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.
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 works on a follow-up to Helldivers 2, the studio remains committed to incorporating community feedback into the early stages of development, with updates planned throughout 2025 on Super Earth.
Sony announced that the Helldivers 2 movie is a joint effort between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures, though Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions, kept further details under wraps. Given the protective nature of the Helldivers community, fans have been vocal about wanting Arrowhead's involvement in the movie's development. Pilestedt addressed these concerns on Twitter, confirming Arrowhead's participation but clarifying their limited role due to their lack of expertise in filmmaking.
Helldivers 2 Dev Touches on Arrowhead's Involvement in Movie Adaptation
Helldivers fans are passionate about maintaining the game's unique tone in the movie adaptation. They advocate for Arrowhead's significant involvement to ensure the script and action stay true to the source material. A Twitter user voiced concerns about potential deviations by producers and writers, specifically rejecting the idea of a "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe" plot. Many fans believe Arrowhead should have the final say on the movie's script, theme, and aesthetic, with some emphasizing the importance of the Helldivers never removing their helmets.
While the prospect of a Helldivers 2 movie promises thrilling action, comparisons to the cult classic Starship Troopers have surfaced. This 1997 sci-fi film, directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 novel, features a militaristic Earth-based United Citizen Federation at war with alien Arachnids. Fans hope the Helldivers 2 movie will distinguish itself from Starship Troopers, perhaps by avoiding the trope of insectoid aliens.
