Joe Manganiello on Why Dragonlance is the Star Wars of D&D

[@TracyHickmanc57d]

I am so delighted to see my friend, Joe Manganiello, connect with Todd and discuss the journey of Dragonlance. Thank you both for your great insights!

[@kevkas]

The man himself. Thanks for bringing Dragonlance to life :')

[@rolestream]

DL got me thru my teens. TY sir.

[@detroitgoth]

*salute*

[@mrb00gedyb00]

All hail the king!

[@azuris0078]

Thank you for the adventure. Been reading DL for 30 years.

[@robpegler6545]

One of the things that always stood out about this story is that one of the most important and memorable character deaths happens due to natural causes. One of the protagonists (no spoilers) dies not in battle or performing some grand heroic sacrifice, but simply because he has a medical condition that catches up with him. That's a surprisingly relatable thing to find in a tale of epic fantasy.

[@MrHighlander666]

First novel that ever made me cry, Tasselhoff trying to come to terms with Flints death was brutal.

[@mrblue21974]

Sturm at the high clerist tower...

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

I love that Joe knows Dragonlance. My favourite character in all of fantasy is Raistlin. It's great that DL is coming back.

[@JoeStoryteller]

love hearing Manganiello talking about Raistlin and how his voice crack with emotion; what a great ambassador for D&D

[@mrb00gedyb00]

Dragons of Autumn Twilight was the first books to truly capture my imagination, and is one of the biggest contributors as to why I'm a writer today.

[@arimill1045]

Riverwind getting hit with the acid had me drop the book for a week.

[@kevinsmith-cb2xz]

I told people in my gaming group to buy the books and learn how to roleplay

[@HeavenlyImaginings]

Dragonlance was my entry to reading fantasy fiction it got me hooked.

[@ChadWalber]

SAME Still love it I've worked some DL stuff into the game that I DM. Even let one of my players play a Kender, and one of my players has a Red Robe as a father... on Faerun!

[@AdamSuperAC]

AT 14 those were the books that got me on to reading avidly to this day........

[@kylelingol3805]

Same here. My dad introduced me to the Legends trilogy when I was 11 or 12 and I was hooked!

[@DarkElfPaladin]

Same her. Though I didn't realize it was D&D until a couple years ago even though it clearly says it on the covers.

[@azuris0078]

Dragonlance really allows the reader to feel like you are apart of the actual adventure group. At the age of 10 I read the Chronicles and was captivated. Through out life I am able to relate with each of those characters. Thank you Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman for the adventure

[@glennryan3101]

Dragonlance has always been my favorite world, every since I picked up the first trilogy in 1985 in a box set, while I was in the Navy. I have read through the first six books 11 times. It is a story and characters that I just have to come back to time and time again. Thanks for doing this video!

[@RobSchlosser]

I reread Chronicles and Legends while on deployment again last year and gave a few of my soldiers the books to read. It is one of the most endearing fantasy novels and will always have a place in my heart. Forcing my kids to read through them now, with my youngest being 9. Cannot wait for a proper Dragonlance movie.

[@chriss2352]

Couldn’t have said it better

[@benjaminriddling347]

I'll never forget the first time I read this series. It all began with the Elmore covers... Some of the best fantasy books that I have ever read. Agree with this 100%!

[@JimFaindel]

I will always remember that first time reading the series, and the second I ended a dread-inducing dream sequence... only for the nightmare to begin. Dragonlance is a story that has walked with me for years, that became a basis upon which my own stories and worlds would be built, both in the stories I told as DM, and how I fundamentally understood my characters.

[@crowgirgen]

I am so glad to see that your not leaving the D&D community. When you announced that you where leaving D&D Beyond, my heart was crushed. You were a voice to a great tool for D&D and to a great game as well. Please stay strong and true your voice. I look forward to seeing more of your content. Thank you sir. Hope we can role some dice and role play in the future.

[@louismcbride4633]

Dragonlance was what hooked me on reading. The first time I ever cried from reading a book was when Flint died. I still reread the original 6 novels from time to time.

