Alex Garland’s Vision for Elden Ring: A Cinematic Take on Fantasy Warfare
The prospect of an Elden Ring movie has sparked intense debate among fans of the game, with many wondering who would be the ideal director to bring this epic fantasy world to life. According to a recent report from IGN, film studio A24 has chosen Alex Garland, a British writer and director known for his work on science fiction dramas like Ex Machina and Annihilation, to adapt Hidetaka Miyazaki’s magnum opus for the big screen.
At first glance, Garland’s style may seem like an odd match for Elden Ring, given his background in grounded, slow-burning science fiction. However, as IGN notes, Garland has proven himself to be a versatile filmmaker, capable of reinventing himself and venturing into new frontiers. His experience playing video games, including the Resident Evil series, which inspired his script for 28 Days Later, and his appreciation for the Dark Souls series, suggest that he may be more familiar with the world of Elden Ring than initially meets the eye.
In an interview with Gamespot, Garland described the Dark Souls games as having an "embedded poetry" that creates an "existential dream" experience. This perspective could be invaluable in capturing the essence of Elden Ring, a game that challenges players to navigate a dark, unforgiving world filled with mysterious creatures and ancient lore. As IGN observes, Garland’s approach to adapting Elden Ring could involve creating a film that focuses on the moment-to-moment journey of a single Tarnished character, rather than trying to condense the game’s sprawling narrative into a coherent, linear storyline.
One possible direction for Garland’s adaptation is to draw inspiration from his war thriller, Warfare, which IGN describes as a "nail-biting" film that evokes feelings of being "outnumbered, outmatched, overwhelmed, afraid for your life." These emotions are not dissimilar from those experienced by players navigating the treacherous landscapes of Elden Ring. By transposing the intense, suspenseful tone of Warfare to the world of Elden Ring, Garland could create a film that captures the game’s sense of vulnerability and desperation.
As IGN notes, Garland’s experience with crafting suspenseful, psychologically complex action sequences in Warfare could be an asset in adapting Elden Ring for the big screen. The film’s focus on the player’s Tarnished character, struggling to survive in a hostile world, could provide a compelling narrative framework for exploring the game’s themes of fear, despair, and senseless violence.
According to IGN, Garland’s vision for Elden Ring is likely to be shaped by his experience working on Warfare, which features a cast of characters, including Kit Connor, who may also appear in the Elden Ring adaptation. By drawing on his strengths as a filmmaker who explores psychology through graphic, carefully choreographed action, Garland may be able to create a film that does justice to the game’s dark, atmospheric world and its complex, often ambiguous narrative.
In conclusion, Alex Garland’s approach to adapting Elden Ring for the big screen is likely to be shaped by his experience working on science fiction dramas and war thrillers. As IGN observes, his vision for the film may involve creating a cinematic take on fantasy warfare, one that captures the game’s sense of vulnerability and desperation. While it remains to be seen how Garland’s adaptation will ultimately turn out, his background and experience suggest that he may be the right director to bring this epic fantasy world to life.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/alex-garlands-elden-ring-movie-should-feel-like-fantasy-warfare
Tim Brinkhof is a freelance writer specializing in art and history. After studying journalism at NYU, he has gone on to write for Vox, Vulture, Slate, Polygon, GQ, Esquire and more.
