Havana Rose Liu is no stranger to high-profile projects, but her latest role in Alex Garland's adaptation of the video game phenomenon Elden Ring is a whole new level of epic. The actress, who broke out in the 2023 comedy Bottoms, is currently filming the A24 blockbuster—a dark fantasy that marks her first major IP-based venture. With a production budget reportedly exceeding $100 million, it's the indie studio's most expensive project yet, and Liu admits the scale is both daunting and exhilarating.
In a recent interview on Collider's Ladies Night series, Liu opened up about her journey to The Lands Between, the war-torn world of Elden Ring. While she couldn't reveal specifics about her character or the plot—Garland is keeping details tightly under wraps until the film's March 2028 release—she shared how the project has resonated with her on a deeply personal level. "I'm so in the thick of it in this moment," Liu said. "The film, and the process of feeling connected to that film, feels like any other, where character, people, timing, and story feel right."
Liu emphasized that the emotional core of the project is what drew her in, much like her previous choices. "It feels daunting, and also, I love my character so much, and I will not say who it is. I love the people so much, and it's been one of my favorite processes I've ever had to becoming involved with a film." The actress's enthusiasm is palpable, even as she navigates the immense expectations surrounding the adaptation of a game that has sold over 30 million copies and is hailed as a masterpiece.
Garland, known for his cerebral sci-fi like Ex Machina and Annihilation, is adapting the open-world action RPG that was co-created by A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin. The game's lore is vast and open-ended, relying heavily on environmental storytelling—a challenge Garland is tackling by staying close to the source material. The cast is equally impressive, featuring Kit Connor, Ben Whishaw, Cailee Spaeny, Tom Burke, Sonoya Mizuno, Jonathan Pryce, Ruby Cruz, Nick Offerman, John Hodgkinson, Jefferson Hall, Emma Laird, and Peter Serafinowicz.
Liu found an unexpected ally in Charles Melton, who worked with Garland on the upcoming war film Warfare. Melton and Liu are also collaborating on Nicolas Winding Refn's Her Private Hell, and his guidance proved invaluable. "Charles Melton is one who's been really lovely and very supportive throughout the process," Liu said. "He made it all feel a little bit more manageable and mine, and everybody else's, but reframed it a little bit for me."
As A24 pushes further into video game adaptations—with projects like Death Stranding and a reality competition based on Overcooked in the works—Elden Ring stands as a monumental test. For Liu, the experience has been transformative. "I just have the most amazing community that I've built from doing this for the past, now, six years," she reflected. "There was a lot of people I leaned on in the initial chats."
Before the Elden Ring hype train fully departs, Liu will appear in two May releases: the crime drama Tuner alongside Leo Woodall, and the comedy Power Ballad with Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. She also has Jesse Eisenberg's A24 musical on the horizon. But for now, her focus is on the daunting yet rewarding path through The Lands Between.
For fans eager to dive into the game's world, check out our ranking of the 10 best video games of the 2010s, which includes the original Elden Ring. And if you're looking for more epic sci-fi, don't miss Prime Video's 'The Boys' finale coming in 2026.
