Fancast Friday: Dungeons & Dragons

Hey all! Another week is coming to an end and as I am preparing for my next session with my DM and my adventuring party for a battle in Borovia, I have been thinking about the resurgence and growing popularity of TTRPGs and specifically, Dungeons and Dragons. Going down that specific knoll hole made me think back on my early memories of D&D. From playing with friends, rolling dice and coming up with adventures, to immersing myself in fantasy worlds and thrills, role-playing games have been a personal form of entertainment of mine for over four decades.

As a kid, I became a huge fan of the animated Dungeons & Dragons television series on CBS. The series followed a group of friends who find themselves transported to a fantasy realm after getting on an amusement park ride. Once in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, the kids must fight to save the realm from evil while being followed and terrorized by Venger who is determined to take the magical weapons given to the kids by the kindly Dungeon Master who leads them through the realm as they look for a way home.

With the growing success of actual play series like Critical Role and Dimension 20, the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein as well as the cult success of the recent Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the time is right for a return not only to the realm of fantasy but also for this particular group of characters.

I know there are several studios, especially Amazon MGM Studios working on Dungeons & Dragons related properties, but I do have some actors in mind to take on the roles of the classic heroes from this 80’s animated adventure.

Hank, the Ranger

Hank is the leader of the group. He is usually portrayed as a noble, selfless young man who despite his desire to return home, will sacrifice everything to help people in need. Lucius Hoyos has impressed me in his appearances as the young Gomez Addams on the Wednesday series with both his acting and physicality. I think he has what it take to bring something new and refreshing to the role.

Eric, the Cavalier

Often seen as comic relief on the series for his supposed cowardice in the face of danger, Eric is probably the most focused and practical of the group. He isn’t impressed with the fantastical world he’s been dragged in to and just wants to return home by any means necessary. To his credit, he will step in to help his friends when they need him. I think Lucas Hedges would make a great Eric. He has both the dramatic skills to convey someone determined to get home as well as the comedic skills to pull off the character. Hedges has impressed me in films like Moonrise Kingdom as well as French Exit

Diana, the Acrobat

If Hank is the leader of the group, then Diana is its heart and adventurous spirit. While she is just as determined to return home as the rest of the group, she is usually the first one to discover an injustice in the realm and what to help as well as convincing the rest of the group that they should help as well. I watched the series Ted Lasso and actress Precious Mustapha impressed me with her performance and personality. I think she absolutely has the looks, acting ability and athleticism to take on the role of Diana.

Presto, the Magician

Presto is another character that is usually the comic relief of the group because his spells usually have unintended consequences both for himself and the party. He is fiercely loyal and probably the only one besides Bobby who fully embraces the group’s transition into the fantasy world and his role as a hero. Finn Wolfhard is my choice to play the young hero with his mixture of humor, charm and the ability to be self-effacing. His roles in Stranger Things, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and the IT films convince me of his abilities in comedy, horror and action.

Sheila, the Thief

Shiela is the most reserved member of the group and fiercely protective of everyone, including her little brother Bobby as she blames herself for getting him trapped in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. She is the most emotionally vulnerable member of the group and determined to save her brother and herself as they go on their adventures. I first saw Maika Monroe in the movie It Follows and have been impressed with her acting ever since. She really impressed in the series The Stranger as well as the thriller Significant Other. I think she could bring some great range of emotion to Sheila.

Bobby, the Barbarian

Bobby is the youngest member of the group and the easiest to embrace monsters, magic and adventure. As a Barbarian, his impulsiveness and bravado are perfectly suited for his age and personality. Gus Turner came to my attention playing the son of Ted Lasso on the series of the same name. Turner brought great energy to the role and I think he could play off the other characters well and be believable as a kid who befriends a magic baby unicorn.

Dungeon Master

The powerful, often cryptic mentor of the group is responsible for bringing the kids into the magical realm and sends them on their quest to get home. A quest that brings them to other lands and people who need their help. Luckily, he equipped them with not only their magical weapons, but also their titles. Dungeon Master is warm and welcoming, but there is also an aloof attitude to him that makes you believe he is hiding something. Dungeon Master needs an actor with wit, charm and gravitas in both his voice and personality and I can think of no one better than living legend John Rhys-Davies. From his role as Gimli in the Lord of the Rings films to his iconic portrayal of Sallah in the Indiana Jones movies, Rhys-Davies has left an indelible mark on the screen and could bring amazing nuance to the character.

Venger

The main antagonist of the series is the evil wizard Venger who hunts the kids throughout the world of Dungeons & Dragons on a mission to take their magical items to bolster his own power and rule of the entire world. He rides his flying black-steed Night-Mare across the sky and only fears one creature, the five headed dragon Tiamat. Michael Fassbender is my choice to take on the role of Venger. He has the presence for complex villainy from roles like Magneto in the Fox X-Men movies as well as 12 Years a Slave and is truly haunting as the android David in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.

So those are my choices for a live action Dungeons & Dragons film based on the animated series. What are yours? Do you agree with my choices or did I completely miss the mark? Let me know in the comments.