Dungeons and Dragons sequel script exists, but money may stop it
Jonathan Goldstein says a Dungeons & Dragons sequel was written, though production is uncertain because the movies are expensive.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
The Dungeons and Dragons sequel is no longer just a fan wish: co-director and co-writer Jonathan Goldstein says a follow-up to 2023’s “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” has already been written.
Goldstein told ScreenRant that he and John Francis Daley were hired to write the sequel. He said he does not know whether it will be made, citing financial reasons and the high cost of producing films in the fantasy franchise.
Goldstein added that he would enjoy returning to the project, saying he loves the cast and believes the script would please fans.
Will there be a Dungeons and Dragons sequel?
For now, the sequel appears uncertain. Goldstein has confirmed that a script exists, but he also said he is unsure it will be produced because the films are expensive to make.
That uncertainty tracks with the first film’s commercial performance. “Honor Among Thieves” earned enthusiastic reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes listing a 91% critics score and a 92% audience score, according to Variety. At the box office, though, the movie brought in $205.46 million worldwide against an estimated $150 million production budget shared by Paramount and Hasbro’s Entertainment One, Variety reported.
The movie starred Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, Justice Smith and Sophia Lillis. Its story followed a mismatched group of adventurers trying to recover a missing relic.
Why the first movie’s box office still hangs over the sequel
Hugh Grant, who played the con artist villain Forge, previously questioned why the film did not connect more broadly with moviegoers. In a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, Grant said the performance remained a mystery to him and suggested market research might have shown that some viewers did not want to watch a film based on the game.
“Honor Among Thieves” arrived after earlier live-action attempts at the property. The first “Dungeons & Dragons” film was released in 2000 and received poor reviews, according to Variety. It made $33 million worldwide on a $45 million budget.
Two later films, “Wrath of the Dragon God” in 2005 and “The Book of Vile Darkness” in 2012, premiered on Syfy rather than as major theatrical releases.
What are Goldstein and Daley doing next?
Goldstein and Daley have built a directing partnership around comedy and adventure, including 2015’s “Vacation” and 2018’s “Game Night.” Their “Dungeons & Dragons” film gave the tabletop role-playing brand a more comic, ensemble-driven big-screen spin.
The pair are set to direct “Renegades,” an action thriller adapted from a short story by Will Simmons, according to Variety. They are also developing the next “Star Trek” movie for Paramount.
For fans hoping to reunite with Pine, Rodriguez and the rest of the party, the good news is that the next quest has been written. The harder part may be getting the studio math to roll in its favor.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.