Highly Anticipated 'Elden Ring' Film Adaptation Begins Production in UK
Principal photography has begun in the United Kingdom on the live-action film adaptation of Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed 2022 video game, with director Alex Garland at the helm of what is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and eagerly anticipated video game adaptations ever committed to film.
The production, a co-venture between A24, Bandai Namco Filmworks, and DNA Films, began shooting in April 2026 at locations across Scotland and London, with London's Greenwich Naval College reportedly being used to recreate settings from the game's world, the Lands Between. Further filming is planned for Iceland, with the finished film scheduled for release in cinemas on 3 March 2028 in IMAX.
Background
Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco in February 2022, became one of the most celebrated video games of the decade, winning numerous Game of the Year awards and selling more than 25 million copies worldwide. The game's rich, melancholic world — built on lore co-created by FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki and author George R.R. Martin — has long been considered fertile ground for adaptation, though the complexity of its narrative and the depth of its worldbuilding presented significant creative challenges.
The announcement that Alex Garland would write and direct the adaptation was met with considerable excitement. Garland, whose previous films include Ex Machina and Civil War, is known for his ability to translate complex, philosophical source material into compelling cinema. A self-professed fan of the game, he reportedly secured the project with a detailed 160-page script — a level of preparation that signals the seriousness with which he has approached the adaptation.
The involvement of George R.R. Martin as a producer has further raised expectations. Martin's participation suggests a commitment to remaining faithful to the game's foundational lore, and his experience navigating the adaptation of complex fantasy worlds — however fraught that experience has sometimes been — makes him a valuable creative partner.
Key Developments
The film's budget, reported to be well over $100 million, makes it A24's most expensive project to date — a significant departure for a studio better known for intimate, character-driven films. The decision to invest at this scale reflects both the commercial potential of the Elden Ring brand and A24's confidence in Garland's vision.
The confirmed cast is a blend of rising stars and established actors, several of whom have previously worked with Garland: Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Ben Whishaw, Nick Offerman, Jonathan Pryce, Peter Serafinowicz, Tom Burke, and Sonoya Mizuno. Specific character roles have not yet been publicly announced, but the story is expected to follow the game's central narrative of a "Tarnished" character's quest to restore the shattered Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord, with an anticipated focus on the grounded, character-driven, and melancholic aspects of the game's world.
The UK's role as a primary filming location is significant for the domestic film industry. The use of Greenwich Naval College and Scottish locations underlines the continued importance of the UK as a destination for major international productions, supported by the UK's film tax relief regime and its world-class production infrastructure.
Why It Matters
The Elden Ring film matters for several reasons. It represents the latest — and perhaps most ambitious — attempt to translate a major video game franchise into a cinematic experience, at a moment when the relationship between gaming and film is more commercially significant than ever. The success of adaptations such as The Last of Us on television has demonstrated that video game stories can resonate with mainstream audiences when handled with care and creative ambition. Garland's involvement, and the scale of A24's investment, suggest that this adaptation is being approached with exactly that level of seriousness.
For the UK film industry, the production is also a significant vote of confidence in British talent, locations, and infrastructure at a time when the sector is navigating the aftermath of the Hollywood strikes and the ongoing disruption caused by streaming.
Local Impact
The UK's role as a primary filming location for the Elden Ring adaptation is good news for the domestic film and television production sector, which has seen significant growth in recent years. Productions of this scale generate substantial economic activity — in crew employment, location fees, accommodation, and supply chain spending — and help to maintain the UK's reputation as one of the world's premier filmmaking destinations. For Northern Ireland, which has built a strong track record as a filming location following the success of Game of Thrones, the broader trend of major international productions choosing the UK is a positive signal for the province's own screen industry ambitions.
What's Next
Principal photography is expected to continue through 2026, with post-production work — including the visual effects that will be central to bringing the Lands Between to life — likely to extend well into 2027. The film is scheduled for release on 3 March 2028 in IMAX, giving the production team ample time to deliver the ambitious vision that Garland has outlined. Fans of the game will be watching every development closely, and the first trailer — when it arrives — is likely to be one of the most anticipated moments in gaming and cinema culture in recent memory.
For the latest production news, see the Elden Ring film Wikipedia page and GamesRadar's comprehensive guide to everything we know.
