Sony plans to film Horizon movie in 2026 for 2027 release

Sony has confirmed its live-action Horizon Zero Dawn movie adaptation already has a working script and is actively searching for a director, with plans to begin filming in 2026 for a 2027 theatrical release. The revelation emerged from court documents filed Wednesday as part of Sony's ongoing lawsuit against Tencent over alleged copyright infringement.pushsquare+2

PlayStation Productions head Asad Qizilbash disclosed the production timeline in a sworn declaration, stating the film is being developed in partnership with Columbia Pictures, the same studio behind Sony's successful Uncharted and Gran Turismo adaptations. "We already have a working script and are actively searching for a director, with the goal of shooting the picture in 2026 and releasing it in 2027," Qizilbash said in the October 16 filing.gamingbolt+4

From Netflix Series to Feature Film

The movie represents a significant pivot for the Horizon franchise adaptation. Sony originally planned a Netflix television series in 2022 with The Umbrella Academy showrunner Steve Blackman attached to lead the project. However, the series was quietly canceled in July 2024 following workplace misconduct allegations against Blackman by twelve former colleagues, which he has denied.lavegagames+3

The movie was officially announced at Sony's CES 2025 presentation in January, where Qizilbash teased "Aloy's beloved origin story set in a vibrant, far future world filled with the giant machines, brought to you for the first time on the big screen".ign+1

Competitive 2027 Video Game Movie Landscape

The 2027 release target places the Horizon movie in an increasingly crowded field of video game adaptations. The year is expected to feature Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Nintendo's live-action The Legend of Zelda film, and a sequel to the Minecraft Movie. Sony is also developing multiple other PlayStation properties, including a Helldivers 2 feature film and Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime series for Crunchyroll.thegamer+4

The court filing emerged as Sony seeks to demonstrate Aloy's importance as a "brand symbol" and "key icon" in its legal battle against Tencent over Light of Motiram, which Sony describes as a "slavish clone" of its Horizon franchise. Sony has requested a preliminary injunction hearing for November 20, seeking to block Tencent's pre-release promotion of the game.thegamepost+2