So Is Elden Ring Just Gonna Cost Twice As Much As Any Of A24’s Other Movies?

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For several weeks, there were whispers, but now it’s confirmed: a movie adaptation of Elden Ring is under development at A24, with Alex Garland set to direct. The announcement might not come as a complete surprise given the circulation of such reports since the start of the month. However, when you consider what the film will cover, it’s quite astonishing.

Studio A24 is recognized for its low-budget, independent film productions, with the priciest production it has financed being the upcoming movie Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet, directed by Josh Safdie from Uncut Gems. Despite this, Marty Supreme’s reported $70 million budget places it squarely in the mid-budget range. To give you an idea, there isn’t a single Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film that costs that little; even the original Iron Man had a production cost of around $130-$140 million. A24’s films have, up until now, offered cost-effective alternatives to the franchise-driven, high-priced blockbuster market.

A24’s Shift Toward IP And Action Filmmaking

In recent times, there has been a slight change in direction for A24. While it predominantly produces low- and mid-budget original dramas and horror films, there are indications that it is considering expanding its horizons into intellectual property (IP) and action genres. The Death Stranding film adaptation, which they announced first, hints at their exploration of big IP, and Alex Garland’s Civil War (previously the studio’s most expensive project) demonstrates their step towards action films that demand spectacle. However, as of now, a director has not been appointed for these ventures.

In simple terms, the movie Civil War generated significant impact with its budget of $50 million, portraying a devastated America filled with deserted vehicles, street battles in Washington D.C., and even the White House, along with dramatic helicopter shots. However, it was essentially based on our reality, as its characters were human beings. On the other hand, Elden Ring presents a different scenario, leading me to ponder how daring a move A24 will need to make in order to bring it to life.

The Green Knight Is A Blueprint, But Only A Blueprint

The studio boasts a background in creating fantasy worlds similar to that of David Lowery’s film, “The Green Knight”. This Arthurian adaptation featured Dev Patel traversing a medieval England with a dreamlike quality, filled with characters who exhibit the same enigmatic mischief as those found in FromSoftware games. Additionally, the cinematography and settings align well with Elden Ring’s visual style.

One notable feature of Elden Ring is its challenging boss battles. These encounters are grandiose and impressive, with some being so large that they could be staged as action scenes using costumes and practical effects (and even then, Margit the Fell Omen is colossal). However, other bosses, like the dragons scattered throughout the game, would probably require a generous amount of computer-generated imagery (CGI). I’m curious about Alex Garland’s perspective on this, as he has consistently produced exceptional work within budget constraints throughout his career, whether as a writer-director in films such as Annihilation or through his collaborations with Danny Boyle.

remarkably, it’s astonishing that the barren scenes of a post-apocalyptic London from the film “28 Days Later” are so visually striking, considering its production budget was just $8 million.

Fundamentally, what draws players to Elden Ring is its spectacular nature. It offers breathtaking landscapes, diverse otherworldly settings, and imaginative mythical creatures. Places such as Stormveil Castle and Raya Lucaria Academy would demand meticulous location scouting or the construction of vast sets, or a blend of both. The game is brimming with awe-inspiring vistas that appear to have significantly boosted its production costs.

Despite not featuring the expansive battle scenes characteristic of a fantasy epic like The Lord of the Rings, Elden Ring is not as focused on intimacy as typical A24 productions. The Green Knight shares similar themes and tones, but Elden Ring demands a more grandiose scale. Given this requirement, it seems unlikely that the studio hasn’t considered venturing into the $100 million budget range for the first time to accommodate such a large project.

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2025-05-25 21:06