Elden Ring is being adapted into a live-action movie by publisher Bandai Namco.
FromSoftware’s acclaimed open-world action RPG will be transported to the silver screen in collaboration with writer-director Alex Garland and indie production company A24.
Garland is the creative force behind movies such as Ex Machina, Warfare, 28 Days Later, and more.
A24, meanwhile, has established itself as an indie powerhouse after producing a string of hits such as Hereditary, Midsummer, Past Lives, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Moonlight, and Uncut Gems.
This isn’t the first time A24 will oversee a video game adaptation, with the company having already partnered with Kojima Productions to birth a Death Stranding movie.
Elden Ring joins the growing procession of transmedia projects
Elden Ring has shipped over 30 million units worldwide since launching in February 2022. FromSoftware extended support for the title with the launch of a robust expansion called Shadow of the Erdtree. The studio is now preparing to release a full-fledged multiplayer spinoff in the form of Elden Ring Nightreign, which is slated for launch on May 30, 2025.
Given the popularity of Elden Ring, it’s hardly surprising to see Bandai Namco look for opportunities beyond the world of video games.
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Transmedia projects have become hugely successful in recent years, with studios and publishers attempting to expand the footprint of major franchises by crossing the multimedia divide.
The Last of Us, Fallout, Cyberpunk, The Super Mario Bros., Minecraft, and Sonic the Hedgehog have all been adapted into successful television and movie projects, often funnelling new players towards their video game counterparts in the process while delivering hefty box office returns.