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Conwy Castle is to close for 10 days next month for the shooting of a major feature film. It’s rumoured the movie is being directed by Alex Garland based on a fantasy world developed by Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin.
London-based company, Katana Films has been working with Conwy Council and heritage body Cadw to gain access to the medieval masterpiece. Alex Garland, a director at Katana Films, wrote the script for the Elden Ring, an “epic” dark fantasy action film due for release in March 2028.
Only two days of filming are planned at the castle, on May 21-22, amid online speculation it will double either for Castle Morne or Stormveil Castle from Elden Ring. However further closures are required to accommodate preparations and site reinstatement.
Katana Films is also seeking consent to use local car parks for technical and support vehicles. Online, there has been local concern over the closure of parking facilities over the busy Bank Holiday weekend in late May.
In a letter to residents, Katana Films said: “We have been liaising with Cadw and Conwy Council, who are both aware and happy with our plans.
“We would like to thank you in advance, as we appreciate that it is a privilege to film in a residential area and do not take for granted the support we are shown from residents and business owners.”
The Elden Ring film is based on the 2022 video game developed by FromSoftware. George RR Martin, author of A Song of Ice and Fire, developed the fictional world in which the game is set. It ranks among the highest-rated games of all time and is regarded as a “cultural phenomenon”.
Garland, director of 28 Days Later, is a long-time gamer and Elden Ring fan. He wrote a speculative 160-page script for a film based on the game, then pitched it to the game’s publishers, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment.
In May 2025, a live-action adaptation was announced to be in development at the A24 studio. Garland was hired to write and direct the movie. Filming is due to get underway in the UK later this month.
Yesterday morning (Monday, April 20) the full cast list was confirmed. One lead is British actor Kit Connor, star of Netflix teen series Heartstopper who appeared in Garland’s 2025 film Warfare, another A24 production.
Connor will be joined by Ben Whishaw (Black Doves), Cailee Spaeny (Civil War), Tom Burke (Furiosa) and Havana Rose Liu (Tuner).
Preparatory works at Conwy Castle start on May 14 between 7am and 7pm. The castle will remain open but there will be reduced parking at Vicarage Gardens Car Park.
The castle closes on May 15 and will not reopen until Bank Holiday Monday, May 25. During this time, Vicarage Gardens will be available to blue badge holders only.
On May 20, trucks will start arriving at 10pm. To facilitate their arrival, there will be a security presence in Morfa Bach. On the filming days of May 21-22, crews will be present from 6am until 8pm.
Following reinstatement, the castle reopens on May 25. But on May 26 and possibly May 27, there will be “crane access to East Barbican only”.
