George R.R. Martin may still be working on The Winds of Winter, but his next big screen venture is already making headlines. The upcoming Elden Ring movie, produced by A24, is reportedly the studio's most expensive production to date, with a budget that could reach a staggering $200 million. That's a massive leap for a company known for its intimate, indie darlings.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the film—written and directed by Alex Garland, the mind behind Civil War and Ex Machina—will cost nearly three times more than A24's previous record-holder, Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet, which came in at around $60–70 million. This new figure also blows past the $100 million that was initially rumored for the adaptation.
For fans of Martin's dark fantasy storytelling, this is a thrilling development. The Elden Ring video game, which Martin helped craft alongside Hidetaka Miyazaki, is set in the Lands Between—a realm shattered by the destruction of the Elden Ring, where demigods wage war and the Tarnished are called to restore order. The game's lore is as epic and mysterious as anything from Westeros, making it a perfect fit for the big screen.
The cast is already stacked with rising stars and seasoned veterans. Kit Connor (Heartstopper) and Cailee Spaeny (Alien: Romulus) lead the ensemble, joined by Nick Offerman (The Last of Us), Sonoya Mizuno (House of the Dragon), Ben Whishaw (Paddington), Tom Burke (Furiosa), Havana Rose Liu (Bottoms), Emma Laird (Mayor of Kingstown), Ruby Cruz (Bottoms), Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes).
Production kicked off in April and wrapped on July 30, though A24 has yet to release an official synopsis. The film is slated to hit theaters on March 3, 2028, giving fans plenty of time to speculate about how Garland will translate the game's sprawling narrative into a single feature.
This project is a bold move for A24, which has built its reputation on smaller, character-driven films like Moonlight and Everything Everywhere All at Once. But with Martin's worldbuilding and Garland's visionary direction, Elden Ring could be the studio's biggest gamble—and its biggest triumph.
For those eager to dive into more fantasy worlds while waiting, check out our list of fantasy films that hook you instantly or explore the best dark fantasy TV episodes. And if you're curious about Martin's other influences, our ranking of 2000s gaming masterpieces is a great place to start.
Stay tuned for more updates on Elden Ring as A24 reveals additional details. This is one fantasy epic that promises to be worth the wait.
