The world of dark fantasy is about to leap from consoles to the silver screen in a big way: a live-action adaptation of the blockbuster video game Elden Ring is officially underway, with a star-studded cast and a release date set for March 3, 2028. The ambitious project, produced by A24 and Bandai Namco Entertainment, will be filmed for IMAX and represents one of the most significant undertakings in video game cinema to date, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Helming this cinematic journey is Alex Garland, the acclaimed writer and director known for his work on Ex Machina, Annihilation, and most recently, Civil War. Garland, a self-professed fan of the original game, personally pitched the idea for the adaptation to Bandai Namco and FromSoftware, the companies behind the game’s creation. As reported by Variety, Garland’s passion for the project and his established reputation in fantasy and science fiction storytelling made him a natural fit for the role. Production is set to begin in the United Kingdom in spring 2026, with a planned principal photography schedule of around 100 days and a budget reportedly exceeding $100 million.
The cast assembled for Elden Ring reads like a who’s who of rising stars and seasoned veterans. Kit Connor, fresh off his breakout role in Heartstopper, leads the ensemble, joined by Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, This Is Going to Hurt), Cailee Spaeny (Alien: Romulus, Civil War), Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Havana Rose Liu (Bottoms), Sonoya Mizuno (Ex Machina), Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes, The Crown), Ruby Cruz (Willow), Nick Offerman (The Last of Us), John Hodgkinson, Jefferson Hall, Emma Laird, and Peter Serafinowicz. The film is produced by Peter Rice, Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, George R. R. Martin, and Vince Gerardis, as detailed by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
But what is it about Elden Ring that has captured the imaginations of millions and now, Hollywood’s attention? Released in 2022, the game quickly became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 30 million copies worldwide and winning more than 400 Game of the Year awards, according to Bandai Namco. The game was created under the direction of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary behind Dark Souls, and is based on a mythological story crafted by none other than Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. As FromSoftware spokesperson Yasuhiro Kitao explained to Entertainment Weekly, "George R.R. Martin wrote the original mythos for this game. He created a backstory or a history that takes place many, many years before the events of the game itself, and he wrote this in collaboration with Miyazaki. They consulted and they discussed and they exchanged ideas, but George Martin was the spearhead of that writing process initially."
The narrative of Elden Ring unfolds in the mythical Lands Between, a world once ruled by Queen Marika, one of the Eternal. The peace of this realm is shattered when the powerful Elden Ring is broken, plunging the land into chaos and war. The aftermath of this cataclysmic event sees the demigod children of Queen Marika slain, and the player—taking on the role of a Tarnished—returns to the Lands Between to restore the Elden Ring and bring order to a fractured world. The game’s blend of open-world exploration, intricate lore, and challenging combat has set a new standard for the action RPG genre, as highlighted by Entertainment Weekly and Variety.
Garland’s adaptation promises to honor the depth and complexity of the source material. While character details remain tightly under wraps, the director’s track record suggests a thoughtful approach to both the visual and emotional landscapes of the story. Garland is no stranger to complex, genre-bending narratives, having previously written and directed acclaimed works like 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Never Let Me Go. His collaboration with Sonoya Mizuno in Ex Machina and with Cailee Spaeny in Civil War bodes well for the film’s chemistry and performances.
The film’s production scale is nothing short of epic. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, the budget is well over $100 million, making it A24’s largest and most ambitious feature to date. The shoot is expected to last about 100 days, with principal photography taking place in the U.K. The decision to film for IMAX underscores the studio’s confidence in delivering a visually spectacular experience—one that aims to transport audiences into the haunting, beautiful, and brutal world of the Lands Between.
For A24, Elden Ring marks a significant milestone. Known for its daring independent films and recent forays into larger-scale productions, the studio is betting big on the enduring appeal of video game adaptations. Garland’s Civil War previously held the title of A24’s most expensive project before being surpassed by this new venture. With the involvement of George R. R. Martin as a producer, the film is poised to attract not only fans of the game but also devotees of epic fantasy and high-stakes storytelling.
The project also highlights the growing trend of video game adaptations in Hollywood. While many past efforts have struggled to capture the magic of their source material, recent successes have paved the way for more ambitious undertakings. Elden Ring stands out not only for its pedigree—combining the creative forces of Miyazaki and Martin—but also for its proven popularity and critical acclaim.
As anticipation builds, fans are left to speculate about which iconic moments, characters, and battles from the game will make the leap to the big screen. Will the film capture the sense of awe and accomplishment that players feel when conquering the game’s most daunting challenges? Can Garland and his team translate the sprawling, mysterious lore of the Lands Between into a coherent and compelling narrative for newcomers and longtime fans alike?
With production now underway, the countdown to March 3, 2028, has begun. Elden Ring is poised to become not just a cinematic event, but a cultural touchstone that bridges the worlds of gaming and film like never before.