Netflix Bets Big on D&D With Stranger Things Successor

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Summary

  • The Duffer Brothers’ well-planned path to the Stranger Things finale is coming to an end.
  • Forgotten Realms, a live-action D&D series, will follow Stranger Things, planned by Shawn Levy.
  • Netflix aims for success with D&D, hoping to match or surpass Stranger Things’ viewership.

It’s a mix of joy and sorrow realizing that The Duffer Brothers are almost concluding the intricately designed journey of Netflix‘s Stranger Things. On one hand, it’s exciting to see the threads sown across the series unfold grandly in the finale. On the other, it’s disheartening that this fantastic ride is about to end. Fortunately, the folks at Netflix seem to share our sentiments and are taking steps to ensure Stranger Things fans won’t be left unsatisfied.

The “Forgotten Realms” is Netflix’s highly anticipated live action adaptation of the “Dungeons and Dragons” series, following in the footsteps of “Stranger Things.” To oversee this upcoming venture, Netflix has enlisted Shawn Levy, an executive producer and director from “Stranger Things,” known for its strong connection to “Dungeons and Dragons.” This new project promises to continue the success that “Stranger Things” brought to the streaming platform.

Why Dungeons and Dragons?

In 1974, Tactical Studies Rules brought to life the tabletop role-playing game that we know as Dungeons & Dragons. This iconic game was later acquired by Hasbro in 1997. The fantasy realm of Forgotten Realms, similar to Demogorgon and Mind Flayer from Stranger Things, originates from the rich world of Dungeons & Dragons. Recently, D&D has experienced a surge in popularity, leading to the creation of successful books, video games, and TV shows inspired by its unique universe.

2023’s “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” was praised by critics but failed to draw large crowds at the cinema. However, it managed to attract over 3 million viewers on Netflix internationally (excluding its domestic release on Paramount Plus). Netflix appears confident in the franchise’s growth potential and aims for “Dungeons & Dragons” to rival or even surpass the viewership of “Stranger Things” on their platform.

For Levy and their group, playing Dungeons and Dragons offers a rich selection of characters to explore. As anyone who has delved into tabletop or video game adaptations of D&D can attest, the act of selecting and personalizing your character can be an entire session’s worth of enjoyable experience. Some of the numerous character classes that Netflix and others can utilize include warlocks, wizards, rogues, and barbarians. The world of Dungeons and Dragons is teeming with creatures such as elves, Dragonborns, and humans, who bring diverse skill sets and cultural histories to the table, enabling players to create unique characters of their own.

One distinctive feature that attracts people to Dungeons & Dragons is its role in fostering a sense of community among fans of fantasy role-playing. In these games, players collaborate to create narratives, with each player’s creative input shaping the storyline. Netflix recognizes the spending power of this vast community, as it’s estimated that over 50 million people have played the game.

The Forgotten Realms Plays A Big Role For Netflix

In one of its largest ventures so far, Netflix is banking on “The Forgotten Realms” due to Levy’s recent accomplishments like co-writing and directing “Deadpool Vs. Wolverine” and helming episodes for the final season of “Stranger Things”. As of now, it remains unclear who will take up roles in this series, but we can expect some prominent actors to be part of it. Notably, this upcoming show is essentially a sequel to Netflix’s second most-watched series ever.

The popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has found success with streaming properties like Critical Role’s Vox Machina series. This animated series inspired by D&D is a top-tier show on Amazon Prime Video, boasting a remarkable 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes across three seasons and an 8.4/10 rating on IMDB. Now, Netflix is optimistic that the rich source material, dedicated fan base, and skilled creative team behind The Forgotten Realms will yield similar success for their streaming platform.

In the upcoming Netflix project, fans of the Forgotten Realms can expect to revisit some of its most iconic places such as The Underdark and Baldur’s Gate. However, a specific release date has not been announced yet, but it is expected to premiere towards the end of 2026.

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2025-02-17 22:34