Rumour: Ryan Reynolds to play the lead role in the "Dragon's Lair" film

The video game adaptation "Dragon's Lair" is finally getting underway – and according to a rumor by Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider, Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds is set to play the lead role. Netflix has also signed director James Bobin for the project. A clear sign that the fantasy adaptation of the cult arcade game from 1983 is actually going to be made.

The film adaptation was originally conceived as an interactive movie – in the style of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" principle. Together with "The LEGO Movie" authors Dan and Kevin Hageman, Reynolds worked on an interactive story in which the audience was to influence the course of the plot by making their own decisions. This required a huge script of over 400 pages. But this vision is now history.

Netflix has apparently abandoned the concept of interactive films. Productions such as "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch", which were once considered an attempt at innovation, have even been removed from the platform. Instead, "Dragon's Lair" is now to be made into a classic feature film – told in a linear fashion, but with all the charm, humor and adventure that the original game was known for. Given the success of "Red Notice", the streaming giant is likely to have a strong interest in casting Reynolds in a leading role again.

"Dragon's Lair" is based on a classic video game that caused a sensation in 1983. Developed by Don Bluth, a former Disney animator, the game dispensed with classic pixel graphics. Instead, it was presented like an animated cartoon in the style of Disney adventures. Players took on the role of the somewhat clumsy knight Dirk, who had to fight his way through a dangerous fortress in order to defeat a dragon and rescue Princess Daphne.

The game was known for its unusual gameplay. Instead of navigating freely through levels, you had to press exactly the right button at certain moments – an early quick-time event principle. If you reacted too late, you were "punished" with one of numerous elaborately animated death sequences. The level of difficulty was high, the game was short – but its unique visuals made it an absolute eye-catcher.

The hype was so great that there was already an animated series based on the game in 1984, numerous imitators followed and "Dragon's Lair" became a milestone in video game history. Today it enjoys cult status, especially in the USA, where it is considered one of the defining arcade games of the 1980s.

It is not yet clear when exactly the movie will be released on Netflix. However, with a new director and the probable return of Ryan Reynolds, the project is looking better than ever. If production gets underway quickly, a release could be possible as early as 2026.

"Dragon's Lair": Why the game achieved cult status

When the arcade game "Dragon's Lair" was released in 1983, it caused a sensation like no other title of its time. It was no ordinary video game – it was an experience. The combination of innovative technology, extraordinary presentation and challenging gameplay made it a cult hit that is still remembered today.

A game like an animated movie

Perhaps the biggest difference to other games was the visual style. Instead of rough pixel graphics, "Dragon's Lair" featured animated cartoon sequences that could have come straight out of a Disney movie. No wonder – Don Bluth, a former Disney animator, was behind the game. His signature style gave the game an unprecedented look and clearly set it apart from the competition. While other games thought in blocks and colors, "Dragon's Lair" was an interactive animated film.

Dragon's Lair also broke new ground in terms of gameplay. Instead of controlling a character freely through levels, players had to react quickly and correctly at key moments – so-called quick-time events. If you pressed the wrong button, you immediately ended up in "Game Over". This made the game frustratingly difficult, but also extremely exciting. Every correct decision brought a little progress – every mistake an elaborately animated and often humorous death scene.

A shared experience in the arcade

The combination of movie look and reaction game led to a new social phenomenon: people gathered in front of the machine to watch together. One person played, the rest joined in the excitement – and groaned in disappointment when they didn't make it to the princess again. "Dragon's Lair" was one of the first games that was also fun to watch. Although you had to pay 50 cents per game round – double the usual price at the time – long queues formed. Only a few ever saw the end of the game. But it was precisely this challenge that made it so appealing: People wanted to try again and again and be better than the others.

A milestone in gaming history

With its technical innovation, novel gameplay and unique atmosphere, "Dragon's Lair" quickly became a classic – and remains an important piece of video game culture to this day.