PR in the Philippines

(SeaPRwire) –   Since FromSoftware transformed the RPG genre with 2009’s Demon’s Souls, every new title has seemed to demand a film version. The decaying, grimdark high-fantasy of Dark Souls, the nightmarish blend of Gothic horror and H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic terror in Bloodborne, and the blood-soaked, Edo-period revenge story of Sekiro—each game released over the past 17 years presents a compelling setting ripe for a high-concept blockbuster. Fortunately for enthusiasts, one of these titles is on track to become just that.

First announced in 2025, a movie based on FromSoft’s Elden Ring is being developed by the acclaimed independent studio A24. Under the direction of Alex Garland (Ex Machina, last year’s Warfare), the project is being produced by Garland’s regular partners Peter Rice, Andrew Macdonald, and Allon Reich. They are joined by the author of the game’s intricate lore, George R.R. Martin, and his Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon co-producer, Vince Gerardis. When news of the adaptation surfaced last May, followers expected a long wait for further updates. The commencement of filming, however, has now upended that expectation.

Two videos from the production set, leaked by @ThroxTV on TikTok, verify that shooting is officially underway and offer a peek at the visual fidelity being pursued. One relatively mundane clip displays a line of carts, barrels, and other props that appear copied directly from the game. The other reveals a ruined chapel that is unmistakably one of the dilapidated Churches of Marika, important in-game locations. Initially, the footage seems to only confirm the film’s commitment to accuracy, but a more detailed look provides grounds to theorize about its place in the story’s chronology.

The Elden Ring game is set in the vast realm called the Lands Between. This land was once governed by Queen Marika, the chosen vessel of the Greater Will—an unseen cosmic force that upholds order via the Elden Ring, a set of runes and powers dictating natural law. Marika dreamed of a paradise free from death, leading her to remove the Rune of Death from the Elden Ring and give it to her protector, Maliketh. The game’s events occur long after the Shattering, a disaster where Queen Marika, consumed by grief after her son Godwyn is murdered by assassins wielding the stolen Rune of Death’s power, shattered the Elden Ring and vanished. Her rejection of the Greater Will threw the Lands Between into an eternal war among her demigod offspring, who fight for possession of the remaining Great Runes. Keeping up?

Although many hoped for a film set before the Shattering, the deteriorated condition of the Church of Marika in the leaks implies the movie may actually be set after that pivotal event. This doesn’t necessarily mean it will adapt the game’s plot, which itself can be set anywhere from decades to millennia post-Shattering. Garland’s film could instead be set before the game, centering on the conflict between Marika’s children.

Focusing on the Shattering War rather than the game’s narrative could be the most logical approach, given that George R.R. Martin’s primary input was crafting the dense backstory that precedes the player’s journey. The game’s core story, penned by FromSoft’s creative director Hidetaka Miyazaki, is conveyed through player interaction and exploration, not traditional cutscenes, making it a particularly challenging adaptation. Furthermore, the successful screen adaptation of Martin’s other fantasy universe suggests his elaborate prequel lore may be a more feasible path for a movie.

In any case, the Elden Ring film carries significant expectations: it is the first cinematic adaptation of a FromSoftware game and marks A24’s initial foray into video game adaptations. Alex Garland undoubtedly faces a formidable task in realizing Martin and Miyazaki’s sword-and-sorcery epic, but at least the production has its barrels ready.