Following some backlash from tabletop players, directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are explaining their decision behind Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' divisive lore change. The upcoming film, led by an ensemble cast that includes Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez among others, centers on a misfit group of thieves as they seek to save the world from a powerful entity after delivering them a dangerous artifact. Set in the Forgotten Realms campaign, anticipation has grown for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' faithfulness to its source material, though one aspect has sparked some debate.

In honor of the latest footage for the film, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley caught up with IGN to break down the newest Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves trailer.

While looking at the film's depiction of an owlbear, the directors acknowledged the backlash from players of the iconic tabletop game. Goldstein would go on to explain the divisive lore change, recalling it being an extensive talking point during the writing process and that they were keen on delivering the most exciting Dungeons & Dragons adaptation possible. See what Goldstein said in the video above and quotes below:

We’re aware that there was a certain amount of controversy that emerged in the DnD fan community after the first trailer showed our druid wildshaping into an owlbear, and it was something we discussed a great deal when we were writing it. We know that technically it’s not permissible, but we subscribe to the rule of cool, and we felt that we, as the dungeon masters of this movie, would let our players do this, then why should we deprive the audience of something as cool and as exciting as this.

Related: Honor Among Thieves Isn't Mocking D&D - It's Celebrating It

How DnD Lore Changes Could Actually Help The Movie

Sophia Lillis as Doric in Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves looking serious

Given the massive failure that was the original Dungeons & Dragons movie, it is understandable that longtime players of the tabletop game would be critical of any major lore changes made for the new film. However, though Goldstein and Daley may have tweaked a few lore elements for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, their latest comments at least offer a reasonable explanation for doing so, clearly eager to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers to the fold. Considering the sheer extent of lore that exists across Dungeons & Dragons' near-50-year lifetime, there's already a risk of alienating those unfamiliar with the game by remaining strict to its rules.

Another reasonable reason for the lore changes in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is the practical answer of wanting to ensure the story and action remains "cool" for all audiences catching the film in theaters. Unless one is a hardcore player with a strict devotion to the ruleset, most Dungeons & Dragons campaigns will see their dungeon masters bend the rules, whether it be for brevity’s sake, or for the sheer interest of keeping their players engaged through a particularly long campaign. Additionally, with the variety of exciting campaigns available to play, it almost seems too restrictive for players to not allow some crossover or variances in their games.

Even if there are still disagreements surrounding Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' lore changes, it's hard to deny the larger devotion to the source material Goldstein and Daley have. Between its central location of Neverwinter to its main antagonist being the iconic Szass Tam, the directing duo look to be finding the right path between original storytelling and faithful adaptation. Only time will tell how it sits with tabletop players when Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves hits theaters on March 31.

More: 1 Detail Fixes Honor Among Thieves' Biggest D&D ComplaintSource: IGN

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