Jason Momoa has stepped away from his role in the highly anticipated film Helldivers.
In February, it was revealed that Momoa was set to appear in the live-action movie adaptation of the well-loved third-person shooter game by PlayStation Productions and Sony Pictures. His involvement was announced following his portrayal of Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison in the 2025 blockbuster A Minecraft Movie, which raked in $960 million globally. The Helldivers movie, slated for a November 10, 2027 release, is to be directed by Justin Lin.
According to Deadline, Momoa has now left the project for reasons that remain unclear. Despite his departure, the film’s production is ongoing, with Sony actively looking for a new lead actor. Justin Lin will not only direct but also produce the film under his Perfect Storm Entertainment label, alongside Hutch Parker and PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash.
The original Helldivers game, launched in 2015, features an elite military team dedicated to defending Super Earth against a host of adversaries including alien bugs and cyborgs, while also promoting democracy. Its sequel, Helldivers II, released in 2024, quickly sold over 12 million copies on PS5 and PC within the first four months and has since expanded to XBOX.
Lin, the director of the Helldivers movie, has an impressive resume that includes directing The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, two episodes of True Detective season 2, Star Trek Beyond, and F9: The Fast Saga. His extensive experience with big-name franchises makes him a suitable choice for adapting the game developed by Arrowhead Game Studios.
Meanwhile, Momoa’s schedule remains packed with upcoming major releases including Supergirl, Street Fighter, and Dune: Part Three, all set to hit theaters in the latter part of 2026 and have completed filming. He is also involved in A Minecraft Movie: Squared, currently in production, which may have influenced his decision to exit Helldivers.
Despite Momoa’s exit, Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions continue to push forward with the Helldivers project, building on their successful history of collaborations. These partnerships have previously produced the 2022 film Uncharted, which garnered $407 million worldwide on a $120 million budget, becoming one of the top-grossing video game adaptations ever. Sony and PlayStation have also teamed up on HBO’s acclaimed series The Last of Us and Peacock’s Twisted Metal.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
