Jason Momoa is officially suiting up for another major video game battle. The Aquaman and Dune star has signed on to lead the live-action film adaptation of Helldivers, the hit shooter video game from Arrowhead Game Studios and PlayStation. He will reunite with director Justin Lin, who previously worked with Momoa on Fast X. Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions have already scheduled the movie to land in theaters on November 10, 2027.
The project marks the latest big-screen collaboration between Sony and PlayStation following 2022’s Uncharted, which starred Tom Holland and earned over $407 million globally. With Momoa coming fresh off the massive box office win of A Minecraft Movie—which grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide—Hollywood is betting big on the actor’s ability to turn gaming IP into theatrical gold.
Jason Momoa And Justin Lin Reunite After Fast X For Helldivers
This is not the first time Momoa and Lin have shared a set. Lin served as a co-writer and producer on Fast X, which featured Momoa as the scene-stealing villain Dante Reyes. That role showed a different side of the actor—one that mixed physical intimidation with chaotic, almost playful energy. Industry insiders suggest that range is exactly what Lin wants to tap into for Helldivers.
Lin is best known for directing five installments of the Fast & Furious franchise, including Fast Five and F9. He also directed Star Trek Beyond. His take on Helldivers reportedly focuses on finding the humanity in the characters while building a world with its own mythology. According to French outlet CinéSérie, Lin wants the film to connect with modern audiences by including themes that feel relevant to today, though specific plot details remain under wraps.
Gary Dauberman, the horror specialist behind the screenplays for It and It Chapter Two, as well as the Annabelle films, has written the initial script. His involvement suggests the movie may lean into the intense, sometimes terrifying, tone of fighting overwhelming alien forces.
The Helldivers Video Game Background Explained
For those who have not played the game, Helldivers takes place in a dystopian future where the citizens of Super Earth are under constant attack from giant alien bugs and robots. Players take on the role of an elite soldier—a Helldiver—sent behind enemy lines to complete missions, spread managed democracy, and survive overwhelming odds.
The original game launched in 2015 and developed a loyal cult following. But it was the sequel, Helldivers 2, released in May 2024, that turned the franchise into a global phenomenon. The game sold 12 million copies in its first 12 weeks and became one of the fastest-selling PlayStation titles of all time. By early 2026, sales reportedly crossed 20 million copies, with revenue exceeding $700 million.
The game is widely compared to the cult classic film Starship Troopers. Both share a satirical take on military propaganda and feature soldiers getting wiped out in creative, often hilarious, ways. Johan Pilestedt, the game’s original director and designer, has confirmed that Arrowhead Game Studios is involved with the film, though in a limited consulting capacity.
Jason Momoa Is Quietly Becoming Hollywood’s Video Game Movie Star
With Helldivers, Jason Momoa is quietly becoming the face of video game adaptations in Hollywood. He already led A Minecraft Movie, which became a surprise box office heavyweight despite mixed reviews. He is also attached to play Blanka—the green, electricity-shooting Brazilian fighter—in the upcoming Street Fighter reboot, scheduled for release on October 16, 2026.
Adding Helldivers to that roster means Momoa will have starred in three major game adaptations within a span of just over two years. His previous experience with Just Cause rumors, though never materialized, further shows his long-standing interest in the genre.
The actor’s ability to balance massive physical presence with a self-aware sense of humor makes him a natural fit for material that mixes explosive action with satire. In the Helldivers universe, soldiers are celebrated as heroes one moment and accidentally blown up by friendly fire the next. That tone—heroic yet ridiculous—matches the energy Momoa brought to his Fast X performance.
Sony And PlayStation Productions Are Building A Gaming Movie Library
PlayStation Productions has been steadily building a library of film and television adaptations. Uncharted proved there was an audience for big-screen versions of PlayStation franchises, while The Last of Us on HBO became an Emmy-winning critical darling. Twisted Metal on Peacock found success with a comedic, action-heavy tone.
Helldivers sits somewhere in the middle. It has the sci-fi scale of Starship Troopers and the squad-based action of Edge of Tomorrow. Producers include Hutch Parker, Justin Lin for Perfect Storm Entertainment, and Asad Qizilbash for PlayStation Productions.
The film is currently the only major blockbuster scheduled for November 10, 2027. However, it will open in the same month as Steven Spielberg’s Gremlins 3, Disney’s Frozen III, and an untitled project from the directors of Everything Everywhere All At Once. Competition will be fierce, but Sony is betting Momoa’s star power and the game’s massive fanbase will fill seats.
Helldivers Global Theatrical Release Schedule
Sony Pictures plans to roll out Helldivers in multiple territories ahead of the domestic launch. Based on confirmed distribution plans:
France and select European markets: November 8, 2027
United States and Canada: November 10, 2027
United Kingdom: November 10, 2027
Australia and New Zealand: November 11, 2027
India and other Asian territories: November 12, 2027
These dates place the film in the heart of the pre-Thanksgiving corridor, a window known for launching major sci-fi and action tentpoles.
Social Media Reactions To Jason Momoa Casting
Social media lit up following the casting confirmation. On X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit’s r/Helldivers community, reactions ranged from excitement to jokes about Momoa’s gaming habits.
Some fans pointed out that the actor has admitted in interviews he did not grow up playing video games. His mother reportedly encouraged outdoor activities like skateboarding and climbing trees instead. This led to playful demands that he log 100 hours in Helldivers 2 before filming starts.
Others mocked up fake movie posters and imagined how his character might die on screen—a nod to the game’s famously high casualty rate. The fan-made, hour-long Helldivers film created by the YouTube channel Plot Coalition also gained renewed attention following the announcement.
Despite the jokes, the overwhelming sentiment is curiosity and optimism. Gamers are eager to see if Lin and Momoa can capture the chaotic energy that made Helldivers 2 a breakout hit.
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What Is Happening With Helldivers Production Now
Casting is still in its early stages. No other actors have been officially announced, and it remains unclear whether Momoa will play an original character or a version of an existing soldier from the game’s lore. Pre-production is expected to ramp up in late 2026, following Momoa’s commitments to Dune: Part Three, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and Street Fighter.
Dune: Part Three is currently scheduled to begin filming later this year, with Momoa reprising his role as Duncan Idaho. He will also appear as the DC anti-hero Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a role that has generated significant buzz among comic book fans.
Once those projects wrap, Helldivers will become his primary focus. With a release date now locked, Sony is clearly confident in the package they have assembled: a bankable star, an experienced action director, and a video game property with millions of devoted players.
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