It's going to be a long two-year wait before Alex Garland's Elden Ring movie adaptation hits theaters, but leaked photos and footage from the set are already keeping us busy with speculation. Described vaguely as a "live-action adaptation of the fantasy game," which was developed by FromSoftware and publisehd by Bandai Namco Entertainment, an official plot synopsis for the movie has not yet been revealed.
However, newly leaked set photos have seemingly confirmed a popular theory that the movie will serve as a prequel to the game. Or at the very least, there will be moments in the film that focus on the pre-shattering era of the Lands Between.
Photos and footage from the set, some of which have already been removed, have shown bustling streets of Leyndell, Royal Capital. The presence of merchants, soldiers, and residents suggest scenes of the film could take place prior to the cataclysmic event. In the game, the Leyndell we experience is desolate and ruined.
Additional photos have given us a sneak peek at some of the actors in the film. Most notable is an appearance of Emma Laird as Queen Marika walking through Leyndell. A background character in Elden Ring, Queen Marika the Eternal is the current ruler of the Lands Between, and the one who shattered the Elden Ring.
Though players don't actually meet Queen Marika in the game, her appearance in these set photos support the growing theory that Garland's adaptation will at least explore the events prior the Shattering, and could focus on the familial drama and the violent struggle for power that led to the devastation of the Lands Between. It's worth noting, however, that previous set leaks have shown live-action recrations of a battered and broken Chuch of Marika, so it's possible that the film will jump back and forth between time periods.
Created under the guidance of FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki, based on a mythological story written by George R. R. Martin, this action RPG debuted in 2022. It allows players to explore vast environments and dungeons to discover the unknown and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming obstacles and challenges. The dark fantasy action RPG has surpassed 30 million copies sold worldwide.
Earlier this week, Bandai Namco and A24 announced the cast of Elden Ring, confirming Kit Connor (Warfare), Ben Whishaw (Skyfall), Cailee Spaeny (Alien: Romulus), Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes), Ruby Cruze (Willow), and Nick Offerman (The Last of Us) among the list. The specific characters they'll be playing has not yet been revealed, though it now appears that the film will feature at least some characters from the game in some variation. Whether it's a version we saw in the game or one that took place prior to the events remains to be seen.
The Elden Ring movie is scheduled to release in theaters on March 3, 2028.