Joe Manganiello Eyes New Dragonlance and D&D Projects
The actor plans to develop future adaptations following the cancellation of his previous Dragonlance television project.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Board Games
Live Poll
Would you be interested in watching a live-action television series based on Dungeons and Dragons?
Actor Joe Manganiello is moving forward with plans for a Dragonlance television series and a Dungeons and Dragons documentary. These projects follow the 2024 cancellation of his initial Dragonlance series, which was shelved after leadership changes at Entertainment One.
Why it matters
The shift in creative development reflects the evolving landscape of intellectual property management at Wizards of the Coast. Manganiello maintains his focus on expanding Dungeons and Dragons media despite the logistical hurdles that ended his previous multi-year development effort.
Joe Manganiello dedicated five years of work to previous television projects before the 2024 cancellation. Creative development now involves ongoing collaboration with the recently appointed president of Wizards of the Coast.
The players
Joe Manganiello
He is an actor, screenwriter, and producer known for his interest in fantasy media and tabletop gaming adaptations.
Dan Ayoub
He serves as the president of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Digital Games and previously led Dungeons and Dragons development.
Michael Lombardo
He is a former executive at Entertainment One who initially hired Manganiello to lead the Dragonlance television project.
The details
Manganiello previously served as the showrunner and screenwriter for a Dragonlance adaptation commissioned by Michael Lombardo at Entertainment One. He is now aligning his future project goals with Dan Ayoub, who transitioned to his new leadership role at the end of October 2026.
Timeline
2023: The Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie was released.
2024: The Dragonlance television series was officially canceled.
October 27, 2026: Dan Ayoub was appointed president of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Digital Games.
October 31, 2026: Public reporting confirmed Manganiello's new project intentions.
Culture Shift
The move toward documentary and series content follows the expansion strategy established by the Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves film. This effort marks a departure from traditional film-only models in favor of long-form, brand-integrated storytelling.
Fans of the franchise can expect new developments in visual media following Manganiello's recent creative alignment with leadership at Wizards of the Coast. These upcoming projects will determine how the Dungeons and Dragons IP is represented on screen in the coming years.
The takeaway
Developing adaptations for long-standing tabletop franchises requires navigating complex corporate leadership and shifting studio priorities. Manganiello's ongoing efforts illustrate the resilience required to bring high-fantasy content to television audiences.
Further reading
Discover more about the Board Games landscape as tabletop icons expand their presence in film and television.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IGN.
Live Poll
Would you be interested in watching a live-action television series based on Dungeons and Dragons?
