Reacher Actor in Negotiations for Helldivers Film Role

It looks like Alan Ritchson, known for his role in the action-packed series Reacher, is gearing up to dive into the chaotic universe of Super Earth. Reports indicate that he’s in discussions with Sony to take the lead in a film adaptation of the dystopian sci-fi game series Helldivers. Jason Momoa was initially set to star but stepped away from the project earlier this year due to creative differences.

Ritchson has been making waves lately, building on his success from Reacher with roles in the thriller Motor City and Netflix’s War Machine. His previous credits include appearances in Smallville, Blue Mountain State, Titans, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, among others.

The Helldivers movie was first announced at CES in 2025 and later showcased during a CinemaCon presentation in April 2026. The screenplay was penned by Gary Dauberman, known for his work on the It films and Annabelle, while Justin Lin, famous for his direction in the Fast & Furious franchise, is at the helm. Lin, who previously collaborated with Ritchson on Fast X, will also produce alongside Hutch Parker and Asad Qizilbash.

While details about the film remain under wraps, if it mirrors the games, viewers can expect to follow the “elite” soldiers of Super Earth as they face brutal deaths while battling alien adversaries they provoked. Both the original Helldivers and its sequel are known for their satirical take on military themes, reminiscent of Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers, where humanity is portrayed as the oppressive force. It will be intriguing to see if the film maintains this satirical edge or opts for more conventional action thrills. The release date is set for November 10, 2027.

Sony has a number of video game adaptations in the pipeline, with one of the most anticipated being the God of War TV series, which recently cast Dave Bautista as Kratos. Other projects in development include films based on Death Stranding, Bloodborne, and Horizon Zero Dawn, as well as a Ghost of Tsushima anime and the continuation of HBO’s The Last of Us.