Hasbro’s eOne Sale Could Spell Impending Doom for the D&D TV Series
In the wake of Hasbro’s plans to sell eOne, the future of the D&D TV Series is uncertain but optimistic. Here’s what we know.
Hasbro’s tentative footsteps an industry notorious for volatility and overcautious studio executives have led to a significant change in plans. Earlier this month, the toy company titan announced plans to sell its entertainment branch, eOne, even as the indie film and TV studio was shopping the high-profile Dungeons & Dragons live-action TV show.
The D&D TV show, which was being developed with Rawson Marshall Thurber (Red Notice), was eOne’s “priciest, largest-scope TV project ever” according to a report from Deadline.
Chris Pine is as Puzzled as Me, via Paramount
The TV series was going to showcase the full power of Hasbro’s new entertainment branch. But even as eOne was garnering bids, Hasbro announced it planned to sell eOne’s film and TV business. When Hasbro acquired eOne in 2019 for a mere four billion, eOne had three divisions: music, family brands (Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, for instance), and film and TV.
Hasbro had been consolidating their eOne plans, selling eOne’s music business to the private equity firm Blackstone back in 2021. While the family brands business was rolled into Hasbro’s own brands and merchandising.
All that’s left of eOne is the film and TV business. According to Deadline, a big part of the change in plans comes from the new CEO at the helm.
Hasbro Sells eOne, Keeps D&D TV Series Plans Alive
Christopher Cocks, previously CEO of WotC, now CEO of Hasbro, had, according to Deadline‘s sources, taken a different “almost antagonistic approach to entertainment”:
“He does not believe in Brian’s vision, or have interest in anything that doesn’t sell toys directly.”
But even as they announced the plans to sell, Hasbro signaled that it still plans to produce “animation, digital shorts, scripted TV and theatrical films” all based on Hasbro IP. This means a messy split since Hasbro IP made up a significant bulk of eOne’s development.
Still, according to Deadline, the industry remains optimistic about the Dungeons & Dragons TV series. Citing a “good script” and “exciting talent” the TV series might succeed in spite of the sales.
There are no details as of yet on Hasbro’s plans for the D&D media-verse meant to kick off with next year’s release of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
It seems the IP’s entertainment future comes down to a roll of the dice.
