First Set Footage Drops as ‘Elden Ring’ Movie Starts Filming at Conwy Castle

Filming has officially started at Conwy Castle for a new feature film project, with production crews working on location over May 21 and 22. According to local reports and information shared by Newsquest, the shoot is being managed by the London-based company Katana Films Ltd, which is overseeing all filming activity at the historic site.

The production has attracted a lot of attention, even though the studio has not confirmed details about the project. Katana Films has said it cannot share specific information about the film at this time. Crew members on location also did not give any details when asked by reporters.

However, industry sources believe the project may be linked to filmmaker Alex Garland, known for movies like “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation.” There is also growing speculation that the shoot is connected 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 support 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 later restoration work. The company also explained that local parking areas were needed to support 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 show that crews are working long days 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 period, 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 needed.

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 thanked 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 about the film’s title or story, speculation continues to grow that the project could be an adaptation of Elden Ring. The game, developed by FromSoftware, is known for its dark fantasy world and large-scale storytelling, making it a strong candidate for a major film adaptation.

The film is also rumored to be backed by A24, with a large production budget and a long 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 confirmed full details publicly.

For now, the production remains tightly controlled, with little official information released. Still, the visible filming activity at Conwy Castle has strongly fueled expectations that a major fantasy film is currently in the works, possibly one of the most ambitious game adaptations in recent years.

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