The live-action adaptation of <em>Dungeon Crawler Carl</em> is advancing, with production on the TV series slated to commence in 2027. Universal Television is currently in the early stages of development for the series, based on Matt Dinniman’s bestselling LitRPG book series, and has begun preparations for production.
During a New York Comic Con panel, Kelsey Balance, Universal Global Television’s scripted series chief, stated that the team is in the process of hiring key production staff and developing scripts in anticipation of filming. "We’re on track for that and then we’ll start shooting it, which is exciting," Balance told Variety.
Fans can expect further details regarding the adaptation in the coming weeks, as the team works to finalize additional information. A premiere date for the series has not yet been announced.
What We Know About the Adaptation
The <em>Dungeon Crawler Carl</em> narrative follows Carl, a Coast Guard veteran, and Princess Donut, a cat, after an alien invasion devastates much of humanity. The survivors are compelled to navigate a perilous dungeon filled with monsters and aliens as participants in a cruel intergalactic reality show. The series is described as an apocalyptic televised event where survival is only part of the challenge.
Executive producers for the series include Chris Yost and Eric Heisserer, alongside Seth MacFarlane, Erica Huggins, and Rachel Hargreaves-Heald of MacFarlane’s production company, Fuzzy Door. Dinniman will serve as a co-executive producer. The books have garnered a dedicated fanbase for their unique blend of fantasy, science fiction, dark humor, and video game-inspired mechanics. The television adaptation aims to bring this combination to a broader audience, though the extent to which the show will adhere to the source material remains to be seen.
Casting Details
Casting information is currently limited. Dinniman confirmed at the NYCC panel that Jeff Hays, the narrator for the <em>Dungeon Crawler Carl</em> audiobooks, will voice Princess Donut in the series. The role of Carl has not yet been cast. Dinniman indicated to Variety that he is seeking an actor capable of portraying both Carl's lighthearted moments and his more formidable aspects.