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‘A number of financial reasons’ could mean that DND: Honor Among Thieves 2 will never see the light of day
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was praised as one of the better recent fantasy films, but its co-creator has indicated a sequel that has already been written may never be produced. Jonathan Goldstein said financial constraints are likely to stop the follow-up reaching cinemas, despite the writing team being enthusiastic about revisiting the story and cast. This matters because the 2023 film was well received critically but underperformed commercially, and its fate reflects wider caution among studios about greenlighting expensive fantasy blockbusters.
Goldstein, speaking to Screen Rant, confirmed he and co-creator John Francis Daley were commissioned to write a sequel but said it "won't see the light of day for a number of financial reasons," citing the high cost of making such films. Honor Among Thieves struggled at the box office after opening in 2023 close to major releases including John Wick 4 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and reports indicate Paramount had discussed a sequel or spin-off with the writers before budget cuts stalled progress. Ownership changes at the studio since then leave open the possibility that a future decision-maker could revive the project.
In short
- D&D: Honor Among Thieves sequel script exists but may not be made
- Co-writer Jonathan Goldstein blames financial reasons for the delay
- Original film underperformed at the box office despite good reviews
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The film's critical success and the writers' demonstrated enthusiasm for the sequel suggest genuine creative merit and audience potential beyond its immediate box office performance. Studios often misjudge audience appetite based solely on opening weekend figures, particularly when films face unfavourable release timing or don't achieve immediate commercial traction. By refusing to finance a sequel to a well-reviewed property with narrative momentum, studios risk leaving money on the table through streaming, international sales, and the devoted fanbases that rallied behind the first film. This represents excessive financial caution that prioritises short-term accountancy over long-term franchise building and cultural significance.
The case against
Box office underperformance is a genuine and measurable signal of commercial viability that studios cannot ignore when managing fiduciary responsibilities to investors. Fantasy blockbusters require substantial production budgets, and a sequel to a film that failed to recoup its investment represents considerable financial risk in an already uncertain market. Studios have limited capital and must make disciplined choices about which projects advance; greenlighting expensive sequels to commercially underperforming films is how studios accumulate losses that ultimately restrict their ability to invest in diverse future projects. Financial prudence protects the industry's sustainability and ensures resources flow towards projects more likely to succeed.
Explained simply
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was released in 2023 to strong critical reviews. However, the fantasy film failed to attract large audiences at the box office, opening close to other major releases such as John Wick 4 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Writers Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley have completed a sequel script, but financial constraints mean it is unlikely to be made. The high cost of producing fantasy films at this scale, combined with budget pressures at Paramount, has made studio executives reluctant to approve the project.
This reflects a broader trend in the film industry, where studios have become more cautious about investing in expensive fantasy blockbusters. Even films that receive critical praise may not get sequels if their box office performance does not justify the substantial investment involved.