The dice hit the table, a natural 20. Then the news broke: HBO is adapting *Baldur’s Gate 3*. Suddenly, the intricate world of Faerûn is about to explode onto our screens, riding the wave of successful video game adaptations. But will this adaptation capture the magic that made the game a Game of the Year winner?
The Next Level: HBO Taps Craig Mazin for Baldur’s Gate 3
Imagine walking through a museum and seeing your favorite painting come to life. That’s the level of excitement surrounding HBO’s new project. Fresh off the success of *The Last of Us*, the network is teaming up with Craig Mazin to develop a live-action series based on *Baldur’s Gate 3*, but this time focusing on events *after* the game’s storyline. Mazin, known for his work on *Chernobyl* and *The Last of Us*, will serve as creator, writer, showrunner, and executive producer.
“After putting nearly 1000 hours into the incredible world of Baldur’s Gate 3, it is a dream come true to be able to continue the story that Larian and Wizards of the Coast created,” Craig Mazin said.
I am a devoted fan of D&D and the brilliant way that Swen Vincke and his gifted team adapted it. I can’t wait to help bring Baldur’s Gate and all of its incredible characters to life with as much respect and love as we can, and I’m deeply grateful to Gabe Marano and his team at Hasbro for entrusting me with this incredibly important property.
Francesca Orsi, EVP, Head of HBO Drama Programming, also shared a word about bringing back Craig to deliver another live-action adaptation of a renowned video game:
We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Craig Mazin on Baldur’s Gate. His deep and long-standing passion for the source material paired with his remarkable talent for building immersive worlds filled with rich, compelling characters promises groundbreaking results.
Behind the Screen: Larian Studios’ Role—or Lack Thereof
Think of it as baking a cake: you need all the right ingredients and a skilled baker. However, in a surprising twist, Larian Studios, the developers of *Baldur’s Gate 3*, will not be creatively involved in the series. Geoff Keighley, creator of The Game Awards, confirmed this news. This diverges from HBO’s *The Last of Us* approach, where Naughty Dog played a significant role in the adaptation.
Who *is* involved in the Baldur’s Gate 3 TV show adaptation?
Chris Perkins, formerly Head of Story at Wizards of the Coast, is consulting on the project. Since the series continues the game’s story, expect to see familiar faces, as well as new characters crafted for television.
Will the Baldur’s Gate 3 cast reprise their roles in the HBO series?
Reportedly, Mazin intends to invite the *Baldur’s Gate 3* voice actors to reprise their roles in the live-action series, an interesting commitment to the source material. The series is a tightrope walk, but Mazin’s passion for D&D and *Baldur’s Gate 3* provides a degree of reassurance.
What will the Baldur’s Gate 3 TV show be about?
While specifics are scarce, the current plan is for the series to focus on the events in the aftermath of *Baldur’s Gate 3*’s conclusion. Mazin can focus on this project since *The Last of Us* Season 3 is rumored to be its final chapter. This TV series might be a gilded cage, or a launching point for something truly special. How will the story unfold without Larian’s direct involvement, and will it live up to the game’s legacy?