[@RecklessFables]

Me too, the first books I ever read from recreation and not a school assignment

[@jasonkiefer1894]

I was super said when Sturm died. Might have shed a tear. Flint was older and I wasn't as into his character. But at the end of Legends some of Tanis's dialogue, Caramon finally able to let go of his brother.... Raistlin. I was a scrawny kid who in high school (when I read them) was the perfect body type with a couple of cocky personality traits to match. He WAS my Halloween costume one year, make up and all. (1990, so no custom contact lenses) Raistlin's death floored me and I openly wept at his passing. Been too long since I last reread Chronicles and Legends. "Look, Raist. Bunnies."

[@nathanthiessen3557]

To this day, I still play halflings in D&D based on Kender >:D

[@DarksideGmss0513]

I'm 22 and I got them as an early Christmas present. It's very good so far

[@ClintOrris]

Oh just wait. It gets even better. There are 190 books in Dragonlance. If you're reading the main 3 right now, you have a trove of other books that go into detail about what happened before and after which really expand the world.

[@pricerowland]

As a 5e player who didn't grow up with those books I am definitely gonna go read them after this video. Consider me sold.

[@emr1d341]

During a time when I'm having difficulty with maintaining relationships with my friends, seeing Joe's look of recognition and understanding whilst talking with Todd is just so heartwarming. I'm hoping to one day find friends who would like to play D&D with me. I was first interested in '99, and to this day, not a soul in proximity to my life is even willing to try. I thought that the internet helping to remove physical boundaries would help with any logistical challenges, but no one cares. I love seeing this so much. It makes me happy to witness and live vicariously through those willing to share.

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

Todd and Joe, this IS the next big saga of our times, rooted in the hearts of so many of us who fell in love with Margret and Tracy's characters. As we all know this series and Wheel of Time will need a Star Wars size budget to make the impact this story deserves. This is a story, that for our generation, is as worthy as Lord of the Rings.

[@jsteno444]

just get hbo to fund it and do it like game of thrones but with better writing and stick the ending and you got something

[@daviddalrymple2284]

What appealed to me most about the Dragonlance novels when I was 12 was their humor. When I re-read the Chronicles last year (for the first time since the 90s), what stood out to me was their constant forward momentum. That's the kind of epic adventure storytelling that appeals to me most: when the heroes are never at rest for long periods of time. (As opposed the kind of "epic" that unfolds slowly over the course of years or even generations.) Star Wars is a perfect comparison, as you pointed out. The heroes are constantly running to something or running from something. Periods of rest last for hours rather than weeks. That sense of urgency is ever-present. There's no time for sidequests unless they bring you closer to stopping the Big Problem. In a tabletop RPG context, it's hard to pull off that kind of campaign without players feeling as though they lack agency. But when it works, it feels amazing.

[@aaronjanovsky9717]

I keep waiting for the movies to come out. Will that ever happen in my lifetime? I have read this entire series “Test of The Twins”, Legend of Huma…. Everything. I think this would be a epic box office hit

[@chinaphone]

Great interview! Dragonlance was my intro to fantasy reading and it'll always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you.

[@goodanytimej8688]

Tracy Hickman, Margaret Weiss, and R. A. Salvatore are my 3 favorite authors ever, and Krynn and Faerun are my 2 favorite places to visit, I know almost as much about their history and mythology as I do about our own lol. I'm so happy they worked out their issues with the DnD creators (which I believe they had every reason to have) and this book was able to come out. Can't wait to see it!

[@russcottrill7485]

We still NEED a live action series of Dragonlance!!!! It would absolutely be the best thing on tv / streaming!

[@sylvaincousineau5073]

Its mind boggling there isn't a Dragonlance movie trilogy .

[@DavidShepheard]

Paramount Pictures started making an animated movie trilogy...then they bottled it and sent it straight to DVD...and they released it months later in the UK, with no actual differences in the DVD content (i.e. there was no reason for the delay). And people trashed the animation and Paramount cancelled the two sequels. I was really sad, as I would have wanted all three of them to have been made. Yes I would like to see a live-action version, but the animated version was a good start.

