Paramount Pictures has a completed script for a Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves sequel, but financial realities make greenlighting the project difficult. Despite strong critical acclaim and an enthusiastic fan base for the original movie, the studio faces tough economic hurdles regarding the high production costs traditionally associated with blockbusters set in tabletop roleplaying universes.
“We actually wrote a sequel to Dungeons and Dragons,” Goldstein said during a panel discussion, according to coverage from Screen Rant. “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. We love that cast, and we think we wrote something that fans would like.”
The core issue keeping the sequel in limbo stems from the box office performance of the first installment. Released in theaters by Paramount Pictures, Honor Among Thieves pulled in a worldwide gross of approximately $205.46 million against a reported production budget of $150 million, a figure that does not include substantial global marketing expenses. While the movie achieved a respectable domestic opening weekend, its overall theatrical return fell short of the high thresholds typically required to launch major, effects-heavy franchises.
For fans of the franchise, the update stings particularly because the initial cinematic adaptation managed to defy the historical curse of live-action roleplaying adaptations. The film starred Chris Pine as Edgin the bard, Michelle Rodriguez as Holga the barbarian, Justice Smith as Simon the sorcerer, Sophia Lillis as Doric the tiefling druid, Hugh Grant as Forge the rogue, and Regé-Jean Page as Xenk the paladin. Reviewers and audiences embraced the project’s faithful yet accessible tone, landing the film a 91 percent critical approval rating and a 92 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Box Office Calculus and Studio Priorities
The financial viability of a major studio franchise often relies on explosive global box office numbers, a standard that Honor Among Thieves ultimately missed. In a review for IGN, critic Tom Jorgensen awarded the film a 7 out of 10, praising it as an “accessible fantasy adventure that both roasts and respects D&D culture without losing newcomers along for the ride.” Yet, critical goodwill has rarely been enough to override studio balance sheets in Hollywood.
Paramount executives have previously acknowledged the delicate math required to continue the story. Former Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins noted previously that the studio would happily explore a second chapter, provided the production could be executed for a lower price tag. Controlling the budget of a high-fantasy world filled with fantastical creatures, elaborate practical effects, and complex CGI remains a daunting task for studio accountants, especially when the initial outing failed to cross the coveted global box office threshold.
Despite the fiscal roadblocks, the cast members have expressed enthusiasm about returning to the Forgotten Realms. Following the film’s 2023 release, Chris Pine told interviewers that he remained optimistic about the project’s future, expressing confidence that a way forward would eventually emerge. The existence of a completed script proves that creative momentum was genuine at one stage, leaving fans to wonder whether changing corporate strategies at Paramount might eventually breathe new life into the project.
What Lies Ahead for the Realm
As Paramount navigates ongoing industry shifts and shifting slate priorities, no official production start date or greenlight has been announced for the Honor Among Thieves follow-up. For now, the completed screenplay sits on a shelf while studio leadership weighs the high costs of world-building against the proven appetite of a passionate fandom.
Readers and moviegoers can monitor official Paramount Pictures announcements or studio financial reports for any future updates regarding the property. Join the conversation below by sharing your thoughts on whether Paramount should take a financial gamble on a sequel, and share this article with fellow tabletop gamers and film fans.
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