After years of speculation and cryptic hints from George R.R. Martin, the Elden Ring movie is officially happening. Bandai Namco and A24 announced that Alex Garland will write and direct a live-action adaptation of FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed dark fantasy epic.
Garland, who is known for brainy sci-fi thrillers like Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Civil War, seems perfectly suited to tackle the mythological world of the Lands Between. His previous work has consistently explored ideas about identity, power, and the cost of ambition, all concepts that run through Elden Ring‘s DNA.
The production roster includes Martin, who contributed to Elden Ring‘s worldbuilding, FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki, Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich from DNA Films, Peter Rice, and Vince Gerardis. Having Martin involved is a smart move given his work on the source material’s intricate mythology and political intrigue.
Miyazaki has previously expressed cautious optimism about adaptations, saying that while he wouldn’t oppose “another interpretation of Elden Ring,” FromSoftware lacks the expertise for different mediums. “That’s where a very strong partner would come into play,” he said, and A24 certainly fits that description.
Elden Ring‘s success stems partly from its player agency. The game’s open-world design lets you stumble into areas you’re laughably unprepared for, creating new narratives through failure and discovery. Translating this experience (where dying to the same boss seventeen times becomes part of the story) into linear cinema will be no easy feat.
The game follows a Tarnished warrior seeking to restore the shattered Elden Ring and claim the title of Elden Lord in the decaying Lands Between. But Elden Ring‘s true saga lives in environmental storytelling, cryptic item descriptions, and the spaces between exposition.
Garland, who’s a master in atmospheric world-building and ambiguous storytelling, could be crucial in preserving what makes the source material special.
For A24, this will be without a doubt their most ambitious swing yet. Garland’s Civil War was already their biggest-budgeted film at $127.3 million worldwide, but bringing Elden Ring‘s sprawling horizons, towering bosses, and complex creature designs to life will demand an enormous VFX investment. The game’s aesthetic, which is equal parts medieval brilliance and cosmic horror, won’t translate cheaply.
Elden Ring has sold over 30 million copies since its 2022 launch, won Game of the Year, and spawned the upcoming Nightreign spinoff, which is launching on May 30. An all-in-one package including the original game, its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and Nightreign will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 later this year.
No release date, cast, or specific plot details of the Elden Ring movie have been revealed, leaving plenty of room for speculation. Will Garland follow a specific character’s journey or create an anthology exploring different corners of the Lands Between? How will he handle the game’s multiple endings and branching narratives?
For fans who’ve spent hundreds of hours exploring every crumbling castle and hidden catacomb, the prospect of seeing the Lands Between in cinema is a dream they never thought possible. We can only hope the adaptation won’t be punishingly difficult to watch as the game is to play.