[@nspinicelli]

I heard there was a terrible animated film that didn't go far :/

[@ChrisMeece]

The absolute awful Dungeons & Dragons movies don't give me much confidence that these movies could be made well.

[@bz6046]

@@nspinicelli it was rushed and very cartoony

[@madwolf610]

@@ChrisMeece And yet.... LoTR and The Hobbit!! (whether liked or not).. those are all we hoped they could be (production wise, fantasy-adapted-wise, etc) .. so why WHY could a D&D movie or Dragonlance NOT be successfully made?? It truly baffles me...

[@lilxmanxslim]

I've been a huge dragonlance fan since I was about 12 and knowing there are others who are in love with it makes me so happy.

[@HandlesAreStupid2024]

Dragonlance was my first fantasy series. I have an eternal love for those characters and that world. Even that sob Raistlin.

[@LynPhoenyx]

I have the whole original series because someone donated them to local library when I was in high school. I absolutely adore them

[@Critical_Failures]

I’m glad to see you back man! So excited for the new channel and the success your gonna have! You have a fanbase for life🔥🔥

[@UntoldRelic]

My mom worked at a W.H. Smith and came home with a new book she thought I'd like because the cover reminded her of The Hobbit. That book was Dragons of Autumn Twilight. I read it three times, waiting for the second one to come out.

[@palme40299]

He called it. Dragonlance 5e is war based. Hope the design of DL5E works out. It's got an interesting premise.

[@himurajubei]

This video instantly warmed my heart. I really hope to see more videos about you guys discussing DragonLance, cause these 10 minutes were a joy.

[@VampyressVA]

This talk brings me so much nostalgia. In the times of AD&D 2nd Edition I used to DM Ravenloft and Dragonlance, these were my favorite scenarios by far. The feeling that came from hunting down and acquiring boxed sets and modules for one's collection was amazing, too. And I must say Dragonlance Chronicles was the one trilogy I remember vividly for so many emotions, it brought me to tears every now and then. I loved Sturm and Tanis, Kitiara and Dalamar, Lauralanthalasa and Tika Waylan (and her proficiency in frying pan wielding), Tasslehoff Burrfoot and Fizban. So much love for these characters and their stories.

[@MageTheAscension]

Love seeing you already hitting it out of the park.

[@JablesMcDrumster]

I read many of the DL books when I was a teen, and fell in love with the fantasy setting through the stories of Huma and Kaz, Raist and Caramon, Tanis and his friends... Those books got me hooked on that genre, which I've loved ever since. I had no idea until recently that DL was so closely related to D&D, which I've just now started playing as a 40 yr old. I'm DMing a game right now for my family (wife and 4 kids), who are all really enjoying it immensely. It's also pretty ironic that this video came up on my feed today, as literally just yesterday, I dug out my old DL books to hand off to my kids to read! I'm hoping they'll get the same sense of awe, wonder and enjoyment that I did. Thanks for the memories!

[@rolestream]

Always wanted to see a Dragonlance movie since the first Lord of the Rings came out years ago. DL. It has the capacity to be the most epic fantasy.

[@DavidShepheard]

I really enjoyed the animated Dragonlance movie, but it got such a trashing from fans that Paramount Picutures pulled the plug before the other two sequels got made. I think that is a real shame because the animated Lord of the Rings movie paved the way for the Peter Jackson movies later. (And because I would have liked to have been able to get the CDs for the other two movies. I do hope they revisit the idea. So far all of the D&D movies have pretty much been generic fantasy movies with no real connection to any D&D setting. I don't want a D&D movie. I want a Dragonlance movie or a Forgotten Realms movie or a Greyhawk movie or a Spelljammer movie or some other film that really ties into a story we all know. For all the flaws with the animation and the issues with the scriptwriter being told to overshorten the Dragons of Autumn Twilight story to reduce the animation budget, I will take that animated Dragonlance movie over any of the other "Dungeons & Dragons" movies because it *is* a D&D movie.

[@rolestream]

@@DavidShepheard I've never seen it actually. I may have to track it down. =)

[@rolestream]

@Amanda Lowe I will set my expectations as realistically as possible then!

[@TheSahugani]

@@rolestream it keeps showing up on my suggestions for KZbin. Pretty sure it's free to watch.

