All the Details on the Upcoming Elden Ring Film by A24 and Alex Garland

FromSoftware’s 2022 action RPG, Elden Ring, is making the leap to the big screen, with writer-director Alex Garland at the helm for A24. This adaptation stands out among the many game-to-film projects currently in the works, and it’s certainly one of the most ambitious. The challenge lies in translating the game’s intricate, lore-rich narrative into a cinematic experience.

Gamers can take comfort in Garland’s dedication, as he has reportedly completed Elden Ring seven times and has a solid background with FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series. His passion for the project is evident; he crafted a 160-page script, complete with 40 pages of “additional imagery,” to persuade FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki to greenlight the adaptation. Garland has a track record of adapting diverse material, having penned screenplays for works like Never Let Me Go, Annihilation, and Dredd.

Even George R.R. Martin, who collaborated with Miyazaki on the game’s lore, has given the adaptation his enthusiastic support, praising A24 as a “kickass studio” and Garland as a “first-rate director.”

So far, glimpses of the Elden Ring movie suggest that Garland intends to stay true to the game’s locations. However, how he will tackle the expansive world and its complex lore remains to be seen.

Details about the film’s plot are still under wraps. In a press release from Bandai Namco announcing the film, the focus was on summarizing the general plot and setting of Elden Ring and its expansion, Elden Ring Nightreign, rather than providing a synopsis of the movie itself.

Fans of Elden Ring know that the game’s narrative unfolds gradually, with players piecing together the story through interactions with NPCs, in-game items, and cutscenes. Many events are left open to interpretation, which aligns well with Garland’s storytelling style. His films, particularly Annihilation and Men, encourage viewers to draw their own conclusions about the meaning behind various story elements.

A popular theory among fans is that the movie will center on the character Vyke, a Tarnished knight who aspired to become the Elden Lord before the game’s events. Vyke is prominently featured on the game’s cover and is encountered as an enemy within Elden Ring. His narrative is one of a hero who ultimately sacrifices himself, perhaps in vain, and fails to attain the status of Elden Lord.

An in-game description of Vyke’s armor hints at his tragic journey:

“No other Tarnished was closer to the throne of the Elden Lord than Vyke. But without announcement, Vyke traveled far below the capital, and was scorched by the flame of frenzy. Did he make his choice for his maiden, or did some other force lure him with suggestion?”

While A24 has yet to announce the cast officially, several actors are rumored to be attached or under consideration for roles.

Kit Connor, known for his role in Heartstopper and as the voice of Pantalaimon in His Dark Materials, is reportedly set to star in Elden Ring. He previously collaborated with Garland on the upcoming Warfare, co-directed by Ray Mendoza. Connor also has experience in video game voice acting, with credits in titles like A Plague Tale: Requiem, Dreams, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, making him a fitting choice for another gaming-related role.

Other names mentioned for the Elden Ring film include Cailee Spaeny, who appeared in Garland’s Civil War and Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus, and Ben Whishaw, recognized for his role as Q in the Daniel Craig James Bond films and as the voice of Paddington in the live-action film series.

Actor Nick Offerman, known for Parks and Recreation and The Last of Us, may have hinted at his involvement in Elden Ring during a recent interview. He mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m preparing to go work on a movie with Alex Garland for which I have some intense voice work and physical work to do.” Fans are hopeful that this intense physical work involves bringing the warrior jar Iron Fist Alexander to life in a unique way.

Filming for Elden Ring is set to take place in Scotland, which suggests a release might not happen until 2027, as it seems unlikely for the film to be ready by 2026. A24 has not yet confirmed an official release date for the Elden Ring movie.