First Set Footage Drops as ‘Elden Ring’ Movie Filming Begins at Conwy Castle
Filming has officially commenced at Conwy Castle for a new feature film project, with production crews on location over May 21 and 22. Local reports and information from Newsquest indicate that the shoot is being managed by the London-based company Katana Films Ltd, which is overseeing all filming activities at the historic site.
The production has garnered significant attention, although the studio has not confirmed specific details about the project. Katana Films has stated that it cannot disclose particular information about the film at this time. Crew members on site also refrained from providing details when approached by reporters.
Nevertheless, industry insiders speculate that the project may be associated with filmmaker Alex Garland, known for acclaimed films like ‘Ex Machina’ and ‘Annihilation.’ There is also increasing speculation that the shoot is tied to a live-action adaptation of the popular video game ‘Elden Ring.’
The filming setup at Conwy Castle has been extensive. Production trucks arrived in the area ahead of time, and nearby locations such as Vicarage Gardens Car Park were closed to facilitate filming operations. The castle itself was closed to the public starting May 15 after preparation work began on May 14.
@mightbeliber Saw the Elden ring movie filming today #eldenring #eldenringmovie #fromsoftware #darksouls #eldenringhype ♬ Elden Ring Main Theme – Kevin Grim
According to letters sent by Katana Films, the castle closure was necessary to allow for preparation, filming, and subsequent restoration work. The company also clarified that local parking areas were needed to accommodate technical equipment and crew vehicles.
“The castle will be closed to facilitate the prep, shoot, and reinstatement,” the company stated in its letter, as reported by local media. “We will also be requesting the use of local car parks to facilitate our technical vehicles and wider filming footprint.”
Filming schedules indicate that crews are working long hours on site, from early morning until evening. After filming wraps on May 22, the castle will remain closed for additional “reinstatement days” on May 23 and 24. During this time, access to nearby parking will be limited, with some exceptions for blue badge holders. The site is expected to reopen to the public on May 25, although some restricted filming access may continue afterward if necessary.
Katana Films has also coordinated with local authorities, including Cadw and Conwy Council, to manage the impact on the area. In a statement shared through correspondence, the company expressed gratitude to residents for their cooperation.
“We have been liaising with Cadw and Conwy Council, who are both aware and happy with our plans,” the company said. “We would like to thank you in advance, as we appreciate that it is a privilege to film in a residential area and do not take for granted the support we are shown from residents and business owners.”
While no official confirmation has been made regarding the film’s title or storyline, speculation continues to mount that the project could be an adaptation of ‘Elden Ring.’ The game, developed by FromSoftware, is renowned for its dark fantasy world and expansive storytelling, making it a strong candidate for a major film adaptation.
The film is also rumored to be backed by A24, with a substantial production budget and an extensive filming schedule across multiple locations in the United Kingdom and beyond.
Casting reports linked to the project include actors such as Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Ben Whishaw, and others, although the studio has not publicly confirmed full details.
For now, the production remains tightly controlled, with little official information released. Still, the visible filming activity at Conwy Castle has significantly fueled expectations that a major fantasy film is currently in the works, potentially one of the most ambitious game adaptations in recent years.
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