Kingdom Hearts Enthusiasts Assert They Have Unraveled the Enigma of Alleged AI-Created Box Art

### A24’s *Elden Ring* Movie: What We Know So Far

It has been less than two weeks since images from the sets of A24’s *Elden Ring* film were leaked, and updates concerning the Alex Garland-directed adaptation have been coming in rapidly, along with new photos from the London set. Based on the details gathered so far, it seems that this adaptation of FromSoftware’s renowned 2022 action RPG occurs before the game’s events.

#### The Announcement

Speculation about a live-action *Elden Ring* adaptation started to swirl in early 2025, culminating in an official announcement from independent production company A24 on May 22, which was confirmed by *Elden Ring* publishers Bandai Namco the next day.

At first, precise details were sparse, but fans took heart from the involvement of Alex Garland, a prominent director known for his work on films like *Ex Machina* and *Annihilation*. Garland’s writing background, with films such as *28 Days Later* and *Dredd*, further heightened excitement for the project. Moreover, Bandai Namco Filmworks, in collaboration with A24 and DNA Films, is co-producing the movie, and *Elden Ring* co-writer George R. R. Martin is also on board as a producer.

#### Alex Garland’s Gamer Cred

After the announcement, updates about the film were limited, but narratives concerning Garland’s gaming history emerged. In a conversation with *IGN*, Garland pointed to Malenia, Blade of Miquella, as the most challenging boss in *Elden Ring*, mentioning that he was on his seventh playthrough of the game at that moment. Additionally, *The New Yorker* reported that Garland personally handed a 160-page speculative screenplay to FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki in Japan, indicating his deep investment in the source material.

#### Casting Rumors and Set Leaks

As 2025 continued, rumors suggested that Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny, and Ben Whishaw would feature in the film. Confirmations later affirmed that they were indeed part of the cast, alongside Jonathan Pryce, Tom Burke, Havana Rose Liu, Peter Serafinowicz, Sonoya Mizuno, Ruby Cruz, John Hodgkinson, Jefferson Hall, Emma Laird, and Nick Offerman, although their exact roles are still unverified.

Earlier this month, images from the set appeared, shared by a Twitch streamer who found what looked like a replica of the Church of Marika, along with various props. The authenticity of these images was strengthened by further official statements and additional leaks, showcasing major locations from the Lands Between.

#### Confirmed Release Date and Full Cast Reveal

On April 20, it was confirmed that the *Elden Ring* film will premiere in theaters on March 3, 2028. The entire cast was revealed at that time, generating excitement among fans.

#### Set Details and Speculative Plot

Recent leaks from the London set featured notable references to the world of *Elden Ring*. Specifically, items from key locations like Stormveil Castle and Leyndell’s Royal Capital were seen. The appearance of a gallows reminiscent of a crucial scene from the game’s opening cinematic hinted at more profound narrative ties.

Speculation regarding the film’s storyline suggests it will unfold shortly after the 2nd Liurnian War, offering a rich backdrop for romance, conflict, and thematic intricacy. This setting enables the film to delve into significant historical events leading up to the game, appealing to both lore fans and general audiences.

With the leaked photos igniting debates about character portrayals and plot developments, fans are excited to see how Garland will adapt the complex lore of *Elden Ring* into a cinematic format.

In conclusion, while many aspects remain speculative, the details emerging from the production of A24’s *Elden Ring* film provide an intriguing preview of what could become an exciting adaptation of the celebrated game. As news continues to come in, anticipation rises for both franchise enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

I’ve been a fan of dogfighting games since playing Elite with my dad on his old Acorn computer. He’d do the flying and I’d fire the weapons. Maybe that division of labour is to blame for my biggest weakness as a pilot: knowing when to pull out of a strafe. Once I’ve my gunsights on an enemy I’ll continue flying at them with my guns firing until either they explode or I do. In roguelite dogfighter Wind Runners, that cavalier approach is proving my downfall over and over.

