Joe Manganiello Says He 'Will Never Give Up Hope' on His D&D Dragonlance TV Series
Actor Joe Manganiello has revealed that his passion for bringing a live-action Dragonlance TV series to television remains strong despite previous cancellations. Learn how executive shifts affected his Dungeons & Dragons projects and why new leadership at Wizards of the Coast might offer fresh hope for fantasy fans.
For millions of fantasy enthusiasts and tabletop role-playing fans, few settings carry the nostalgic weight and epic scope of Dragonlance. When Hollywood star Joe Manganiello took on the challenge of bringing this iconic universe to television, expectations were remarkably high. Known for his roles in Justice League and One Piece, Manganiello is also widely recognized as one of the most dedicated Dungeons & Dragons players in the entertainment industry.
His deep connection to tabletop role-playing games helped inspire his journey to adapt the legendary fantasy stories that first introduced him to the hobby. After spending five years crafting a full vision for a live-action project, news surfaced that the project had been scrapped. However, recent conversations indicate that the dream of a high-profile Dragonlance TV series is far from dead.
Why Was the Original Dragonlance TV Series Cancelled?
The journey to bring Dragonlance to television involved years of writing, pitching, and world-building behind closed doors. Manganiello was initially hired as both showrunner and screenwriter for the live-action adaptation under Entertainment One, also known as eOne. His mission was ambitious: create an immersive, dark, and sprawling fantasy show that could stand as the next major epic on par with Game of Thrones.
Unfortunately, corporate changes began to undermine the production process just as scripts were being finalized. During an insightful interview at Lucca Comics and Games 2026, Manganiello shed light on how internal restructuring ultimately derailed his work. The key executive who had originally championed his vision left the company, leaving the project without its primary corporate advocate.
"When both of those got put on the shelf due to a change of leadership – due to shuffling going on within [Entertainment One] – those projects became nobody's child," Manganiello explained. "I mean, I was hired by Michael Lombardo, who was my old boss at HBO. He hired me to create a television show, to create the next Game of Thrones for him, but then he was gone."
Without key allies in management, the project quickly lost momentum within the studio hierarchy. The executive shift left the development team without top-level backing, causing priorities to pivot elsewhere right as crucial deliverables were submitted.
"He's my guy. He's the guy who understood my pitch. He's the one who believed in me. He's the one who saw what it could be, and he's gone," Manganiello noted. "And then, my other producing partner, he was gone, too. So, the two people that I was there with are gone, and the people there had different ideas. All of a sudden, those things become the priority as I'm turning in my script. Now, my people aren't there. Same with the documentary."
Could the Dragonlance TV Series Be Revived Under New Leadership?
When news broke in 2024 that the live-action Dragonlance endeavor was officially canned, many fans assumed the project was permanently abandoned. At the time, even Manganiello felt forced to step back from the long development process. He admitted thinking, "OK, I'm out," as the internal support structure collapsed around his creative team.
However, recent corporate adjustments within the gaming and entertainment divisions have rekindled optimism. A major factor in this renewed enthusiasm is Dan Ayoub, who recently stepped into a top executive role. With new leadership taking charge, the creative alignment between production teams and brand managers has shifted significantly.
"[President of Wizards of the Coast & Hasbro Digital Games] Dan Ayoub is a fantastic leader. He gets it, and we work really well together," Manganiello shared. "I think there are talented people within the building now that are doing some amazing things, and we're going to do some amazing things together."
This close alignment between creative talent and executive leadership is crucial for high-fantasy adaptations. A shared vision ensures that project development stays focused on what makes the source material special to long-time readers and new viewers alike.
"The dream was always, always to be off running a Dragonlance series, and I will never give up hope on that," Manganiello emphasized. "And I think there's a lot of people that share that vision. I think the documentary with Danny Ayoub is actually going to be closer to getting out as well."
What Is the Status of Joe Manganiello's D&D Documentary?
In addition to the scripted television series, Manganiello has also been working on an official Dungeons & Dragons documentary. This non-fiction project aims to explore the deep history, cultural impact, and ongoing legacy of the world's most famous tabletop role-playing game. Like the narrative series, the documentary suffered delays during the executive shuffle at eOne.
Despite those setbacks, the non-fiction film appears to be gaining traction once again. With Dan Ayoub overseeing digital games and entertainment assets, production efforts surrounding the project have found fresh footing behind the scenes. Fans hoping for an authentic look into D&D history may see this project materialize sooner than expected.
Key Milestones for Joe Manganiello's D&D Projects
- Five Years of Script Development: Crafted an extensive narrative arc designed to establish a dark, compelling live-action fantasy world.
- eOne Executive Reshuffle: Key partners including Michael Lombardo departed, leaving project scripts without active studio advocates.
- Project Cancellation in 2024: Official confirmation that the initial live-action development attempt had been halted.
- New Leadership at Wizards of the Coast: Dan Ayoub position as president just four days ago following his tenure as senior vice president of Dungeons & Dragons.
- Renewed Hope for Future Releases: Ongoing collaborative discussions regarding both the scripted show and the official D&D documentary film.
How Do Recent Dungeons & Dragons Adaptations Impact Future Shows?
The overall market for fantasy adaptations has proven both lucrative and unpredictable in recent years. Paramount released Honor Among Thieves to widespread critical success in 2023. Critics and audiences praised its witty tone, impressive creature effects, and faithful representation of classic gameplay mechanics.
However, despite glowing reviews, the movie met with a lackluster commercial response at the box office. Box office analysts cited tough release timing and stiff theatrical competition as major factors impacting its financial returns. As a result, the future of cinematic D&D projects remains somewhat uncertain.
Industry insiders report that there is allegedly a second script floating around somewhere for a film follow-up. While financial constraints present real hurdles, star Chris Pine has stated he remains pretty confident dungeons dragons 2 will happen eventually. This mixed cinematic landscape highlights why a dedicated television show might provide a more stable platform for deep lore like Dragonlance.
What Other Unreleased Projects Has Joe Manganiello Worked On?
Navigating Hollywood cancellations is not a new experience for Joe Manganiello. The veteran actor has previously spoken about other high-profile projects that ultimately failed to cross the finish line despite extensive preparation and fan excitement.
One notable instance involved Ben Affleck's planned solo Batman film for the DC Extended Universe. Manganiello was set to star as the deadly mercenary Deathstroke. The project would have featured intense action sequences inspired by Arkham Asylum and introduced major comic characters like Batgirl to the big screen. To read more details about that canceled superhero film, check out what he had to share from his time working as Deathstroke on Ben Affleck's canceled Batman movie.
Experiencing development challenges across multiple major franchises has given Manganiello a realistic perspective on film and TV production. While corporate changes frequently derail promising titles, strong creative passion often keeps those ideas alive until the right moment arrives.
What Lies Ahead for the Dragonlance TV Series?
While executive movements at Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Digital Games signal positive momentum, fans should keep their expectations balanced. Dan Ayoub taking on the presidency represents a brand-new chapter for the organization, and official production greenlights take time to finalize.
Nevertheless, the unwavering commitment from key creators ensures that the vision for an epic live-action adaptation remains active. As discussions continue between Manganiello and decision-makers at Wizards of the Coast, tabletop fantasy fans have good reason to stay tuned. With top-level leadership now sharing the same goals, the long-awaited Dragonlance TV series could eventually find its place on screen after all.
from IGN India
-via DynaSage
