Helldivers 2 Developers 'Don't, and Shouldn't, Have Final Say' on the Upcoming Movie

Sony's CES 2025 showcase surprised attendees with several video game adaptations, including a confirmed film based on the popular PlayStation game, Helldivers 2.

This cinematic venture is a joint effort between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures. While specifics remain scarce, Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions, made the announcement at CES, expressing excitement about bringing the game to the big screen. He stated, "Looking ahead to what might come next, I'm excited to announce we are working with Sony Pictures on developing a film adaptation of our amazingly popular PlayStation game Helldivers 2."

Helldivers 2, developed by Arrowhead, draws significant inspiration from the cult classic Starship Troopers, depicting futuristic soldiers defending a totalitarian regime against alien foes – Automatons and Terminids – while upholding the principles of "Managed Democracy."

Although many questions surrounding the film's direction remain unanswered, Arrowhead's CCO, Johan Pilestedt, addressed fan concerns regarding the developer's involvement. He confirmed Arrowhead will contribute, clarifying that while they won't have final creative control, their input is intended to ensure faithfulness to the game's essence. Pilestedt explained, “I've been dodging this question…The short answer is yes. The long answer is that we'll see. 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.”

The choice of Helldivers for adaptation, especially considering the existing Starship Troopers franchise, is intriguing. The project appears to be in its early stages, suggesting significant time may pass before further details emerge.

Helldivers 2's remarkable success, achieving 12 million sales within 12 weeks, solidifies its position as the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever. Its popularity has recently surged following the release of the highly anticipated Illuminate update, introducing a third playable faction.

Sony's CES 2025 presentation also revealed a Horizon Zero Dawn film adaptation and a Ghost of Tsushima anime series, demonstrating the company's commitment to expanding its video game properties into other media. This follows the success of HBO's The Last of Us, with Season 2 slated for an April release.