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Dungeon Crawler Carl Live-Action Series in Development at Peacock

Dungeon Crawler Carl Live-Action Series in Development at Peacock
source: gettyimages
April 2, 2026

Peacock is moving forward with a live-action adaptation of the popular LitRPG series Dungeon Crawler Carl, bringing the project closer to production. After Universal International Studios first acquired the rights in early 2025 without a confirmed platform, the project has now landed at Peacock as contracts and final approvals move ahead.

Key players attached to the project include Chris Yost, who will write and executive-produce, and Seth MacFarlane, who will executive-produce via his Fuzzy Door banner. Matt Dinniman is also on board as an executive producer, alongside Erica Huggins, with Rachel Hargreaves-Heald overseeing production for Fuzzy Door.

The series centers on Carl, a Coast Guard veteran who survives an alien invasion only to be forced into a brutal intergalactic game show. He is joined by his ex-girlfriend’s prize-winning cat, Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk, as they navigate a televised dungeon filled with monsters, aliens, rogue AI, and other survivors competing for survival.

Dinniman has noted that the project was nearing a decision point, with contracts and approvals expected to determine whether it will move forward. Live-action considerations have been addressed by highlighting Seth MacFarlane’s experience with CGI-heavy productions, with Dinniman pointing to MacFarlane’s track record on projects like Ted and The Orville as a key factor. Production will include CGI-testing for characters such as Princess Donut to ensure visuals meet expectations, and the series will not proceed if the effects do not satisfy the creative standard.

The Dungeon Crawler Carl franchise currently spans seven novels, with an eighth installment due for release on May 12. Dinniman has previously spoken of a broader plan that could extend the series to ten entries.

In response to fan questions about the live-action decision, Dinniman reiterated MacFarlane’s CGI savvy as a major reason for opting for live-action over animation, signaling confidence in the project’s ability to handle the required visual scope.

Related: 2026 has also seen Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere adaptation move toward Apple TV, beginning with Mistborn, signaling a broader trend of big-screen fantasy serials gaining momentum.

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