Arrowhead Studios Discusses Helldivers 2 Film Project

Summary

• Arrowhead Game Studios' CCO Johan Pilestedt has clarified the studio's role in the upcoming Helldivers 2 movie adaptation, emphasizing that while they are involved, they recognize their limitations in film production and therefore shouldn't have final say.
• Fans are eager for Arrowhead's involvement to ensure the movie remains true to the game's themes and avoid clichéd plotlines like "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe."
• Sony unveiled the Helldivers 2 movie alongside other projects, including a Horizon Zero Dawn adaptation and a Ghost of Tsushima animation, at CES 2025.

Democracy is coming to the silver screen with the announcement of a new live-action Helldivers 2 movie from Sony. Arrowhead Game Studios, the creators of the popular shooter, have clarified their involvement in the project. During CES 2025, Sony also announced adaptations for Horizon Zero Dawn and Ghost of Tsushima, showcasing a robust slate of gaming-to-film projects.

Helldivers 2, the co-op third-person shooter, launched in February 2024 and quickly gained a dedicated following due to its intense combat against Terminids and Automatons, coupled with its humorous camaraderie. As Arrowhead continues to update the game throughout 2025, the studio is also looking ahead to their next project, with CCO Johan Pilestedt welcoming community feedback during the early development stages.

Sony announced that the Helldivers 2 movie is a collaboration between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures, though specifics remain under wraps. Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions, has not disclosed further details. Given the protective nature of the Helldivers community towards the source material, fans have been vocal about wanting Arrowhead's involvement in the movie's development. Pilestedt, who had previously sidestepped the question, finally addressed it on Twitter, confirming Arrowhead's participation but stressing, "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 fans are passionate about maintaining the game's unique tone in the movie. They advocate for Arrowhead's significant involvement to ensure the script and action stay true to the game. One fan on Twitter voiced concerns that producers might deviate from the original material, suggesting ideas like "gamer wakes up in Helldivers universe," which the community strongly opposes. Many believe Arrowhead should have the final say on the movie's script, theme, and aesthetic, with some fans even emphasizing that the Helldivers should never remove their helmets.

While the prospect of a Helldivers 2 movie excites fans, comparisons to the cult classic Starship Troopers are inevitable. The 1997 sci-fi action film, directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 novel, features a similar theme of a militant force battling alien Arachnids. However, fans hope Helldivers 2 will distinguish itself, perhaps by avoiding the trope of insectoid aliens.