160 Pages, 40 Visuals, One Flight to Japan: How Garland Convinced Miyazaki to Trust Him with 'Elden Ring'
His obsession makes it clear the film’s in careful hands.
Keeping an eye on video game adaptations can feel like watching studios chase the next quick win. That’s why the story of Alex Garland’s Elden Ring film feels so different. Garland, the mind behind Ex Machina and Civil War, didn’t wait for a call from A24.
Instead, he wrote a 160-page script, created 40 pages of visuals, and then flew to Japan to pitch the idea directly to Hidetaka Miyazaki. The result? Miyazaki gave him his blessing, and A24 gave him the green light. Not your typical Hollywood transaction, is it?
Passion Before Profit
What strikes me most is the intensity of Garland’s approach. In an age where adaptations often start with boardrooms and balance sheets, here’s a filmmaker acting more like a superfan.
He wasn’t chasing a cheque — he was chasing trust. And frankly, knowing that makes me a little calmer about this project. After all, isn’t it rare to see a director put in this kind of work simply out of respect?
Casting the Lands Between
With the deal sealed, attention now turns to casting. Names like Kit Connor, Ben Whishaw, and Cailee Spaeny are already circling, which hints at an ensemble as intriguing as the game’s mythology itself.
For a world co-created by Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin, the bar for atmosphere is sky-high. Still, if Garland’s track record is anything to go by, it seems the Lands Between may be in the hands of someone who understands how to balance beauty with dread.