[@rolestream]

@@TheSahugani Ill have a look -- thank you!!

[@robbabcock_]

Dragonlance was such an amazing series! I really loved "The Legend of Huma" and "Kaz the Minotaur" as well, both of which show the depth of the mythology. It still stands up very well to this day.

[@thangibson-chronicle6748]

I love everything about this. Todd, glad to see you putting these interviews out and congrats on the new position. So glad we've got guys like you and Joe talking about the importance of Dragonlance. Keep up the great work!

[@MijMike]

So glad to see you still making videos Todd! Onwards and upwards mate. Much love.

[@PeterCadier]

Dragonlance is the one epic storyline that indeed should be converted to 5e, to let us relive those adventures in an updated era. Thank you for a great show!

[@Drock7749]

The dungeons deep levels of lore that can be found in Dragonlance has made it my most favorite campaign setting, the novels are all top notch, the unforgettable characters, my endless questions that just led me deeper into the world of Ansalon. The whole of the stories have touched my heart in ways that I will never forget, anytime alternative media is suggested for DL if done right DragonLance is my epitome of the best. I can't wait for the TV series that Joe is helping to make and the fact that a true fan of the series will have a major hand in a project near to my heart I can't wait to see what Joe, Tracy, and Margaret have in store for us!

[@74gould]

And BTW - I *love* how passionate Joe is about Dragonlance. :) Makes me an even bigger fan of him!

[@Fsudryden]

This series to me is better then a lot of other fantasy books being turned into movies/TV series. If someone took the property seriously this could one of the greatest entertainment properties in history.

[@kevinduke8928]

Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed this. Looking forward to see what happens...

I watched your videos before DDB. Kept watching when you joined them. I am so glad you keep doing them. Thank you!

[@BrewerBob]

I love Dragonlance and am running two D and D DL games. My favorite books of all time. Shared my love of DL with my wife too.

[@modius6124]

Truly classic gameplay setting based on my favorite novel series which introduced me to a lifetimes of reading fantasy fiction.

[@jaygarrick3984]

So many wonderful memories exploring DragonLance, AD&D 2e... Great vid.

[@LarsLeonhard]

I would have loved to hear more about Joe's experiences with that D&D game with Weis and the experiences of those cons with them... And more Dragonlance talk pls! Great show - could need an intro and an outro :)

[@UKHaiku]

What a great chat! Also a huge Dragonlance fan, and don’t get me started on the Deathgate Cycle either!

[@stuartlaws9977]

I lost all my books in the fire (stupid divorce things) but I always thought the labyrinth and all the different worlds in Deathgate would make a great setting to game in

[@coyotegunnyon]

When I first read the Twins Saga I was blown away.

[@TrampasWhiteman]

All of us at the Dragonlance Nexus are thankful for your support for Dragonlance.

[@DavidShepheard]

Long live the lance! And long live the Nexus!

[@nspinicelli]

Dude are you kidding? I just started re-reading Dragonlance, I'm on Dragons of Autumn Twilight! I'm so blown away that Joe and the D&D world are recognizing this series, it's SO good and I never knew how big it was when I read it 15 years ago.

[@darjr]

The Star Wars of D&D! Yeas! That Todd has a way of pinning the point!

[@bodywhey8]

Channel is off to a Critical hit!! I cast wish to bring you great success!

[@schwerpunkt7687]

When Sturm died...right in the feels.

[@JCinLapel]

The thing I found most interesting is Margret Wise played Raistlin and her Husband sometime writing partner Don Perrin played Caramon in the table top. This is from the notes in the annotated chronicles

[@damienthetexasian6827]

I have to thank u for bringing Tasselhoff Burrfoot and the rest of Kender kind into existence, bringing the fearlessness, Fool's luck, and the aesthetics of Kenderdom for the 3rd Ed. Halfling

[@GinDragon]

Dragonlance is what made me try D&D. I had read the forward or something that told us that it came out of an actual played campaign, so I went out and bought "First Quest" Which was essentially Forgotten Realms (I know, not Krynn) in a box for D&D beginners.

