Summary
- Arrowhead Game Studios CCO Johan Pilestedt discussed the studio's role in the upcoming Helldivers 2 movie adaptation, emphasizing that "We are not Hollywood people, and we don’t know what it takes to make a movie...and therefore we don’t, and shouldn’t, have final say."
- Fans are eager for Arrowhead's involvement to ensure the movie remains true to the game's themes, rejecting ideas like "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe."
- Sony unveiled the Helldivers 2 movie, along with a Horizon Zero Dawn adaptation and a Ghost of Tsushima animation, at CES 2025.
Democracy is set to hit the big screen with the announcement of a new live-action Helldivers 2 movie from Sony, in collaboration with Arrowhead Game Studios, the creators of the popular shooter. During CES 2025, Sony also revealed plans for a Horizon Zero Dawn movie and a Ghost of Tsushima animation, showcasing their commitment to expanding their gaming franchises into other media.
Helldivers 2, a co-op third-person shooter, launched in February 2024 and quickly gained a following due to its intense battles against Terminids and Automatons, combined with its humorous camaraderie. As Arrowhead looks to the future, they are already working on a successor to Helldivers 2. With ongoing updates planned for 2025 on Super Earth, CCO Johan Pilestedt has expressed openness to community feedback to shape their next project during its early development stages.
Sony announced that the Helldivers 2 movie is a joint effort between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures, though head of PlayStation Productions Asad Qizilbash kept further details under wraps. Given the protective nature of the Helldivers community towards the source material, fans have been vocal about wanting Arrowhead's involvement in the movie's development. Pilestedt addressed these concerns on Twitter, admitting he had been avoiding the question but confirming Arrowhead's involvement while reiterating their lack of expertise in filmmaking.
Helldivers 2 Dev Touches on Arrowhead's Involvement in Movie Adaptation
The Helldivers community is passionate about maintaining the game's unique tone in the movie adaptation. Fans are keen on Arrowhead's active participation to ensure the script and action stay true to the game. A Twitter user voiced concerns about producers and writers potentially altering the story to suit their vision, specifically opposing the idea of a "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe" plot. Many fans believe Arrowhead should have the final say on the script, theme, and aesthetic, with one fan emphasizing the importance of the Helldivers never removing their helmets.
While the prospect of a Helldivers 2 movie promises an action-packed cinematic experience, comparisons to the cult classic Starship Troopers have surfaced. Directed by Paul Verhoeven in 1997 and based on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 novel, Starship Troopers follows a militant Earth-based United Citizen Federation at war with alien Arachnids. Gamers hope the Helldivers 2 movie will distinguish itself from Starship Troopers, perhaps by avoiding the trope of insectoid aliens.
