So, if you could pick any director to make an Elden Ring movie, who would it be? For some reason, this question got stuck in my head the other day. Maybe it was a slow afternoon or maybe I just love imagining hypothetical cinema crossovers. Anyway, you’d probably think of fantasy giants like Peter Jackson, right? Or Guillermo del Toro—yeah, big monsters and magic, totally his thing. Or maybe Miguel Sapochnik because, let’s be honest, anyone who did those crazy battle scenes for Game of Thrones knows a thing or two about chaos.
Now, if you’re feeling a bit artsy, Robert Eggers might pop into your mind, or Yorgos Lanthimos with his abstract storytelling vibes. Heck, Bong Joon Ho could turn some heads with his surreal visuals. Who knows?
But then, there’s Alex Garland. Most people might be scratching their heads thinking, “Wait, what?” I mean, he’s the guy who did Ex Machina and Annihilation. Science fiction, philosophical stuff. Totally not what you’d expect for a game like Elden Ring, right? But surprise! A24 decided he’s the one for the job. It’s like mixing peanut butter with pickles—odd but maybe brilliant? I guess we’ll find out.
So, what’s the deal with Garland, anyway? Honestly, it’s a bit weird because he’s not dabbled much in hardcore fantasy. The man knows his sci-fi inside out, sure, but fantasy’s a whole different beast. His films are about the story and the talking, whereas Elden Ring? It’s more about… well, getting lost and reading random item descriptions, if that makes sense.
But, hear me out. Just because Garland hasn’t done it, doesn’t mean he can’t, right? The guy’s got range—like going from making Ex Machina to directing something like Warfare. Not many knew this, but Garland’s a gamer! Yep, he’s into Resident Evil and apparently, it sort of inspired 28 Days Later. I can totally see him putting the same frantic energy into Elden Ring.
Warfare, the movie, makes you feel like you’re being overwhelmed, just like Elden Ring. I mean, there’s something there. Swap out the setting of Iraq for the eerie land of Limgrave or the scare-your-pants-off region of Caelid, and you’ve got a movie that focuses on being a lone adventurer—all about surviving the moment rather than unraveling a giant epic tale.
And oh, Garland might get Kit Connor from Warfare to hop over to this Elden Ring gig. Suspense and dread are his jam, so it could be pretty wild. Following the path of games like The Last of Us—and making sure to capture that “unbeatable odds” feeling—might just be the ticket.
In the end, this isn’t about flashy scenes with invincible heroes. Elden Ring is a grind, an ongoing battle with your gear and your doubts. Garland’s got that psychological edge, so who knows? Maybe he’ll spin some cinematic magic out of pixels and polygons. Here’s hoping.
