The exploration of the Lands Between will finally make its way to the screen with Alex Garland directing the adaptation of Elden Ring. The world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin is massive, grim, and fantastical, and it brings many characters into its lore. So, even with a cast list and a confirmed release date, many questions remain about who will play whom and which characters will actually appear.
Since we can speculate that the story won’t cover any characters from the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, it seems unlikely that we’ll see Needle Knight Leda or Sir Ansbach. We could be proven wrong, but in terms of sheer scale, it makes sense to stick to the main game. Also, as there are so many branching stories in Elden Ring, tied to a very specific order to interact with NPCs, it would be impossible to fit them all in a film in a substantial way. For this reason, as much as we would love to see it, the more grim characters, like the Dung Eater or the eye-eating Hyetta of the Frenzied Flame storyline, are unlikely to appear. Still, there are certain characters we can’t see not being in the film, given how integral or engaging their stories are.
The Tarnished
The player character, a husk, is given life and a chance to change the Lands Between forever. This is an obvious way to introduce the movie’s protagonist. It seems likely that Kit Conner, Ben Whishaw, or Tom Burke could fill this role. However, many are uncertain about how much dialogue the main character will have, as the game is more about building lore around the player. A narrator may help tell the story better, and a voice like Peter Serafinowicz could fit the bill.
Regardless, the movie needs a protagonist, and even if this character is given a name, fans will know them as the tarnished. We think it is likely to also wield one iconic armor set throughout, possibly the Raging Wolf Set, which was featured prominently in the game’s promotional material.
Ranni the Witch
The world of Elden Ring is filled with different disciplines of magic. We expect to see incantations from the Golden Order, Dragon Communion, and even the Frenzied Flame, alongside gravity and blood sorcery. For a movie adaptation, it makes most sense to focus on a singular magic style to complement the sword-and-shield battles.
Ranni the Witch comes from a lineage of Carian Sorcerers and evolves to be able to use Dark Moon Sorcery, both of which can be visually stunning and an ideal focal point for Elden Ring’s magic system. Featuring Ranni would be ideal to allow The Tarnished to come to understand magic. Moreover, Ranni’s quest line in the game is one of the longest and introduces some of the game’s most interesting characters (including Blaidd, who also seems like an easy pick).
Need more? Ranni is also one of the first NPCs you run into in the game, and her story is one of a tragic rebellion against the systems in place. Also, she has a stunning design, and she’s a fan favorite. While Ranni may not be the focus, we would be surprised if she wasn’t a big focus of the movie’s plot.
Patches
Not only is Patches one of the few characters to appear in Elden Ring and the Souls games, but he also makes the perfect heel. He shows how the world can transform survivors into a harsh fantasy landscape where betrayal is an easy means of survival. Patches could fill the role of a backstabbing ally, only really showing up to help when it benefits him.
Patches is also one of the most talkative characters in the entire franchise. He loves to sell his wares and mock the player when they stumble into his trap, only to beg for mercy after an escape. From a cinematic perspective, Patches is the most easily adaptable and recognizable character to bring into the film.
Gideon Ofnir
Gideon Ofnir may be one of the least interesting characters at the Roundtable Hold, and his boss battle leaves a lot to be desired. Still, he’s the perfect antagonist for a film adaptation. He has vast knowledge, and he’s an observer of the world who only steps in to stop things when he believes that The Tarnished is getting close to fulfilling his prophecy.
Gideon is a perfect “mastermind” character to throw into the mix. He’s not the one who poses the greatest threat, but one who manipulates things behind the scenes to maintain order. In the game, he is underwhelming, especially if you don’t dive deep into the lore. However, he could be a perfect fit in the movie adaptation.
Blaidd
Blaidd is a large, wolf-like warrior who plays a part in several storylines, and while he is a man of few words, his daunting presence and power make him an easy choice to include among potential travel companions to The Tarnished. The cast confirmed thus far also includes those who have also done voice-acting work, which could hint that Blaidd will be included.
Blaidd’s story is perfect for film: a tragic ally serving Ranni the Witch and a companion to the tarnished. There is a lot of emotional depth, ties to key characters, and a striking visual presence that make his appearance in the movie seem like a no-brainer. Also, dogs have been essential to Souls lore, with past characters like Sif becoming fan favorites.
Melina
Melina acts as a guide for The Tarnished, a role that likely won’t translate to the big screen, as other narrative devices could replace much of her functionality and story, even though she’s essential to the game. In cinematic terms, she is a kind of exposition/explanation character, which is not necessarily ideal if they just over-explain everything to the audience.
However, she is easily recognizable and can also fill the role of other characters who won’t appear in the film, such as spirit tuner Roderika. I have a gut feeling that she may not be included in the film in a substantial role. However, until fans are told otherwise, she seems necessary to push the story forward (if done properly). She could also help fill in some lore gaps from other characters who won’t be making an appearance.
Malenia, Blade of Miquella
Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is one of the most well-received and beloved bosses in all of From Software’s games, from her design to her tragic backstory and her unmatched power. There is a good chance that other bosses, like Godrick, Rennala, Morgott, and Godfrey, will also play significant roles. But, if they are going to bring one boss to life, it’s hard to see Malenia, Blade of Miquella not being included. Her fighting style, in particular, seems ideal to showcase on the big screen.
Easter Egg Characters
Who does not like a little fan service? While some of these may be wishful thinking, even a few nods to the community and the broader world of From Software games would be welcome and seem almost inevitable. Although Solaire of Astora was a staple in Dark Souls, the optimistic praiser of the sun, with his iconic emblem and memeable pose, would be great to see on the big screen. On that same note, everyone’s favorite troubled traveler, “Onion Knight,” would add some levity, even just to show him getting rolled around a bit in battle.
As far as the game community is concerned, it would be great to see “Let me Solo Her,” the pot-headed dual sword wielder, a real-life player who mastered taking on Malenia and would be a beacon of hope for many travelers. Even if he appears for a second in the background, this would be the ultimate nod to the dedicated fanbase that takes the world and makes it their own through camaraderie and honing their skills. Little gems like this would help cement Elden Ring as one of the best video game adaptations of all time.
Since I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into Elden Ring, I have a wishlist of characters that I would love to be featured in the upcoming movie. Fingers crossed for Dung Eater, Iron Fist Alexander, or Miriel. However, in this list, I thought about what seems more practical for an adaptation. Let us know which characters you want to see in Alex Garland’s Elden Ring and how you think they will fit into the movie.
A24’s $100 million-budget adaptation of Elden Ring is set to hit theaters on Mar. 3, 2028.
- Release Date
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March 3, 2028
- Producers
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Allon Reich, Andrew Macdonald, George R. R. Martin, Vince Gerardis, Matthew Penry-Davey
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
