Dragon Staff. That wannabe insane power grin was too cheesy. The guy who played the dwarf turned in a much better performance in Pirates of the Caribbean, in D&D it was almost like watching a psychotic kender with an anger problem. I give kudos to the characters of Damodar and Zoe's wizardess, whose name eludes me. all in all, the DVD is still in my collection and if I watch it, I just forget everything else and lose myself in the film. It's not that bad, but in the light of LotR, it should have been much better. I am not adverse to a sequel, but they seriously need to consult with real gamers and guys like Greenwood, Weis, Hickman, and Salvatore. If anyone could make a D&D movie an success, those four names could.
Soel Griffin 06-19-04, 11:32 AM	The first film was soooo awful on many levels ( remember the way the dwarf, elf, and wizard all just sort of stumbled around when the protagonist battled evil wizard? And when "only the main protagonist could venture into the cave?") In a sort of defense of Irons, he said later that his overacting was meant to echo the way the game was played ( sort of an in joke, or maybe a swipe at gamers?) A second possible movie has so much predjudice to overcome...
ORC_Paradox 06-19-04, 11:47 AM	The more I watch it, the more I like it. And, before that happened, I had to recall my early days of D&D. With all the griping about the Star Wars Prequels, I watched the original trilogy, and somehow it didn't have the magic I remember. Then I watched the Muppet Show with the Star Wars characters, and then, the magic returned. Star Wars wasn't about politics. It wasn't about the republic. It was about Luke Skywalker running around with a blaster and light saber and yelling "Remember Alderaan! Down with the Empire!" People went in to the D&D movie expecting an epic. Or something like LOTR was. That's why so many were disappointed. Now, put your mind back when you were learning D&D and ask yourself if you'd love the D&D movie if you saw it way back when. You probably would. Lucas didn't kill off his annoying character. The D&D movie did. I've never heard such loud cheering at a movie before. The net result is the D&D movie gave most gamers what they want the most. Bumping off the annoying character.
arrowthorn 06-19-04, 03:45 PM	well this seems to be the right topic to ask these questions. after reading all the posts on this subject i didn't see where anyone mentioned the date of the 2nd movie. now i do remember some time last year reading something from WOTC about several upcoming movies, MMORPG, and a TV series, again I THOUGHT i read that somewhere but for the life of me i can find it mentioned anywhere. so i guess what i'm getting at is have any of you heard and/or know anything about this. Est Sularus oth Mithas
Bulabase 06-19-04, 04:07 PM	Would it be possible to avoid using the term, "sequel" in conjunction with the D&D Movie? It was aweful on so many levels that any connection to it in a future film would only serve to poison it before it even opened. I would be interested to see a movie based on some of the D&D themed literature that already exists. Some of the books, although not Mark Twain or F. Scott Fitzgerald, are quite good and would make fine fodder for the cinema. Irons plays an excellent villian, but it seems he was hamming it up, when he should've played something closer to Simon Gruber. I must disagree with you as by far the best thing to come out of the film is, "GIVE ME THE ROD!!!!!!!" :)
Korone 06-19-04, 06:50 PM	A second movie could be good if.. they take good actor, they don't give a childish atmosphere to it, they make dragon like they are (they are AWFULL.. damn, they look like giant cow.. horrible).. and a lot of stuff.. oh.. and a good history? I mean.. yeah.. Staff to control dragon (who are already rare).. could be found mostly every where?? It's been a long time that I didnt saw the movie.. When I first saw it.. nice.. But, the more I watch it.. the more I hate it. Didn't read any D&D novel.. but I'm sure they would be a lot more interesting than the movie was.. A movie with some drow (not drizzt.. please) .. Could be interesting.. especialy if they are some females :drool: But if they are stupid enough to put their skin brown.. I would not even look at the movie..
Ranger REG 06-20-04, 04:59 AM	Originally posted by WizO_Paradox People went in to the D&D movie expecting an epic. Or something like LOTR was. That's why so many were disappointed. Honestly, I was expecting a REAL dungeon. I mean what the hell did Ridley went through ... by himself? Now, put your mind back when you were learning D&D and ask yourself if you'd love the D&D movie if you saw it way back when. You probably would. Yeah, and I thought the mullet was the coolest hair fashion back then. What was I thinking? :P Had it been made in the 1980's ... nah! I wouldn't go for it. There is no real adventuring party going into a real dungeon. Lucas didn't kill off his annoying character. The D&D movie did. I've never heard such loud cheering at a movie before. The net result is the D&D movie gave most gamers what they want the most. Bumping off the annoying character. Snail wasn't the only problem. BTW, we were expecting Lucas to bump off Jar Jar Bink in the second film. But despite that disappointment, the overall movie is okay.
Ranger REG 06-20-04, 05:11 AM	Originally posted by SnowbearK While it did not turn me off as far as gaming goes, it did color my opinion of 3rd Edition and make me crave all the more for 2nd. I swore I'd never give up my 2nd Edition game, and it took a lot just for me to try it. My best friend and DM for 16 years couldn't persuade me to try it until he said he'd try one of my Shadowrun games. Still haven't given up 2E, but mostly play D&D Pi Edition now. You should read this Out of the Box (http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=104) column where Mike Mearl mentioned 2nd Edition AD&D. Looking back, I'm glad 3e is the best evolution for Dungeons & Dragons.