Arrowhead Studios Discusses Helldivers 2 Movie Plans

Summary

• Arrowhead Game Studios CCO Johan Pilestedt discussed the studio's role in the upcoming Helldivers 2 movie adaptation, emphasizing, "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 hopeful that Arrowhead's involvement will ensure the movie remains true to the game’s core themes, rejecting clichéd plot ideas such as "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe."
• Sony unveiled the Helldivers 2 movie alongside a Horizon Zero Dawn movie and a Ghost of Tsushima animation at CES 2025.

The cinematic adaptation of Helldivers 2, announced by Sony, is set to bring the thrilling world of this popular co-op third-person shooter to the big screen. Arrowhead Game Studios, the creators of the game, have confirmed their involvement in the project. During CES 2025, Sony also revealed plans for a Horizon Zero Dawn film and a Ghost of Tsushima animated series, signaling a robust expansion of their gaming IPs into other media.

Since its launch in February 2024, Helldivers 2 has captivated players with its intense battles against Terminids and Automatons, coupled with its humorous camaraderie. As Arrowhead continues to develop the game with updates throughout 2025, CCO Johan Pilestedt has expressed openness to community feedback for shaping future projects.

The Helldivers 2 movie is a joint venture between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures, though specifics remain under wraps, as noted by Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions. The Helldivers community, protective of the game’s essence, has been vocal about wanting Arrowhead's significant involvement to preserve the source material's integrity. Pilestedt, who initially avoided the topic, finally clarified on Twitter that while Arrowhead would participate, they would not hold the final say due to their lack of expertise in filmmaking.

The fanbase is particularly keen on ensuring the movie captures the right tone and remains faithful to the game's script and action sequences. Suggestions like a "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe" have been firmly rejected by the community, who believe Arrowhead should have substantial influence over the script, themes, and aesthetics. One fan even highlighted the importance of maintaining the characters' anonymity by never removing their helmets.

While the Helldivers 2 movie promises an action-packed cinematic experience, it inevitably draws comparisons to the 1997 cult classic, Starship Troopers. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on Robert A. Heinlein’s novel, the film features a militaristic Earth-based society at war with alien Arachnids. Fans of Helldivers 2 are eager for the movie to distinguish itself, perhaps by moving away from the familiar trope of insectoid aliens.