Jason Momoa has parted ways with Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions’ upcoming film adaptation of the video game franchise ‘Helldivers’. The reason for his exit has not been disclosed. The project remains active and the studio is already looking for a new lead actor.
Momoa’s casting was announced in February 2026. He was set to headline the film directed by Justin Lin. In addition to Lin directing and producing through his Perfect Storm Entertainment banner, Hutch Parker is producing alongside PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash. Gary Dauberman wrote the screenplay.
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Why Momoa was a fit
Momoa had been building a run of video game adaptations. After starring in the 2025 ‘Minecraft’ film and the upcoming ‘Street Fighter’ adaptation, ‘Helldivers’ was set to be his third video game movie in three years. ‘A Minecraft Movie’ grossed $960 million worldwide. His action credentials and ability to carry big-budget studio productions made him an obvious choice for the project.
The director’s approach
Justin Lin is best known for directing several entries in the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, as well as ‘Star Trek Beyond’. When reporting on the initial announcement, ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ noted that Lin is not a gamer and leaned into that as a strength when pitching his take on the material.
About the game
‘Helldivers’ is a cooperative, twin-stick shooter game that debuted in 2015. As part of an elite unit, players work together to protect a fictional planet called Super Earth and defeat alien threats in an intergalactic war. The sequel, ‘Helldivers 2’, sold more than 12 million units across PS5 and PC in the first four months after its 2024 launch and has since expanded to Xbox. The franchise has often been compared to ‘Starship Troopers’ for its satirical tone and focus on teamwork and military absurdity.
Sony’s track record with PlayStation adaptations
Sony and PlayStation Productions have collaborated on several projects before this one. Their 2022 adaptation of ‘Uncharted’, starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, earned $407 million globally. On television, the two companies have worked together on Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ and the Emmy-winning HBO series ‘The Last of Us’.
Momoa’s upcoming projects
Despite his exit from ‘Helldivers’, Momoa has a busy slate ahead. He has three major films still coming in 2026, including ‘Supergirl’, ‘Street Fighter’, and ‘Dune: Part Three’, all of which have finished filming. He is set to make his DCU debut as Lobo in ‘Supergirl’ later this month.