The Wind Runners demo popped up on Steam over the weekend and I’ve been trying to complete a single run of its bullet hell dogfighting since then.

Read more

As the holiday week draws to an end, some of us on the east coast of the United States are eagerly anticipating a few inches of snow (and hopefully no rain). I’m likely not the only one excited for a peaceful weekend where I can manage to find an hour or two of enjoyable game time before the year-end celebrations and the rush back to the grindstone in 2026. If you’re seeking suggestions on what to play, here’s what we at *Kotaku* are planning to enjoy this weekend.

## *Cast n Chill*

**Play it on:** PC, Switch (also available on Switch 2 edition)
**Goal:** Capture the mythical King Salmon of Safety Cove

It’s that peculiar, transitional week between Christmas and New Year’s, a period when many of us, myself included, have a strong inclination to do as little as possible. And as if designed specifically for this occasion, *Cast n Chill* has recently come to Switch and Switch 2, allowing me to engage in something when I feel like playing while also *not* playing at all when I genuinely wish to do nothing. You see, *Cast n Chill* is a fishing game featuring an idle mode; if you’re not in the mood to actively play, you can let your little pixel-art fisherman handle the rod and reel independently, catching fish and selling them for cash, enabling you to return to the game with some extra money to spend on new fishing rods, boats, licenses, and the like.

However, what truly makes *Cast n Chill* so enjoyable is, well, how *chill* it feels, regardless of whether you’re actively playing. The landscapes around its various fishing locations are incredibly picturesque and richly detailed, and the natural sounds that accompany your time on these serene lakes and rivers are so calming that hearing them in the background while I sit here at my desk makes me feel as though a small part of me is out there on the water as well. Naturally, time spent with *Cast n Chill* counts as screen time, but it also serves as a genuine reminder that there’s an entire world of beautiful forests, crystal-clear lakes, and vast starry skies to appreciate, and that sometimes simply soaking in that beauty is a more worthwhile use of our time than anything that might appear on a productivity spreadsheet. – Carolyn Petit

## *Unbeatable*

**Play it on:** PC, PS5, Xbox
**Goal:** Give it another opportunity

As the end-of-year season concludes, I’m reflecting on a game I played and quickly became disillusioned with: *Unbeatable*. The opening hours of this anime-inspired rhythm game seemed badly tutorialized and its music failed to captivate me, but now that I have some free time, I feel that if any game I tried this year warranted a kind second chance, it would be this one. I have a passion for rhythm games, committing crimes, and *Unbeatable*’s punk vibe. Even if its narrative doesn’t ultimately engage me, there’s likely much enjoyment to be had in its arcade mode if I can discover songs that connect with me. What else am I going to do this holiday weekend? – Kenneth Shepard

## *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered*

**Play it on:** Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
**Goal:** Relish some nostalgic RPG vibes

*The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion,* Bethesda’s expansive open-world RPG from the Xbox 360 generation, will always be a Christmas game for me. I have vivid recollections of playing it on my Xbox 360 next to a crackling fireplace after tearing open my presents from Santa. So, I felt compelled on Christmas Eve to download this year’s remastered version of *Oblivion* and dive back in. I doubt I’ll complete this playthrough—I rarely finish Bethesda RPGs despite going back to them repeatedly—but it was delightful to spend a few hours back in Cyrodil during the holidays. – Zack Zwiezen

## *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*

**Play it on:** PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
**Current Goal:** Escape the Trosky zone

I purchased *Kingdom Come 2* for PS5 during Black Friday when it was half price, driven by a nagging suspicion that it might secretly be the best game of 2025, or at least among the top five. I didn’t engage much with the first game due to boredom and bugs and never revisited it. However, several Very Smart People™ in my life persuaded me that the sequel fulfills the promise of the original and could be the best first-person immersive sim RPG available. So far, I have no reason to doubt them, but I’m still in the early stages. I’m currently preparing for the