In 2022, Sony announced plans for a live-action Horizon TV series on Netflix, with Steve Blackman from The Umbrella Academy set to take the lead role. The series quietly collapsed in 2024 following misconduct allegations against its showrunner.
Earlier this year, in January, Sony revealed at its CES presentation that a Horizon Zero Dawn feature film is in development with Columbia Pictures, the same studio responsible for Sony’s Uncharted (2022) and Gran Turismo (2023) adaptations. Now there’s an update: we finally have information on when the Horizon Zero Dawn movie is expected to begin filming and when it is planned to be released.
Horizon Zero Dawn Movie Script Complete, Filming Scheduled for 2026
Amid Sony’s ongoing lawsuit against Tencent over Light of Motiram, which the company calls a “slavish clone” of its Horizon franchise, new information has emerged regarding the long-awaited Horizon Zero Dawn movie.
A legal document shows that Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawn movie has a completed script and is searching for a director. Filming is planned to begin in 2026, with the movie expected to release in 2027. This information comes from Qizilbash’s sworn statement, which was filed yesterday, October 16. Sony already has a script for the Horizon Zero Dawn live-action film and is looking for a director. Filming is planned for 2026 with a 2027 release, following Columbia Pictures and PlayStation Productions’ recent collaborations on Uncharted (2022) and Gran Turismo (2023). The declaration also emphasizes the importance of Aloy, the protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West, to PlayStation’s brand. Qizilbash calls her a “key icon in the anticipated film” and highlights her role as essential “to the flywheel of franchise building.”
The Casting Process Is Ongoing
No actors or showrunners have been officially announced, and the casting process is likely still in progress. The Horizon Zero Dawn film is part of PlayStation Productions’ expanding lineup. Confirmed upcoming projects include Chad Stahelski’s Ghost of Tsushima feature, a Days Gone movie written by Oscar-nominated Sheldon Turner, Amazon’s God of War series, The Last of Us season three on HBO/Max, a Gravity Rush film, a Helldivers 2 movie, and the Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime coming to Crunchyroll.