Ryan Reynolds’ live-action adaptation of 80s video game Dragon’s Lair is apparently still smoldering at Netflix, and the actor recently spoke about the “innovative stabs” that the streamer are taking at the iconic IP. A live-action Dragon’s Lair has been in development for over two years, but since the initial announcement just prior to the start of the Covid pandemic there has been very little mention of the project. Now, as reported by Collider, it seems that the adaptation is very much alive and a very exciting prospect for leading man Reynolds.
Dragon’s Lair was a popular arcade video game first released in 1983, which saw players take on the role of Dirk the Daring, a knight on a quest to save Princess Daphne from the clutches of the dragon Singe and the wizard Mordroc. The “on the rails” game had a unique player perspective as Dirk was directed through “rooms” that each came with traps, monsters and pitfalls for the hero to battle through, which required both skill and timing to navigate. Discussing the project for the first time in a while, Reynolds suggested that the new adaptation could be as innovative as the original game. He said:
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
“I can say that Netflix has approached Dragon’s Lair in a spirit of partnership that I’ve never really seen before. They’re taking such a swing with it. How we’re approaching it and attacking it and what we’re doing with it, I think will be pretty surprising to a lot of people. In its scope I mean. And I’m not sure, but I don’t think anyone’s ever tried it before quite like this. So I’m curious to see how it’ll go. It really intersects in a unique way with technology that I’ve never been privy to in the entertainment industry. So they’re taking some kind of pretty innovative stabs at this particular IP in a way that I’m blown away with. And I’m excited that they’re as along for the ride as we are.”
Will Dragons Lair Bring An Interactive Ryan Reynolds Experience To Netflix?
During his interview, Reynolds commented on Dragon’s Lair being a “living, breathing thing” and not just “a piece of entertainment you watch.” With Netflix having branched out into gaming, and having already experimented with the audience-deciding narrative of Black Mirror’s feature-length Bandersnatch, it sounds as if Dragon’s Lair is going to potentially bring a live action version of the game to life, with Reynolds as its central character. This could involve viewers having to make quick-thinking choices through on-screen options in order for Dirk to make it to the next scene.
Reynolds’ Maximum Effort production company will be producing the film, with Roy Lee and his Vertigo Entertainment, and Underground Films’ Trevor Engelson. Legendary animator and original producer, director and animator of the game Don Bluth is also on board to produce and share directing duties with Gary Goldman. Jon Pomeroy makes up the producer list for the film. Dan and Kevin Hageman are tapped to write the script, and are best known for their recent work on Scary Stories to Tell in The Dark, as well as having story credit on The Lego Movie. While it is likely to be a few years before we see Dragon’s Lair, thanks in part to Reynolds’ upcoming return as Deadpool, there will likely be a lot of buzz around the project when things really get moving in the near future.
