Acclaimed filmmaker Alex Garland has taken steps to bring Elden Ring, one of the most celebrated video games of recent years, to the big screen. Backed by the independent studio A24, the project has gained traction following a direct pitch to Hidetaka Miyazaki, the game’s creator and president of FromSoftware.
In a recent interview with The New Yorker, A24 cofounder Daniel Katz recalled how the adaptation came about. During a meeting at Garland’s London home, Garland showcased the game on his PlayStation and asked if A24 would support a film version. Katz, impressed by the game’s striking fantasy landscapes, likened them to the sweeping visuals of The Lord of the Rings and responded, in his words, “F*ck yeah.”
To secure Miyazaki’s approval, Garland drafted a 160-page script along with 40 pages of accompanying imagery to convey his vision. He then traveled to Japan alongside Katz to present the proposal directly to the developer. The effort reportedly sealed the agreement, marking a rare case where Miyazaki engaged with Hollywood over an adaptation of his work.
This marks the second video game adaptation under A24’s banner. The studio is also developing a film based on Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding, another project centered around a celebrated auteur of the medium. Katz noted the parallels between Miyazaki and Kojima, describing them as creators who bring personal artistic vision to their games.
Elden Ring, released in 2022 by FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment, was a critical and commercial milestone. Directed by Miyazaki with worldbuilding contributions from author George R. R. Martin, the action role-playing title transported players into the Lands Between, a sprawling open world filled with danger, mystery, and freedom of exploration. It quickly became one of the best-selling and most acclaimed games of its generation, with more than 30 million copies sold and widespread recognition as a modern classic.
The game’s success led to further expansion, including the 2024 release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, which sold over 10 million copies, and the 2025 multiplayer-focused spinoff, Elden Ring Nightreign. The upcoming film adaptation signals an effort to extend the franchise into new mediums, though it remains unclear how closely Garland’s vision will adhere to the game’s vast lore.
