Octopus Overlords

Given how the D&D license has been handled in other media - with only a few exceptions - I'm hesitant. But this is happening.

Confirmed are Chris Pine, Rege-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, Jason Wong, Daisy Head, Justice Smith, Michelle Rodriguez. Hugh Grant, and Sophia Lillis. Dave Arneson has a writer's credit, with the screenplay by two guys I don't know (but one did Spider-Man: Homecoming, so there's that.)

New rumor today is that Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast.

There have been a lot of rumors over the years about the content, but nothing has been confirmed. At one point it was supposed to be a Drizzt movie (although the makeup could be problematic in this day and age, and D&D is being very careful with the Drow right now anyway.)

All that is known for sure is this set photo:

Again, I'm skeptical. It would be great if it could kick off an MCU-quality film series (their hope), but nobody ever seems to know how to treat fantasy in film without making it cheesy garbage.

That is a better than average cast for a D&D movie.

Oh no plz no!! WTF is Chris Pine thinking?

Every other D&D media project occurred in the era when role-playing games were a niche hobby for nerds. With RPGs now much more hip and high-profile, I could see someone putting real money into this.

And that is an interesting cast. I doubt you'd see Cumberbatch on board if the script were garbage (that is, unless he's entering his late-period Jeremy Irons phase).

Is Uwe directing?

Scuzz wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 3:57 pm That is a better than average cast for a D&D movie.

Especially with two Hugh Grants.

He's not been the same since that hooker incident.

Are you saying he's only half the man he used to be?

You had me at Michelle Rodriguez.

Rawr.

Jaymann wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 5:52 pm Are you saying he's only half the man he used to be?

According to this movie he is twice the man he used to be.

Jaymann wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 4:26 pm

Scuzz wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 3:57 pm That is a better than average cast for a D&D movie.

Especially with two Hugh Grants.

I was at Target the other day and noticed they carry a D&D starter set. A few decades ago, I sold all of my books and other accessories to a local cop.

Is this going to be anything like Mazes and Monsters? Because that movie taught me all I need to know about this kind of crap.

Jeff V wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 10:56 pm I was at Target the other day and noticed they carry a D&D starter set. A few decades ago, I sold all of my books and other accessories to a local cop.

My 12-year-old spent 3 hours last night preparing to GM her first campaign using that Starter Kit. Seeing the next generation of RPG’ers in action has been neat.

That said, I have absolutely zero hope for this movie.

I remember talking my friends into seeing the 2000 film... I think there was a typo on Movies.com that listed it as being 180 minute rather than 108 which made by teenaged mind assume it was some kind of fantasy epic. Boy was I relieved when that 108 minutes was over.

Come now, that film had such great writing: "Just like you thieves; Always taking things that don't belong to you!"

First trailer for "Honor Among Thieves"

This would have rocked the 80s.

What the heck is with these mini-trailers before the trailers?!

These movies need to be made Like Clue was back in the day. Let the audience collectively roll the dice and boom choose your own adventure.

I didn't hate that.

The graphics look good and they have some good actors but it just seems stupid to me.

Seems like a generic action movie to me. I'll admit that it's cool to get to see an owl bear on film, but this doesn't look all that interesting. And what's with Whole Lotta Love as the musical backdrop? How does that fit with anything?

El Guapo wrote: ↑Sat Jul 23, 2022 5:09 pm Seems like a generic action movie to me. I'll admit that it's cool to get to see an owl bear on film, but this doesn't look all that interesting. And what's with Whole Lotta Love as the musical backdrop? How does that fit with anything?

To be fair, we listened to a lot of Zeppelin while playing D&D in the early 80s.

I didn't want to influence the thread, but I was left with a distinct feeling the movie (or at least the trailer) was inspired by The Legend of Vox Machina (at least what I watched on Amazon Prime). If you haven't watched it yet, would recommend.

I can't find anything specific connecting the two (directly), but there does seem to be some acknowledgment of the influence.

Based on the trailer, Honor Among Thieves looks like a perfect tonal match for the rambunctious and character-oriented tabletop sessions actual play shows have popularized, and the right kind of D&D film for this moment.

When asked about cameos from the cast of popular D&D live-play shows like Critical Role, Dimension 20, or The Adventure Zone, the panel said that there will be “at least one” cameo from a “well-known” D&D personality but wouldn’t say more.

In spite of some of the dialog not working (mostly due to the character Scanlan's oftentimes anachronistic and/or just painfully juvenile jokes), I really enjoyed Vox Machina. Once it got past the initial introduction steps, the story was fun and deeper than I expected.

