It’s been three years since Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves hit theaters, and despite the existence of a script for a sequel, it seems like the project is stuck in limbo. Jonathan Goldstein, co-writer and co-director of the 2023 film, revealed at Comic-Con in San Diego that he doubts the movie will ever get made due to financial reasons. Because, of course, it all comes down to money.
Released on March 19, 2023, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from critics and fans alike, with a 91 percent critical rating and 92 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the film for its snappy comedy, fun tone, and charming cast, including Chris Pine, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant, and Michelle Rodriguez. So, what’s the problem? The movie only managed to gross $208 million globally against a $150 million budget, making it a box office disappointment.
The Franchise Conundrum
While a potential sequel script has been written, Goldstein’s co-director John Francis Daley told Polygon in 2023 that it was never the filmmakers’ intention “to make a franchise” when they worked on the first film. This raises questions about the future of the franchise and whether it’s worth investing in a sequel. Goldstein specified that if they did make a sequel, it would continue with the same characters fans met in Honor Among Thieves, introducing some new figures along the way. But with the financial concerns, it’s unclear if this will ever come to fruition.
Brian Robbins, former CEO of Paramount Pictures, mentioned a few months later that a sequel wasn’t totally off the table, as long as it could be made on a much smaller budget. Because, you know, that’s exactly what fans want – a watered-down, low-budget sequel to a movie they loved. It’s not like the studios are trying to milk the franchise for all it’s worth or anything.
The Never-Ending Cycle of Sequels and Remakes
This news comes as no surprise, given the current state of the entertainment industry. It seems like every beloved franchise is being resurrected, reimagined, or rebooted, regardless of whether it’s necessary or not. The Content Mines remain fully operational, digging up old ideas and repackaging them as new. It’s a never-ending cycle of sequels and remakes, with studios more interested in playing it safe than taking risks on original content. And, of course, the Merchandising Department is always happy to churn out more merchandise, because what’s a movie without a bunch of overpriced toys and clothes?
Meanwhile, the Franchise Resurrection Department remains one of Hollywood’s busiest offices, working tirelessly to breathe new life into old properties. It’s a miracle they haven’t run out of ideas yet, but hey, as long as the nostalgia train keeps chugging along, they’ll keep finding ways to milk it for all it’s worth. Somewhere, an executive is probably whispering, “Can this become a trilogy?” because that’s exactly what the world needs – more unnecessary trilogies.
In the end, it’s all about the bottom line. If a sequel can’t guarantee a huge profit, then it’s not worth making. And that’s the sad truth about the entertainment industry today. It’s not about making good movies or telling compelling stories; it’s about making money. So, we’ll just have to wait and see if Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 2 ever sees the light of day. But don’t hold your breath, because in Hollywood, nothing is certain except the pursuit of profit.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
