The Lord Of The Rings Meets A Song Of Ice And Fire In The Biggest Fantasy Event Of The Decade

Published Aug 20, 2026, 9:45 PM EDT Angel Shaw is a Lead Writer and Critic on ScreenRant's TV team, covering new-release and classic TV shows across all major streaming platforms. She has been a writer with ScreenRant since 2022 and specializes in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy. Angel holds a bachelor's degree in language interpreting and is passionate about all things culture and communication—especially in how it relates to popular media throughout history (from Shakespeare to Friends to Game of Thrones). The heart of The Lord of the Rings will meet the soul of A Song of Ice and Fire in an upcoming fantasy film with nothing but potential. Of course, in this genre, it really doesn't get any bigger than J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin. It's been nearly a century since the world of Middle-earth was first painted across the pages of The Hobbit, yet The Lord of the Rings remains one of the most recognized fantasy franchises of all time. Then there is Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, which revolutionized the genre as the source for HBO's global phenomenon, Game of Thrones. It stands to reason that anything that sits within the same creative landscape as these projects would be nearly as spectacular, so it's only natural that the entertainment industry has become saturated with whimsical yet gritty high-fantasy books, movies, TV shows, and video games. Success is rare, and projects that are anywhere near as resonant as The Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones are even more so. One of the few releases in recent years that can undeniably be held to that standard is the 2022 action role-playing video game Elden Ring. Just a few years after its initial release, Elden Ring is already considered one of the greatest video games of all time. In truth, this should be no big surprise, since George R.R. Martin himself served as a co-writer on the game alongside director Hidetaka Miyazaki. The A Song of Ice and Fire author was tasked with building out the world of Elden Ring, establishing its rich lore, beliefs, and magic systems. This means Martin had to once again turn to Tolkien, the grandfather of high fantasy, for his iconic formula. The evidence of The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire's influence on Elden Ring is hard to miss. There are glowing sacred trees, flawed demigods, a civil war, a ring, and, of course, dragons and kingdoms that have seemingly forgotten their golden years. Video game fans found themselves in possession of a true masterpiece in 2022. Now, before too long, Elden Ring will arrive to a much broader audience in the form of a massive A24 film adaptation directed by Alex Garland and with creative support from both Miyazaki and Martin. Elden Ring Has All The Ingredients For A Massively Successful Fantasy Film Franchise Projects like The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones have kept the fantasy genre in a dominant position within the entertainment industry. However, that doesn't mean that any old project that pops up and shares themes, tropes, and narrative elements with the greats will be a guaranteed success. Still, the upcoming Elden Ring movie has a lot going for it. The Elden Ring movie is expected to hit theaters on March 3, 2028, and will star Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Ben Shishaw, Nick Offerman, Tom Burke, Havana Ros Liu, and more. First and foremost, the success of the original video game shouldn't be ignored. Tolkien and Martin prove that a great high fantasy absolutely must have a well-developed foundation. The richer the legendarium and the more intricate the constructed history, the more immersive the fantasy world becomes. Elden Ring's success as a video game is proof that it delivered in that regard, and the potential for expansion means existing fans are essentially guaranteed to show up at theaters for a film adaptation. Of course, plenty of video game adaptations fail, even with a die-hard fanbase eager for more. A successful project must appeal to viewers outside the niche, and this is where Elden Ring really has an edge. Not only is this a Tolkien-esque fantasy story, but Martin's direct involvement (writer for the game and producer for the movie) will serve as the true hook. It can be assumed that Elden Ring will be marketed as "from the mind that gave you Game of Thrones," which will naturally pique some interest. Add in a great cast and A24's excellent reputation, and the movie is all set to be a pretty massive deal. Elden Ring Release Date March 3, 2028 Director Alex Garland Writers Alex Garland Producers Allon Reich, Andrew Macdonald, George R. R. Martin, Vince Gerardis, Matthew Penry-Davey Elden Ring is a live-action adaptation of the dark fantasy video game, set in the war-torn world of the Lands Between. Elden Ring Systems 10/10 Released February 25, 2022 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software Elden Ring is a popular game released by From Software, creators of games such as Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Players assume the role of a Tarnished, a being once exiled to the Lands Between and has returned to repair the Elden Ring after the events of "The Shattering." "The Shattering" occurred when the offspring of Queen Marika battled to claim the shards of the Elden Ring, known as Great Runes. Their war has brought lawlessness, destruction, and chaos to the land, and the player will challenge them with the assistance of a Maiden known as Melina as they travel towards the great Erd Tree to face their destiny and to become the one true Elden Lord. Players can tackle the game how they choose and can adventure across realms as they build their character how they want - be it a powerful magic caster or a brutal swordsman - they will have complete control over their build.