Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley — the duo behind New Line’s sleeper hit ‘Game Night’ — are set to direct the feature based on the popular fantasy role-playing game.
Paramount and eOne’s untitled Dungeons & Dragons feature project has found its villain.
Hugh Grant has been cast in the main antagonist role in the big-budget feature adaptation of the popular fantasy role-playing game from Wizards on the Coast. At the same time, Sophia Lillis, best known for her work in the It horror movies, has also joined the bold-faced name of the production that also includes Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith and Regé-Jean Page.
The game is known for its war games, treasure hunts, camaraderie and reversals of fortune, all in a fantasy setting that combines humans, elves, orcs and hundreds of other creatures. The game famously uses multi-sided dice in gameplay and is overseen by a host known as the Dungeon Master. It is not known whether the story is a straight-up fantasy or incorporates the storytelling and game-playing aspects.
Plot details are being kept under wraps but it is known that Grant will play an antagonist named Forge Fletcher while Lillis’ character is named Doric.
Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley — the duo behind New Line’s sleeper hit Game Night — are set to direct with Paramount and eOne jointly producing and financing. eOne will distribute in the UK and Canada while Paramount distributes in the rest of world.
Jeremy Latcham is producing via his deal with eOne, Hasbro’s entertainment arm. Hasbro’s Brian Goldner is also producing.
Grant last starred in HBO’s drama The Undoing for which he was highly praised, earning Golden Globe, SAG, and Critics Choice Award nominations. He is currently shooting Five Eyes, an action thriller that once again reunites him with Guy Ritchie, who directed him in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and last year’s crime caper, The Gentlemen.
Lillis broke through starring as Beverly March in New Line’s hit adaptation of Stephen King novel, It. She followed that up with a starring turn in Netflix’s short-lived series, I Am Not Okay With This, and can be currently seen opposite Paul Bettany in road trip movie Uncle Frank on Amazon.
Grant is repped by CAA while Lillis is repped by CAA, Untitled, and attorney Ryan LeVine.