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 1:12 pm I didn't want to influence the thread, but I was left with a distinct feeling the movie (or at least the trailer) was inspired by The Legend of Vox Machina (at least what I watched on Amazon Prime). If you haven't watched it yet, would recommend.

I can't find anything specific connecting the two (directly), but there does seem to be some acknowledgment of the influence.

Based on the trailer, Honor Among Thieves looks like a perfect tonal match for the rambunctious and character-oriented tabletop sessions actual play shows have popularized, and the right kind of D&D film for this moment.

When asked about cameos from the cast of popular D&D live-play shows like Critical Role, Dimension 20, or The Adventure Zone, the panel said that there will be “at least one” cameo from a “well-known” D&D personality but wouldn’t say more.

I don't know if Joe Manganiello is the D&D personality, but honestly if he can't work his way into this movie, he should probably fire his agent.

Manganiello is just so damn likeable. If you haven't watched Pee-Wee's Big Holiday on Netflix, you're missing out on proof that Manganiello is a genuinely funny guy who can make fun of himself.

hepcat wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 1:52 pm Manganiello is just so damn likeable. If you haven't watched Pee-Wee's Big Holiday on Netflix, you're missing out on proof that Manganiello is a genuinely funny guy who can make fun of himself.

I went down a youtube rabbit hole around "who exactly is Vecna in D&D?" inspired by Stranger Things, and wound up watching a few videos about his character in Critical Role. Totally awesome.

hepcat wrote:Manganiello is just so damn likeable. If you haven't watched Pee-Wee's Big Holiday on Netflix, you're missing out on proof that Manganiello is a genuinely funny guy who can make fun of himself.

My wife is absolutely in love with him. She about had a heart attack that I saw him at GenCon and didn't stop to say hello. What am I supposed to say, "Hi Joe. My wife is absolutely in love with you and I can't compete in looks, talent, or annual income?"

I thought the preview looked like a lot of fun, and I usually am not a fan of Chris Pine. FX looked promising and I always love Michelle Rodriguez in anything. So surprisingly I’m pretty optimistic for this. Or maybe I’m just a sucker for a gelatinous cube on film.

YellowKing wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:02 pm

hepcat wrote:Manganiello is just so damn likeable. If you haven't watched Pee-Wee's Big Holiday on Netflix, you're missing out on proof that Manganiello is a genuinely funny guy who can make fun of himself.

My wife is absolutely in love with him. She about had a heart attack that I saw him at GenCon and didn't stop to say hello. What am I supposed to say, "Hi Joe. My wife is absolutely in love with you and I can't compete in looks, talent, or annual income?"

He's like the anti-Wahlberg.

rittchard wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:08 pm I thought the preview looked like a lot of fun, and I usually am not a fan of Chris Pine.

Pine is another actor able to make fun of himself. And he made a film called Hell or High Water a few years ago that proves that he can really act. He is actually one of the bigger reasons I'll give this movie a shot.

YellowKing wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:02 pm

hepcat wrote:Manganiello is just so damn likeable. If you haven't watched Pee-Wee's Big Holiday on Netflix, you're missing out on proof that Manganiello is a genuinely funny guy who can make fun of himself.

My wife is absolutely in love with him. She about had a heart attack that I saw him at GenCon and didn't stop to say hello. What am I supposed to say, "Hi Joe. My wife is absolutely in love with you and I can't compete in looks, talent, or annual income?"

You're supposed to ask if he and his wife are open to swinging.

El Guapo wrote:You're supposed to ask if he and his wife are open to swinging.

You, sir, are a goddamned genius.

Why would anyone jump into a cube? Eww.

Because it's hip to be square?

I think Joe M was producing this movie and at one time wrote a script.

Of course, there are multiple D&D 'personalities.' Matt Mercer a possibility, and Vin Diesel is known for his love of D&D, too. Stephen Colbert, Dan Harmon.

Daehawk wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 3:39 pm Why would anyone jump into a cube? Eww.

It would go something like this:

// As you round the corner you see before you a long corridor about 50 meters long. On this end of the corridor, about 5 meters from you is what appears to be a brand new can of Lays STAX, "Mesquite BBQ flavor", suspended in midair. You can't quite tell how it's suspended in the air like that from your current position in the hall but you suspect there is maybe a thin thread keeping it afloat. What do you do?

Switch to a new flavor.