[@cameronpearce5943]

Man I hope we see Joe and Todd in the Dragonlance Movie

[@duanemarshall330]

Dragonlance! Awesome story line, awesome characters, awesome world. Been listening to them again while I run. First read these when they came out in the 80s... I was a huge D&D fan, 1st and 2nd edition. Love to play again some time. Always wanted to play a Kinder... Nice references to Joseph Campbell Joe!

[@Vospader21]

Oh my god, can you imagine Joe playing Caramon?

[@dice_fumbler]

He'd make a great Caramon Majere.

[@RobSchlosser]

Sturm all the way.

[@jamesd.wheeler5664]

But wouldn't you hire someone to play both Caramon and Raistlin? I bet he could pull that off.

[@jonathanwilliams8633]

I had cast him as Sir Gunther. The heroes of the Lance are supposed to be younger.

[@HowtoRPG]

Great to see you back Todd.

[@mattcarafa210]

Ravenloft knight of the rose was a good book, what I remember of it, life time ago

[@RedCometNurse]

I am going to start my eleven-year-old on Dragonlance soon. I can't wait to see her perspectives on a series that was a big part of my life for many years. I really want Wizards of the Coast to release a 5E setting for Dragonlance.

[@ChickenSoupMusic]

"Sturm's sun shattered" I always loved these books. Weis and Hickman's stories in general. Death Gate Cycle etc. Plus the concept and function of Krynn / Gods / dragons is just fun. Also, JOE, FU if you got to have Tracy RP Soth for you inside of that Ravenloft campaign. FU right in the bunghole :P

[@lastrasp]

Oh that line! Never forget reading that moment. Elmore's image of Laurana standing over him is an all time favourite.

[@ChickenSoupMusic]

@@lastrasp Love his art!

[@74gould]

I love Dragonlance. I read the Chronicles trilogy back in the ‘80s when I was about 12 years old & that’s essentially what made me fall in love with fantasy novels & D&D. I’m VERY much hoping WotC has a 5e Dragonlance setting coming out way (and of course I’m pumped about the new books)! :)

[@yamishisen1337]

Thank you so much for continuing this series!!!

[@benphoto1647]

The Legend of Huma was my first novel that I read in English... then I read all of them. Dragonlance will always have a cool place in my heart.

[@dirtnap9641]

My first DL book was Huma, really loved that story.

[@zenuuleflamesinger1469]

Loved Dragonlance.! Great to see u again!

[@NorthernKnight204]

For Raistlin I think it was all about power, never did he think of love. I love to see people love Dragonlance which was one of the greatest books

[@dragonknightsofantar1737]

Awesome. I'm Making a game inspired by Dragonlance Dragon Strike from 1990. Where you fight off the Back of Dragons with Lances. I did add Ballista Saddles and Playable Giants to the game though.

[@marcussmith4913]

Always thought Joe Manganiello was strong enough to carry a show. They used him a lot to be a great supporting character in a lot of shows and man anything he put his hands on he pulled off and then some. I really hope this show dragonlance is done well ILl be tuning in.

[@paullanchantin4289]

The kender are so fun to play

[@thancrow]

I played a Irda bard in Dragonlance. It was a fun game. We also had time travel. Part of the party came from the future, and ended up pre-catyclism. My character, being a bard, knew what was going to happen and when. We knew when and where to be to escape it. How much do you tell people of the time we were in?

[@Tinmouser]

Thanks Todd. Love the content and the production quality is top notch. Keep it up! Cheers!

[@ClayHales]

I need to reread Dragonlance. Loved the books and it was the first campaign setting I played in. Something I've never done role playing that the books suggest is playing as a false cleric. A charlatan that says he's a cleric, but has no magical power whatsoever.

[@gregbanks5624]

This was a fantastic interview! Please have Weise and Hickman on! I'm admittedly not the biggest fan of the Dragonlance world compared to the others, BUT have appreciated the scope and story they did for Dungeons and Dragons ever since the 1st scenario came out. I also think a legit, fully funded and marketed Dragonlance movie franchise is THE way to appropriately get D&D on the big screen (when we can go again).

