Alan Ritchson in talks to lead Sony's Helldivers after Jason Momoa exit
Alan Ritchson is in talks to star in Sony Pictures' Helldivers film after Jason Momoa left the project, with Justin Lin on board to direct, Deadline reported on 18 September 2026. The film is expected to reach theatres on 10 November 2027. The date is set.
If his deal closes, Ritchson would play one of the helldivers, the elite fighters at the centre of the story, according to Deadline. In talks means no contract has been signed yet. Momoa exited before Ritchson entered discussions as his potential replacement.
Momoa had become attached to the project at the top of the year before leaving in early June, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Sources cited by the trade attributed his departure to creative differences. That attribution has not been stated as fact by the studio.
Behind the camera, Lin is also producing through his Perfect Storm Entertainment banner alongside Hutch Parker and PlayStation Productions' Asad Qizilbash, Deadline reported. PlayStation Productions is Sony's arm for turning its video games into films and television. Gary Dauberman wrote the initial script, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film is based on the video game franchise from Arrowhead Game Studios, Deadline reported. The games centre on a squad of elite shock troopers defending the fictional planet Super Earth from alien attackers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It is a team story about soldiers, not a lone hero.
The games have a large built-in audience. Helldivers 2 sold more than 12 million units across PlayStation 5 and PC in the first four months after its 2024 launch, Deadline reported. The Hollywood Reporter put the figure as collective sales of more than 12 million units for the 2015 original and its sequel.
Sony first announced the adaptation at CES in 2025 and teased it again during its CinemaCon presentation earlier this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. CinemaCon is the annual gathering where studios show theatre owners their coming slate. That path from tech-show announcement to release date is typical for game adaptations.
For fans, this means the lead role is still not final. Taking the part would be Ritchson's first time headlining a theatrical studio feature, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Until a deal closes, the casting remains in talks.
