(Image Source: Paramount Pictures)
Despite earning widespread critical and audience acclaim upon its 2023 release, the fantasy adventure comedy "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" stumbled at the global box office. With a production budget of $150 million (excluding marketing costs), the film only grossed $208 million worldwide, resulting in a financial loss after theatrical splits.
Typically, such box office performance would spell the end for any sequel hopes. However, writer-directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley remain undeterred, actively fighting to bring a follow-up to fans.
(Image Source: Paramount Pictures)
In a recent interview with The Playlist, conducted while promoting their new Apple TV+ film "Mayday" , Daley and Goldstein revealed that the dream of a "Honor Among Thieves" sequel is far from dead. Although Paramount Pictures, the original distributor, has reportedly moved on, Hasbro, the intellectual property owner of "Dungeons & Dragons," is actively seeking a new studio home for the franchise.
Goldstein stated that Hasbro still has "a lot of confidence" in "Honor Among Thieves." He added that if the company can find the right studio partner, they are prepared to move forward with a sequel, a sentiment shared by their producers. Daley elaborated on their passion for the project, saying the first film meant a great deal to them, and they fell in love with the characters. He emphasized the sequel's strong potential, noting that a follow-up wouldn't need to spend extensive time on introductions, allowing it to dive directly into the story with an already established cast.
(Image Source: Paramount Pictures)
Daley candidly admitted that securing funding for a sequel presents a significant challenge. "Yes, there are some very real financial issues, and no one knows if it will ultimately be made," he acknowledged. "But we are proud of the sequel script we've already written and hope it eventually finds a way to see the light of day."
Daley also lamented the unfortunate timing of the original film's release. He pointed out that "Honor Among Thieves" premiered just four days before the record-breaking "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." Furthermore, a month prior, Wizards of the Coast had made changes to the official game's licensing, leading many "Dungeons & Dragons" fans to call for a boycott. Daley also suggested that the film's marketing campaign might have been insufficient in reaching audiences beyond the existing fanbase. He concluded, "So yes, all these factors combined ultimately led to the current situation. In any case, we'll see what happens next."
via： The Playlist