Full Breakdown
Dungeons & Dragons Sequel Script Stalls Amid Financial Concerns
7/26/2026, 12:36:37 PM
Core Event
Co-director and writer Jonathan Goldstein confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 that a screenplay for a sequel to *Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves* has been completed. He said the project faces “a number of financial reasons” that make a greenlight unlikely, noting the high cost of large-scale fantasy productions.
Background & Context
The original film debuted on March 31, 2023 and earned strong critical and audience scores—91 % on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and 92 % from audiences. Despite the praise, the movie’s worldwide gross fell short of expectations. Box-office returns were reported at $205.46 million (Box Office Mojo), $205 million and $208 million, while Variety cited a production budget of $150 million, not including marketing expenses. The release window placed the film between *John Wick 4* and *The Super Mario Bros. Movie*, which analysts say limited its earnings potential.
Since the film’s release, the ownership landscape has shifted. Paramount was acquired by Skydance Media in August 2025, and Hasbro’s former subsidiary eOne was bought by Lionsgate in December 2023. A planned Paramount+ series was dropped in May 2024 and later picked up by Netflix in February 2025, underscoring the franchise’s uncertain future.
Data & Statistics
- Box-office gross: $205.46 million (Box Office Mojo); $205 million; $208 million.
- Production budget: $150 million.
- Rotten Tomatoes: 91 % critic score; 92 % audience score.
- Cast: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant, among others.
Official Statements & Responses
Former Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins indicated he would consider a sequel only if it could be produced “for less.” Hugh Grant, who played the villain Forge, later criticized the studio’s lack of market research, saying it was “the biggest mystery” why the film underperformed. Goldstein reiterated that the sequel script is finished and that the team “loves the cast” and believes fans would enjoy the story, but he emphasized the financial hurdle.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact worldwide gross: Box Office Mojo lists $205.46 million, IGN reports $205 million, and CBR cites $208 million. No studio has announced an official decision on moving forward with the sequel, and details about the script’s content or potential budget reductions remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We actually wrote a sequel to Dungeons and Dragons,” — Jonathan Goldstein, co-director and writer
- “We actually wrote a sequel to Dungeons and Dragons. We were hired to write it. I don’t know that it will see the light of day for a number of financial reasons. They’re expensive movies to make, but it’d be great fun to do it,” — Jonathan Goldstein, co-director and writer
What’s Next
No scheduled production dates or official announcements have been made. The sequel’s fate appears tied to whether Paramount (now under Skydance) or its partners deem another high-budget fantasy film financially viable. Until a formal greenlight is issued, the script remains completed but unproduced.
