Jason Momoa has signed on to lead Justin Lin’s live-action Helldivers film. While nothing is known about the plot for the video game adaptation, Sony Pictures has the film set to release November 10, 2027 in theaters. Though both Lin and Momoa have been involved in the Fast & Furious franchise, this marks their first direct collaboration.
A screenshot from Helldivers 2 (2024), Arrowhead Studios
READ: From The Lion King to Wish: How Disney Lost Its Philosophical Soul
Unlike many straightforward sci-fi shooters, Helldivers is a satirical take on militaristic propaganda, and the blend of action and comedy appears to align with Momoa’s action-heavy, if self-aware, screen persona. The franchise has often been compared to the cult-classic Starship Troopers, another sci-fi story that pairs explosive action with pointed satire — prompting some to question whether Helldivers needs a big-screen adaptation at all.
Changing Perceptions
Helldivers will be based on the popular video game franchise from Arrowhead Game Studios. The first game was released in 2015, but the series exploded in popularity with 2024’s Helldivers 2, which has sold over 12 million units to date. In the game, players control the Helldivers, an elite group of soldiers battling an alien invasion of the fictional Super Earth.
A screenshot from Helldivers 2 (2024), Arrowhead Game Studios
READ: Greta Gerwig Narnia Editor Hints They’re Disregarding Source Material — “We’re Doing Our Own Take”
Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions worked together on the 2022 Uncharted adaptation. Despite lukewarm fan reception, Uncharted earned $407 million globally and ranked among the top 10 highest-grossing video game adaptations.
Once considered box office poison, video game movies have recently enjoyed a string of hits that are changing that perception.
Momoa and Video Game Movie Trends
Helldivers will be the third video game movie for Momoa, who was in 2025’s A Minecraft Movie and will be in this summer’s Street Fighter film. Momoa, of course, headlined the Aquaman films before DC decided to conclude the DC Cinematic Universe. While Momoa will appear in Supergirl as the anti-hero Lobo, his move into more video game roles suggests a larger industry shift.
Jason Momoa as Lobo in the Supergirl Trailer – YouTube, DC
Reactions online have been mixed. Some Helldivers fans have expressed “Momoa fatigue,” or challenged his ability to play a military man. They also note that Helldivers lacks a traditional protagonist with a defined character arc, with gameplay centered on chaotic multiplayer action.
Star as who? There isn’t a John Helldiver, who would he even play? Not to even mention this hippie looking MFer doesn’t give me Jarhead Military Man vibes ever, not even in Dune did he pull it off. pic.twitter.com/zIz5WmqVVz
— Captain Haruno (@Captain_Haruno) February 11, 2026
Director Lin has admitted that he is not a gamer. While Lin’s outsider perspective could allow for a more broadly appealing cinematic story, it may also make it harder to capture the nuances that fans love about the game’s tone and mechanics. Still, his track record with character-driven action films could give him an edge in adapting a franchise that lacks a singular protagonist. Given the franchise’s satirical edge, striking the right balance between satire and blockbuster spectacle may prove difficult—even with a popular star like Momoa in the lead.
A screenshot from Helldivers 2 (2024), Arrowhead Game Studios
READ: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Falls Short of Previous Films – Will James Cameron Make More?
As video game adaptations like Helldivers are poised to become Hollywood’s new go-to genre, fans can expect to see more high-profile actors like Momoa appearing in multiple franchises. Whether Helldivers becomes a faithful adaptation or a broader sci-fi spectacle may depend on how successfully Lin and Momoa capture the franchise’s chaotic, satirical spirit, without alienating the mainstream audience Sony is targeting.
How do you feel about Jason Momoa starring in the Helldivers movie? Sound off in the comments!
UP NEXT: ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Has the Lowest Budget of Any Disney Star Wars Movie
Mamoa is turning into another Pe(r)do Pascal. You know who would be a better fit? Someone like Cavil, who has proven he can put a helmet on the right way.
If this goes the way I expect, guys won’t want to see it because they can’t see Mamoa as any sort of radical militaristic person. And if they shave and give him a high n’ tight so he at least looks like real soldier the ladies won’t wanna see it.
It is too bad because the world could use another Starship Troopers (movie, not book – if they touch the book and f-it up, there will be hell to pay).
Mamoa isn’t the new Rock. He has a fair weather audience and barely any hits under his belt.