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Paramount's D&D Failure: Vox Machina's Success Makes It Even Worse!

Paramount's D&D Blunder: How Vox Machina's Perfect Rotten Tomatoes score Makes It Even Worse!

Paramount's D&D Disaster: A Missed Opportunity of Epic Proportions!

So, Paramount released that Dungeons & Dragons movie, Honor Among Thieves, right? It wasn’t exactly a massive box office hit. That movie might not have lived up to expectations! But get this:  Paramount completely canned plans for a sequel AND a D&D TV show! This was a HUGE mistake, especially because it leaves such a vast audience utterly unsatisfied; the decision even becomes more questionable because of other productions that did much better.

Why is this so bad?   Because we already have the amazingly successful The Legend of Vox Machina on Amazon Prime.  Based on the Critical Role web series, it’s a critically-acclaimed animated masterpiece showing exactly what could be done with a D&D show. Its success is massive and easily showcases a critical point. What exactly makes the success of other D&D adaptations make the cancellation of a similar project seem entirely worse? That's the question being investigated here. And honestly? Paramount’s decision is even MORE boneheaded after seeing how this Amazon production totally shines! That animation studio knew what to do and those choices involved making a quality product that appeals directly to those long-time D&D fans. The story and its storytelling also clearly highlights those aspects that made it possible for such high critical acclaim that's also recognized by audience members.

Also Read: Arcane Season 2: Everything You Need to Know About the Netflix Animated Fantasy Series

Vox Machina's Perfect Score: A 100% Case for D&D on Screen!

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The Legend of Vox Machina is simply amazing. The stories presented totally deliver what you’d want; it faithfully portrays that deep fantasy world while building those awesome characters and expanding this amazing lore from that existing game; adding a ton of unexpected originality and that makes it something incredibly unique in a fairly oversaturated television landscape, and shows exactly why fantasy as a whole remains extremely valuable and compelling for many television networks to consider as an investment opportunity, despite prior failings. Each season is even more impressive, becoming that iconic series in that extremely specific niche.

Its reviews?  Pure perfection.  A 100% Rotten Tomatoes score across ALL THREE seasons.  The audience ratings? Consistently in the high 90s.   This absolutely blows Paramount’s justification for cancellation entirely out of the water. Why do people and especially studios fail to recognize how these extremely strong reviews from critics might translate to more earnings for the studio involved and completely improve a production, allowing those smaller projects that do not initially appeal to critics; an opportunity for audience and critical reappraisal after launch?

This series perfectly demonstrates adapting a famous, long-lived IP.  It’s possible to win over both hardcore D&D fans while getting new viewers! This really highlights the extremely important, key points within a show’s planning and initial development which need attention. Its success suggests more avenues need serious rethinking – for Paramount especially!

Also Read: Dungeons & Dragons: Exploring the Power of a Fantasy Franchise on TV and Film

Paramount’s Loss Is Another Studio's Gain: Why D&D Isn't Over

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Even though Honor Among Thieves didn't break box office records; that Paramount completely abandoning the entire D&D franchise forever remains bewildering. They axed a live-action show which already had generated serious hype! That show should've taken full advantage of this established movie and created its own unique opportunities within that television platform and explored the insanely wide range of possible story elements within this extremely large franchise – an impossible undertaking!

It’s a seriously huge waste. A fantastic, potentially huge franchise potential simply discarded. That failure completely showcases poor judgement within studio planning and highlights just how many elements are missed during that pre-production timeframe, emphasizing a key lesson about properly anticipating public interest and demands from those interested fans. And while Vox Machina is an incredible success and arguably the better D&D adaptation, that Paramount failed makes their lost opportunity completely undeniable!

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The Takeaway: Don't Bet Against Dungeons & Dragons!

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Paramount doesn't simply cancel that show: Hasbro is reportedly going to shop that entire franchise, showing that its existence remains extremely viable and valuable and could continue expanding throughout that entertainment realm in some unpredictable way, making some studios excited and keen on taking over that project and fully using this property’s immense potential! Even if we never get that Honor Among Thieves sequel, this entire franchise shouldn’t be done for; this shouldn't even end in a disappointing failure without first trying!

The Legend of Vox Machina's continued success reinforces the argument: That D&D TV has immense potential for that specific type of storytelling! This simply needs those creative visionaries willing to try new approaches toward making new content in this widely varied media market.

Also Read: Best TV Shows on Paramount+ (June 2024) - Must-Watch Shows for Every Taste

Conclusion: Roll the Dice on D&D!

Paramount's mistake is so bad and clear, even when those critics who initially did not enjoy that initial D&D release ultimately acknowledge this specific mistake entirely – these shows have clearly demonstrable success, generating a much larger return than simply focusing on a theatrical release; showing exactly just why this production deserved the chance at an eventual television adaption and its ultimate loss is completely clear.  The Legend of Vox Machina completely proves that a successful D&D series exists; now we only need more companies eager to embrace this insane amount of potential.

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