Summary

• Arrowhead Game Studios CCO Johan Pilestedt has clarified the studio's role in the upcoming Helldivers 2 movie adaptation, stating, “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 stays true to the game's themes, expressing concerns about clichéd plotlines such as "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe."
• Sony revealed plans for a Helldivers 2 movie, a Horizon Zero Dawn adaptation, and a Ghost of Tsushima animation at CES 2025.

The world of Helldivers is set to expand beyond the gaming screen with the announcement of a new live-action movie based on Helldivers 2. Sony, during CES 2025, unveiled this project alongside adaptations for Horizon Zero Dawn and an animated series for Ghost of Tsushima.

Helldivers 2, a co-op third-person shooter released in February 2024, quickly gained popularity due to its intense combat against Terminids and Automatons, coupled with its humorous camaraderie. As Arrowhead Game Studios continues to support Helldivers 2 with updates throughout 2025, they are also laying the groundwork for their next project. CCO Johan Pilestedt emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping their future endeavors.

Sony's announcement highlighted that the Helldivers 2 movie will be a joint effort between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures. However, details remain scarce as Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions, kept further information under wraps. The Helldivers community, deeply invested in the source material, has been vocal about Arrowhead's involvement in the movie's development. Responding to fan inquiries on Twitter, Pilestedt confirmed the studio's participation but reiterated their limitations in the film industry, stating, “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.”

Helldivers 2 Dev Touches on Arrowhead's Involvement in Movie Adaptation

The Helldivers fanbase is passionate about maintaining the game's tone in the movie adaptation. They believe Arrowhead's involvement is crucial for ensuring the script and action remain faithful to the original game. Fans have expressed concerns about the movie deviating too far from the source material, with one Twitter user specifically mentioning a desire to avoid clichéd plots like "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe." Many fans advocate for Arrowhead to have significant influence over the script, theme, and aesthetic, with some even suggesting that the Helldivers should never remove their helmets.

While the prospect of a Helldivers 2 movie promises thrilling action, comparisons to the cult classic Starship Troopers are inevitable. Released in 1997, Starship Troopers, directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 novel, features a militant Earth-based United Citizen Federation engaged in an interstellar war against alien Arachnids. Fans of Helldivers 2 hope the movie will distinguish itself from Starship Troopers, perhaps by steering clear of the common trope of alien insects.