[@LoyaFrostwind]

DL is still my favorite fantasy series. I've re-read the Chronicles and Legends countless times.

[@machinegunred2422]

Dragonlance is Classic Core Fantasy, love it and love the new path of fantasy that is modern 5e dnd

[@khellendross3573]

So interesting the way he pronounced Caramon. To me I've always followed the way Peter MacNicol pronounced the names in the audiobooks (which are near impossible to find but if you can find them, ABSOLUTELY worth a listen, even if they are abridged). Dragonlance is INCREDIBLY important to me (obviously) and is responsible for me getting in to D&D and more importantly the style of storytelling I use as a DM. Beyond just being a great fantasy book series at a time in my life when I really needed it, I think Dragonlance really teaches compassion. And nothing is more important nowadays than that. Thanks Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman for the gift you gave us. Hopefully WOTC will get their stuff straight and take advantage of this beloved setting and introduce it to a new legion of fans now playing D&D 5E

[@derolme]

With you leaving Beyond, does that mean we'll just get MORE "Todd Talks"-like content? Because I'd be excited for it.

[@CharalamposKoundourakis]

Seems like it.

[@justinwatson16]

The Star Wars comparison is pretty apt, and furthermore DragonLance and Star Wars are always linked in my mind because I was falling in love with Chronicles and Legends about the same time I was devouring the brilliant EU novels of Timothy Zahn, Kevin J. Anderson and Michael Stackpole.

[@shallendor]

Raistlin is the original Min/Maxed character, and became such a fascinating character because of it!

[@detroitgoth]

I started reading D.L. in the early 90s. Ingested well over 100 books. Bought and lost multiple copies of Chronicles and Legends over the years. Last week I dug into the audio version of the story, starting from book one. Don't let the reviews fool you (they were from an earlier attempt that didn't go over well). The audio versions are good. Well worth using up your spouses unspent credits. :)

[@OhThatRobin]

So good to see Todd talk even after Todd Talks ^^ This is nice

[@joecatoe3027]

The Dragonlance novels are by far my favorite of all D&D novels followed closely by the Ravenloft novels.

[@CloneShockTrooper]

I played the RPG back in the 80s and it is awsome. I also read the books too.. amazing world. My favorite character is Lord Loren Soth.

[@jamesfullard]

Could not smash the sub button fast enough! Welcome Back!

[@banderson763]

Agree completely. I connected to Dragonlance early and often.

[@bwianeh]

The writing was fantastic...the kender are a race of halflings we use to this day 😁✌💚

[@Khanthiilas]

i wish someone would bring this to life on screen either big or streaming I tried lol got 95% on my screenplay in film school I did up to the meeting in the inn. Surelyy some one could do this for reals, sooner rather than later im 50 and not getting younger

[@Tge97]

If we ever got another D&D show I think dragonlance would a perfect premise

[@whowasibeing]

Ah yes, two nerds discussing their shared passion. This is my ideal content, plz continue ad infinitum.

[@Ubotit_Unaymit]

I bought my first Dragonlance novel 32 years ago at age 12. If it weren't for the art of Michael Whelan, I may have passed it by!

[@maverikvii]

Couldn't agree more with this comparison! The epic storytelling and unforgettable characters. I just need an actually good Dragon lance movie and a campaign book for 5e from WOTC. Hopefully this little chat is foreshadowing of good things to come!

[@TheThorement]

Love it! Thank you to enlighten new fans of this setting!

[@CelestianGC]

Joe would make a great Caramon in the DL movie.

[@Retnoob]

20 years ago, yeah

[@mrb00gedyb00]

A better Sturm

[@CelestianGC]

@@mrb00gedyb00 Indeed, Sturm would actually be even better.

[@stuartlaws9977]

Joe Mangionello as Ariakus

[@ethanliddle9008]

He could also be a badass Verminaard

[@bobombnik1817]

Joe is correct that Dragonlance is epic fantasy. The story and themes would lend themselves well to movie format, but I think could really be done as a series through someplace like Amazon or Netflix as well (given the proper care and writing team). I could only dream.... basically just using content from the Chronicles and Legends books.