The Lands Between are about to get a whole lot more cinematic!
After weeks of whispers originating from Nexus Point News, Bandai Namco has officially confirmed a live-action Elden Ring movie is in active development! And if that wasn't enough to ignite the gaming world, they've also unveiled a truly electrifying choice for director: Alex Garland.
Garland, known for his masterful work on critically acclaimed and thought-provoking films like Ex Machina, Annihilation, and the recent Civil War, is perfectly poised to bring his unique, often intense vision to the sprawling world of Elden Ring. This monumental undertaking is a collaboration between Bandai Namco and the esteemed independent film studio A24, a company celebrated for its distinctive and frequently boundary-pushing film releases.
As of today, Elden Ring has sold an astounding 30 million copies worldwide, firmly cementing its status as a global phenomenon. Widely considered the pinnacle of the "Souls-like" subgenre, the game is lauded for its punishing yet deeply rewarding combat, expansive open-world exploration, and rich character customization that truly lets players embody their Tarnished.
At its core, Elden Ring was forged under the visionary direction of Hidetaka Miyazaki of FromSoftware, with its mythic foundation penned by none other than George R. R. Martin, the acclaimed author of the A Song of Ice and Fire saga.
Elden Ring plunges players into the Lands Between, a realm once blessed by the Elden Ring and the colossal Erdtree, established by the outer god, the Greater Will, through Queen Marika. A cataclysm known as The Shattering fractured the Elden Ring, leading Marika's demigod offspring to wage war over its remnants, the Great Runes. Exiled beings known as the Tarnished, including the player, are summoned back to gather these Runes, mend the Elden Ring, and ascend to become the new Elden Lord.
What truly sets Elden Ring apart from its "Souls-like" predecessors is its seamless open world. Breaking from the more linear or segmented designs of previous FromSoftware titles, the game grants players an unprecedented level of freedom from the very beginning, allowing them to explore in nearly any direction and craft a truly open-ended adventure.
Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki himself touched upon the possibility of a screen adaptation back in 2024, stating, "I don’t see any reason to deny another interpretation or adaptation of Elden Ring, a movie for example, but I don’t think myself, or FromSoftware, have the knowledge or ability to produce something in a different medium."
He continued, "So that’s where a very strong partner would come into play. We’d have to build a lot of trust and agreement on whatever it is we’re trying to achieve, but we have interest, for sure." It seems they've found that strong partner in Alex Garland and A24.