The interconnected World Of Darkness tabletop roleplaying games seem perfect for interconnected films – and that’s just what’s happening.
Tabletop roleplaying has seen something of a resurgence in popular culture of late, culminating in Dungeons & Dragons getting the big budget movie treatment. That film is in the pre-production stage and all kinds of interesting casting is happening. While Dungeons & Dragons might be the premier name in dice-rolling roleplaying games, many fans prefer the World Of Darkness, a more mature, gothic game that allows players to play vampires, werewolves, mages or even wraiths.
As the title suggests, the World Of Darkness series of games are well, dark, containing mature themes and encouraging players to use the system to tell resonant stories. As such, the property seems like a good fit for a screen adaptation, and that’s precisely what appears to be happening.
Paradox Interactive, who controls the World Of Darkness franchise has revealed that it’s actively developing a cinematic universe for the property, with titles set for both cinema and TV. Eric Heisserer, who earned an Oscar nod for scribing 2016’s Arrival=, has been tasked with developing the direction of the project.
Christine Boylan, a writer and producer on shows such as The Witcher and The Expanse is working alongside him and they had this to say about the project:
“The World of Darkness story universe is deliberately and unapologetically inclusive and diverse,” said Boylan in a statement. “It has always made a point of including equal gendered characters, protagonists and antagonists of every race, and representation of all creeds — bringing a female and diverse audience to gaming like nothing prior. Its games and fandom are a place where women, POC, and the LGBTQI community feel welcome and we are very proud to bring these stories to life.”
“The legacy of these stories is way ahead of its time, adds Heisserer, “inviting issues and perspectives other games ignored. This feels like the next step for genre.”
Unlike some properties which have been shoehorned into the cinematic universe format to try and earn Marvel-level money, the World Of Darkness, with its wildly different denizens and tones, seems tailor-made for such an approach. We’ll bring you more news as we hear it.
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