Elden Ring movie films at Conwy, Dolbadarn

Cadw closed two of North Wales’ best-known medieval fortresses in May for what it described as “commercial hire activity,” giving the clearest public sign yet of where parts of the live-action *Elden Ring* film are being shot. Cadw’s visitor page for Conwy Castle says the site was shut from May 15 to May 24, 2026, while its page for Dolbadarn Castle says that site is closed from May 21 to May 31, 2026. Bandai Namco Entertainment and A24 announced in May 2025 that writer-director Alex Garland would make a live-action adaptation of FromSoftware’s *Elden Ring*. Bandai Namco said in an April 2026 update that the film was in production, would be shot for IMAX and was scheduled for release on March 3, 2028. (cadw.gov.wales) ### Why are Conwy Castle and Dolbadarn Castle closed? Cadw’s Conwy Castle page says “commercial hire activity” is taking place from Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 24, inclusive, and that the castle is closed during that period. The page does not name the production. Cadw’s Dolbadarn Castle page gives a more direct filming notice. It says commercial hire activity is due to take place from Thursday, May 21, to Sunday, May 31, inclusive, and also states that “filming is due to take place” during that period. (en.bandainamcoent.eu) ### How does this connect to the Elden Ring movie? Bandai Namco’s official announcement from May 2025 says the company and A24 were collaborating on a live-action *Elden Ring* adaptation with Garland attached as writer and director. (cadw.gov.wales) That establishes the film project itself, but the company’s announcement did not identify filming locations at the time. (cadw.gov.wales) Histories and Castles reported that the Welsh closures were tied to the *Elden Ring* movie. Cadw’s notices independently confirm that both castles were unavailable to visitors for commercial filming windows in May. The linkage to *Elden Ring* is therefore supported by the location timing and the ongoing production status, though Cadw’s own site does not name the film. (en.bandainamcoent.eu) ### What do the official film announcements say about timing? Bandai Namco said on April 20, 2026, that production on the film was underway in spring 2026. The same announcement said the adaptation would be filmed for IMAX and released in theaters on March 3, 2028. (cadw.gov.wales) Variety also reported in April that the film was in production and set for a 2028 release, matching the Bandai Namco announcement. ### Why would these Welsh sites fit an Elden Ring production? Conwy Castle is a walled medieval fortress on the north coast of Wales, and Dolbadarn Castle sits above the Llanberis Pass in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia. (en.bandainamcoent.eu) Cadw markets both as historic castle sites with prominent stone fortifications and mountain or coastal settings. Alex Garland’s film is adapting a fantasy game built around ruined strongholds, battlements and large-scale medieval environments. (variety.com) That visual fit is an inference from the game’s setting and the physical character of the locations, not a description that Cadw or the filmmakers have publicly given. Bandai Namco’s announcement said only that the project adapts *Elden Ring*, a dark fantasy action RPG created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and based on mythology written by George R. (cadw.gov.wales) R. Martin. ### What can visitors expect next? Cadw’s Conwy page says the castle closure runs through May 24, 2026, and its Dolbadarn page says the closure runs through May 31, 2026. Those pages are the public source for reopening status and any further access notices. Bandai Namco’s most recent official milestone is the March 3, 2028 theatrical release date. (en.bandainamcoent.eu) Until the companies identify locations directly, Cadw’s site notices and Bandai Namco’s production updates remain the clearest public markers for the next steps involving the Welsh shoot and the film’s rollout. (en.bandainamcoent.eu) (cadw.gov.wales)