Release date announced: One of recent years’ most successful games is getting a film adaptation

Back in May 2025, it emerged that US production company A24 was developing a live-action adaptation of Elden Ring (the PS5 version is currently available for around $32 on Amazon) – the FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Soulslike widely seen as a spiritual successor to the Dark Souls series and, by many, as one of the best games of 2022.

Until now, however, there had been little concrete information about the project. That has now changed. Bandai Namco has revealed the cast on its official website and also announced the film’s release date. Filming is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, and the movie is set to open in US theaters on March 3, 2028. A European release date has not yet been announced.

High-profile cast, with Alex Garland writing and directing

The film’s cast combines rising stars and established names, although it remains unclear who will play which character. Among the most recognizable cast members are:

• Kit Connor (Heartstopper)
• Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Paddington)
• Cailee Spaeny (Alien: Romulus, Civil War)
• Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)
• Sonoya Mizuno (Ex Machina)
• Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes)
• Ruby Cruz (Willow)
• Nick Offerman (The Last of Us)

Alex Garland is set to write and direct the film. The British filmmaker made his name with works such as Ex Machina, Annihilation and Civil War and is known for his dark, atmospheric style.

Plot still under wraps

There are still no official details about the story, but the world of Elden Ring offers no shortage of material for a compelling film. The game is set in the Lands Between, a decaying realm thrown into chaos after the shattering of a powerful ring. Players take on the role of a Tarnished exile who returns in search of the fragments of the Elden Ring in order to claim the title of Elden Lord. Which parts of that story the film will adapt – and how closely it will follow the source material – remains unknown for now.

Community reaction is cautiously optimistic

Early community reactions have been largely positive. On Reddit, many fans seem surprisingly open to the project and are already debating who might be cast in which role. Alex Garland in particular has been met with considerable enthusiasm as both writer and director. Based on his previous films, many fans believe he could deliver an adaptation that captures the bleak, mysterious atmosphere of Elden Ring. At the same time, many also point out that the film’s success will ultimately depend on which story it chooses to tell and how faithfully it engages with the game’s complex lore.