Alright movie buffs and fantasy fans get hyped! Dave Bautista is ditching the Guardians of the Galaxy crew for something totally different: a gritty action fantasy flick called In the Lost Lands . And guess what? It is based on a short story by the one and only George R.R. Martin the mastermind behind Game of Thrones. This is not your average fairytale folks buckle up!
George R.R. Martin Himself Praises 'In the Lost Lands': Says it Nails His Voice Better Than Ever Before!
We all know George R.R. Martin can be pretty picky especially when it comes to adaptations of his work cough House of the Dragon cough. But get this he is actually singing praises for In the Lost Lands! Director Paul W.S. Anderson (yes the Resident Evil guy) was understandably nervous showing Martin the movie in his own private theater. Turns out he had nothing to worry about.
Martin apparently loved it! Anderson revealed that the legendary author said the movie "Captured his voice better than anyone had in an adaptation" before. That is HUGE praise coming from Martin himself. It sounds like Anderson really nailed the tone and spirit of Martin's story. This is definitely something to get excited about if you are a fan of Martin's brand of fantasy.
Witches Hunters and Bone-Crunching Violence: What to Expect From This R-Rated Adult Fairytale
So what exactly is In the Lost Lands all about? Think adult fairytale but with a serious edge. Milla Jovovich (another Resident Evil alum) stars as Gray Alys a powerful and feared sorceress. Dave Bautista plays Boyce a drifter who becomes her guide. They team up for a perilous journey into the "Lost Lands" a visually striking and dangerous landscape to find a magical artifact for a queen.
Director Anderson describes it as an "adult fairytale with bone-crunching violence and horrific surprises". Sounds intense right? He also mentioned it is visually different from his past films and really embraces the "mythic fairytale quality" but with an R-rating. So expect some gore some shocks and definitely not a kid-friendly adventure. This is Martin's world after all things are rarely sunshine and rainbows.
From Westeros to the Wasteland: How In the Lost Lands Could Be Your Next Fantasy Obsession
In the Lost Lands is based on a short story Martin wrote way back in 1982. It is not as well-known as Game of Thrones but it sounds like Anderson's movie could bring it to a whole new audience. If the movie is a hit and Martin is happy who knows maybe we will even get more stories in this world. Anderson himself is hoping Martin might be inspired to write more "Gray Alys stories".
Could In the Lost Lands become the Next big fantasy franchise? It's possible! For Anderson and Jovovich it could even be their next big thing after the long-running Resident Evil movie series which ended eight years ago. Those Resident Evil movies might not have been critical darlings but they built a huge fanbase and made over $1.2 billion worldwide. In the Lost Lands has the potential to tap into a similar audience especially with the added appeal of George R.R. Martin's name and Bautista and Jovovich leading the charge.
Mark Your Calendars: In the Lost Lands Release Date Rating and More Need-to-Know Details
Ready to venture into the Lost Lands? Here's what you need to know:
- Release Date: March 7 2025 in US theaters UK cinemas on March 14 2025.
- Rating: R (for violence) - Definitely not for the faint of heart!
- Runtime: 101 minutes (1 hour 41 minutes) - Nice and concise no epic three-hour runtime here.
- Stars: Milla Jovovich (Gray Alys) Dave Bautista (Boyce) Arly Jover Amara Okereke and more.
- Director: Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil franchise Alien vs. Predator)
- Based on: George R.R. Martin's short story "In the Lost Lands"
- Genre: Action Adventure Fantasy Adult Fairytale Steampunk elements Post-apocalyptic vibes
- Filming Location: Poland - Specifically Alvernia Studios.
Get Ready for a Wild Ride: In the Lost Lands Trailer Hints at Action Magic and a Hellish Journey
If you have not seen the trailer for In the Lost Lands yet definitely check it out. It sets the stage for a dark and gritty world full of danger and strange creatures. Bautista's character Boyce is introduced as this hardened drifter who gets pulled into a quest by Jovovich's mysterious sorceress Gray Alys.
The trailer teases a chase for a magical artifact battles with both human enemies and demonic beings and plenty of sword-wielding action. It looks visually striking with a kind of steampunk-inspired post-apocalyptic feel. Think deserts desolate landscapes and a world where survival is tough.
Bautista as Boyce seems like a classic gruff anti-hero type and Jovovich as Gray Alys is giving off serious powerful witch vibes. Their unlikely partnership is at the heart of the story and it looks like they will have to rely on each other to survive the treacherous Lost Lands. If you are looking for a fantasy movie that's a bit darker edgier and definitely not your typical Disney fairytale In the Lost Lands could be right up your alley.