What Would an Elden Ring Movie Even Look Like?

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In the evening of May 22, it was revealed that Bandai Namco would be collaborating with renowned indie studio A24 and director Alex Garland for a movie adaption of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s game, Elden Ring.

In my experience playing Elden Ring, it might initially seem similar to games like The Witcher or Skyrim, offering an expansive fantasy world filled with monsters, realms, and plenty of horseback riding. However, what sets this 2022 Game of the Year apart is its unique, challenging gameplay style, often referred to as “soulsborne” – a term associated with Hidetaka Miyazaki’s work at FromSoftware.

In Elden Ring, I found myself navigating through various hostile creatures and bosses, collecting runes (formerly known as souls) upon defeating them. Yet, the game carries a distinct risk-reward mechanism: if I perish before redeeming my runes, they vanish into thin air. Upon respawning, I get one chance to return and reclaim my lost runes at their exact location, but if I meet my demise again before reaching them, the runes are gone forever.

The repetitive gameplay and mysterious penalties that are characteristic of Elden Ring could make it an ideal fit for a director like Garland, but translating this to the big screen won’t be straightforward. One challenge with adapting video games into movies is replicating the fun of gameplay (even if some side-scrolling scenes in The Super Mario Bros. Movie came close). It’s unlikely we’ll be able to capture the feeling of losing 304,000 runes on screen, and the story of Elden Ring may not translate as smoothly.

In essence, the game Elden Ring has a complex narrative that delves deep into its universe, with the player assuming the role of a humble Tarnished, aiming to aid Melina, a mysterious woman, reach the colossal golden tree known as the Erdtree. The journey involves various side quests that may not have favorable outcomes and encounters with towering, disgusting monsters. Despite its intricate nature, the story is somewhat abstract, demanding players to read numerous item descriptions and look up additional information online.

If streamlined, Elden Ring could resemble Game of Thrones: a dark, complex fantasy saga where death prevails supremely. If Garland decides wisely, he should construct an Elden Ring movie similar to Annihilation, where captivating visuals take precedence over clear plotlines and dialogue, leaving the audience in awe at the sight of the Fire Giant on the big screen, rather than focusing on backstory or motivation.

The intrigue of an Elden Ring adaptation lies in its extensive casting possibilities. Many characters and bosses transcend the gender binary and could potentially span any age range. This adaptability means virtually anyone could fit into this film without it feeling out of place. Hunter Schafer, for instance, could embody Rya, while The Rock might convincingly portray Starscourge Radahn. Even the adorable cast from Warfare could bring the Roundtable Hold’s characters to life! These characters are unique, with some having mouths where their stomachs should be and anywhere between two and nine arms. The game’s worlds are a fascinating blend of ugliness and beauty, offering Garland the chance to create either a grim, menacing atmosphere like Men or a hauntingly beautiful one reminiscent of Annihilation, depending on his creative whim. If he were inclined, Rory Kinnear could even play multiple characters in this adaptation without it seeming unrealistic.

As a devoted Elden Ring enthusiast, I firmly believe that an authentic film adaptation must embody the challenging spirit of the game. It shouldn’t cater to you, but instead, it should challenge you to become proficient in understanding its intricacies. Much like the Soulsborne series, mastery doesn’t come from exploiting cheats or glitches; rather, it’s a result of tireless practice and unwavering dedication. This movie shouldn’t aim to be entertaining or visually stunning, nor should it make perfect sense. If Garland manages to capture this essence, he truly understands what makes Elden Ring so engaging.

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2025-05-24 00:55