A24's big-screen take on Elden Ring is shaping up with a stacked cast and a 2028 release

A24's long-gestating live-action adaptation of the blockbuster video game Elden Ring has locked in a release date: March 3, 2028. Directed and written by Alex Garland, known for Ex Machina and Annihilation, the film is shaping up to be one of the studio's most ambitious ventures yet. Shot entirely in IMAX, it aims to bring the sprawling, myth-heavy world of the FromSoftware game to life with both visual scale and narrative depth.

The cast is quickly becoming a who's who of rising and established talent. Kit Connor, fresh off his acclaimed performance in Riverdale, will play the lead role, while Ben Whishaw brings his signature intensity to a key supporting character. Cailee Spaeny, Tom Burke, Havana Rose Liu, Sonoya Mizuno, and Emma Laird have all joined the project, rounding out a diverse and dynamic ensemble. Their roles are being kept under wraps, but early buzz suggests they'll embody some of the game's most enigmatic figures.

Garland, who has long been fascinated by complex worlds and existential themes, seems like a natural fit for Elden Ring's cryptic lore and haunting landscapes. The game, released in 2022, became a cultural phenomenon for its challenging gameplay and rich, fragmented storytelling. Translating that into a coherent film narrative is no small task, but Garland's track record with cerebral, visually bold projects gives fans reason to hope.

The production is a joint effort between A24 and Bandai Namco, the game's publisher, signaling a serious commitment to honoring the source material. With a reported massive budget, the studio is treating this not just as a genre film, but as a potential franchise starter. Filming has officially begun, with locations rumored to include remote landscapes in Iceland and Eastern Europe to mirror the game's otherworldly terrain.

For fans of the game, the biggest question is how the film will handle the open-ended, player-driven story. Elden Ring doesn't hand out its secrets easily-its plot unfolds through item descriptions, environmental clues, and fleeting NPC dialogue. Garland will need to distill that into a linear narrative without losing the sense of mystery that defines the experience.

Still, early confidence is high. A24 has built a reputation for taking creative risks and delivering critically acclaimed work, from Everything Everywhere All at Once to Dune: Part Two co-distributor partnerships. Pairing that with Bandai Namco's creative oversight could set a new standard for video game adaptations, a genre that's historically struggled to win over both critics and fans.

If it lands, the Elden Ring movie might not just be a hit-it could redefine how we think about games as source material. With a 2028 release on the horizon and a talented team behind it, the journey to the Lands Between is finally making its way to the big screen.