Alex Garland to helm ‘Elden Ring’ live-action film

In a thrilling turn of events, Elden Ring – the 2022 Game of the Year – will soon make an appearance in the cinematic universe as a live-action film directed by Alex Garland has now been officially announced. The announcement was made on May 22, marking an important new chapter for the fan-favourite fantasy universe created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

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According to a report by The Vulture, the film is being developed in collaboration with Bandai Namco Entertainment and indie highflier A24, with production assumed to begin in 2026. Garland, well known for his direction of movies like Ex Machina and 28 Days Later, is roped into helm and pen the adaptation.

Elder Ring is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware, originally released in February 2022. Set in the grim and mysterious ‘Lands Between’, the game follows the player-controlled character Tarnished, an exile summoned to restore the broken Elden Ring and rise as the Elden Lord. The game quickly gained global attention and sold over 30 million copies. Elder Ring bagged multiple awards, including top honours at The Game Awards.

Garland’s film adaptation is not expected to follow the game's narrative point for point. Instead, the retelling plans to explore the source material’s dense mythology, potentially introducing new characters and original story arcs. The director’s signature style of layered narratives and vivid visuals aligns with the haunting tone of Elden Ring.

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The film’s production team includes notable names such as Peter Rice (former Disney executive), Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA Films, George R.R. Martin and Vince Gerardis (co-executive of Game of Thrones). Although FromSoftware and Miyazaki are not directly involved in the making at the moment, Miyazaki has previously voiced his interest in seeing Elden Ring adapted to other media, given the right creative team is in place.

As of now, casting details are kept under wraps, but the anticipation keeps building among fans and moviegoers alike. With A24’s reputation for bold storytelling and Garland’s visual and daring narratives, the Elden Ring film could become a unique addition to the growing list of famed video game adaptations.

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