Several photos of the set of A24’s Elden Ring movie have been leaked, including images that hint at exactly which characters from the game will appear in the film (via Shortlist). Writer and director Alex Garland is currently filming a portion of the movie at the Greenwich Naval College in South London.
The set is reportedly covered in mist from dry ice or fog machines, and several greenscreens can be seen in the external shots of the college–likely intended to leave room for animators and CGI artists to add the massive Erdtree to various shots in post-production. In one exterior shot showing set dressers preparing for filming, a box can be seen labeled “Leyndell Streets.” Leyndell is the game’s capital city, and is situated at the roots of the Erdtree, so it seems that the Greenwich Naval College serves as the set for Leyndell.
A second container, labeled “Stormveil,” can be seen in the photos. It appears to be holding an assortment of handmade brooms. In-game, Stormveil Castle is home to a major boss fight with Godrick the Grafted, a Demigod and distant relative of Queen Marika who, after fleeing Leyndell, takes up the taboo “art” of grafting, attaching body parts of other people to himself to increase his power. With Stormveil appearing to be confirmed as a location audiences will see in the film, it’s certainly possible they’ll get to see Stormveil Castle’s grisly inhabitant in action, too. But Godrick’s an optional boss in Elden Ring, so it’s also possible the film may reference him without devoting an entire scene to him.
The Academy of Raya Lucaria–a school for sorcerers–may also appear in the film, based on a photo depicting a collection of metal cages or lanterns that very much resemble the birdcages dangling from Raya Lucaria’s ceiling in-game. The Naval College’s intricate Painted Room is currently closed off for filming, suggesting it, too, will appear in the film–though whether it will be decorated with the hanging birdcages of Raya Lucaria–or dressed to depict a different in-game locale–isn’t yet clear.
One of the most exciting leaked photos is rather underwhelming at first glance: a wooden beam that appears to be a gallows, with a single chain hanging from it. But upon closer inspection, this wood-and-chain setup looks nearly identical to the one Dung Eater is hanged from in Elden Ring’s opening cinematic. Dung Eater is generally a pretty despicable character, engaging in ritual violence and murder that resulted in Seedbed Curses, which permanently severed his victims’ souls from their connection to the Erdtree, binding them to Dung Eater and ensuring they’d be reborn as Omen. During his hanging, he receives Queen Marika’s grace, which eventually revives him. Completing Dung Eater’s quest results in players getting the “Blessing of Despair” ending.
The gallows pictured in the set photos certainly suggest Dung Eater will appear in the film, but whether he plays a major role or only makes a brief appearance isn’t yet known.
We do know which actors have been cast in the film, though specific roles haven’t been announced. Emma Laird (A Haunting in Venice, 28 Years Later) is among the main cast, with many speculating she may play Queen Marika the Eternal, though nothing has been confirmed. On Reddit, a photo recently leaked showing what appears to be a young Queen Marika walking the streets of Leyndell, though it’s unclear where the photo came from–it wasn’t part of the photos obtained by Shortlist–and it’s hard to tell who the actress in the photo is.
The Elden Ring movie is currently scheduled to dodge-roll its way into theaters on March 3, 2028.