Jason Momoa is departing the upcoming Helldivers movie, though the film itself remains firmly in motion. Sources say the actor is leaving PlayStation Productions and Sony Pictures’ adaptation of the video game franchise, with no reason currently known for the exit.
Justin Lin is still attached to direct, and Sony has already shifted its attention to finding a new lead. Gary Dauberman, whose credits include It and Until Dawn, wrote the script, and the movie remains dated for a theatrical release on Nov. 10, 2027.
The adaptation draws from Arrowhead Game Studios’ sci-fi action series, beginning with the original Helldivers, which launched in 2015. The property follows an elite military unit tasked with defending Super Earth from overwhelming alien threats, framing its action with a blend of straight-faced war spectacle and knowingly exaggerated propaganda.
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That setup became an even bigger commercial force with Helldivers 2, which turned the franchise into a breakout success. In the sequel, players are once again dropped into brutal cooperative combat as soldiers spreading peace, liberty and “Managed Democracy” with absurdly oversized firepower. Across the original game and its follow-up, the series has sold more than 12 million units, giving Sony a strong foundation for a large-scale screen version.
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The studio has been building toward the movie for some time. Sony first announced the adaptation at CES last year, then teased it again during its CinemaCon presentation earlier this year, signaling that Helldivers is part of the company’s broader effort to turn gaming hits into major film and television properties.
Lin is producing alongside Hutch Parker and PlayStation Productions head Asad Qizilbash, with Lin producing through Perfect Storm Entertainment. The filmmaker is best known for multiple entries in the Fast & Furious franchise, and most recently directed 2025’s Last Days.
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Momoa’s departure comes during an especially packed stretch in his movie schedule. This year he appears as Lobo opposite Milly Alcock in Warner Bros.’ Supergirl, and he is also part of Street Fighter and Dune: Part Three. His 2027 slate includes A Minecraft Movie Squared and Animal Friends with Ryan Reynolds.
Plot specifics for Helldivers are still being kept under wraps, but Sony has already shown it knows how to mine value from game-based adaptations. The company’s previous projects include Uncharted, Peacock’s Twisted Metal, and HBO’s acclaimed The Last of Us. With Momoa now out of the picture, the next major move will be finding the actor who leads Sony’s march onto Super Earth.
