A new report suggests the upcoming Elden Ring film will cost close to $200 million, making it the most expensive production in A24’s history and a major step into blockbuster filmmaking.
A24’s biggest film yet
The reported figure comes from an in-depth Wall Street Journal report published on October 23. It states that A24’s video-game adaptation, scheduled for 2028, has a budget of nearly $200 million, citing people familiar with the matter.
That would put Elden Ring well ahead of Marty Supreme as the studio’s costliest movie. A24 is reportedly valued at more than $3.5 billion and is exploring ways to remain independent while expanding. Backing a large-scale adaptation of one of the decade’s most popular games appears to be part of that broader strategy.
For readers tracking the relationship between games and entertainment, the project is another example of a major interactive property moving into film. RETROCADE’s arcade news and gaming coverage follows that wider shift across the industry.
Alex Garland leads a distinctive adaptation
Despite its scale, the film is not necessarily shaping up as a conventional blockbuster. Alex Garland is directing, following films including Ex Machina, Annihilation and Civil War.
Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny and Nick Offerman are attached to star, although their roles have not been revealed. Plot details remain tightly guarded, leaving little confirmed information about how the game’s world and characters will be handled on screen.
Release plans and awards potential
A major video-game adaptation has not traditionally been an awards-season contender, but the combination of Garland’s filmography and the property’s ambitious scale could make Elden Ring an unusual prospect.
A24 currently plans to release the film in cinemas on March 3, 2028. That same year is also expected to bring Sony Pictures’ Helldivers movie and Skydance’s Call of Duty film.
The scale of the production also highlights how established game brands can move beyond their original formats. RETROCADE’s arcade videos explore other ways gaming history and culture continue to reach audiences.
As with choosing an arcade machine, a recognisable name is only the starting point. The final result will depend on how successfully the production translates the atmosphere and identity of the original game.
Readers interested in the practical side of bringing games into a physical space can also browse RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide.
Leave a Reply