Sony just announced a Helldivers 2 film adaptation at CES 2025. Henry Cavill and his Warhammer project have some competition now.

We’ve seen a lot of new video game adaptations in recent years, and Helldivers 2 is next in line. Sony announced the production of a Helldivers film at CES 2025, following the game’s meteoric rise to popularity last year.

Henry Cavill’s Warhammer adaptation getting some competition. | Image Credit: Arrowhead Game Studios

This news comes a few weeks after Henry Cavill’s announcement that his involvement in a Warhammer 40K adaptation with Amazon Prime Video is moving forward. The Warhammer franchise also just got a hit game in 2024 with the success of Space Marine 2. With Space Marine 2 and Helldivers 2 trading blows in the video game industry, will their adaptations do the same?

Henry Cavill’s Warhammer project is getting some competition

The Helldivers adaptation will face a lot of challenges. | Image Credit: Saber Interactive

When Helldivers 2 was released in February 2024 no one would’ve expected it to be the big hit that it was. Upon release, it sold over 12 million copies in just 12 weeks. The game is set in a dystopian future where humanity, united under the fascist Super Earth regime, battles alien factions in the name of “managed democracy.” Inspired by Starship Troopers, the game combines dark humor with chaotic co-op gameplay.

Official:
Helldivers is getting a movie adaptation from Sony Pictures!#Helldivers2 pic.twitter.com/SXachCzIno

— Helldivers 2 Media (@Helldiversmedia) January 7, 2025

Announced during Sony’s CES 2025 press conference, Helldivers 2‘s film adaptation is the latest in a string of successful video game-to-screen transitions. PlayStation Productions head Asad Qizilbash confirmed the collaboration with Sony Pictures, calling the game an “amazingly popular” franchise.

While there are no details outside of the announcement of its existence, the adaptation will most likely aim to retain the satirical edge that has made the game a cult hit. There are a few challenges to video game adaptations though.

Helldivers relies on its gameplay and witty propaganda-style storytelling. Translating these elements into a full-length film will require careful creative direction to capture the essence of the game and adapt its universe for a bigger audience.

Me when they start with the Helldivers 2 opening followed by people watching the tv saying “What a load of crap” pic.twitter.com/Rqi0vfT9nq

— Matthew Sanchez (@Matthew08502981) January 7, 2025

Sony’s decision to adapt Helldivers 2 comes during a golden age of video game adaptations. With the success of titles like The Last of Us on Max and the critically acclaimed Arcane on Netflix, studios have shown they can stay true to their source material while making stories that audiences enjoy and love.

If they release at the same time, we might get another Barbenheimer

The two franchises are both space-themed and will probably have similar visuals. | Image Credit: Arrowhead Game Studios

The stakes are high for Helldivers 2, especially as Sony has yet to reveal key details like the director, cast, or release date. PlayStation Productions has a solid track record with adaptations, but capturing the unique tone of Helldivers 2 will probably be challenging. And then there’s the question of how it’ll compete with Henry Cavill’s upcoming Warhammer 40K adaptation with Amazon Prime Video.

Cavill has made his passion for the Warhammer 40K universe known on many occasions and his project with Amazon is a dream come true for him. And with him acting as both star and executive producer, we can expect it to reflect his passion and ours. The success of Prime Video’s Secret Level episode featuring Warhammer 40K also highlighted the franchise’s cinematic potential.

The potential rivalry between Helldivers 2 and Warhammer 40K is in their shared appeal to sci-fi fans. Both universes are vast, richly detailed worlds filled with intricate lore, complex factions, and relentless warfare. But where Warhammer 40K delves into themes of faith, corruption, and existential dread, Helldivers 2 approaches its dystopian narrative with sharp satire and explosive action.

What are your expectations from these two adaptations? Let us know in the comments!