Filming for a hotly anticipated fantasy movie got underway in searing heat this morning (Tuesday, May 26). As temperatures hit the mid 20s, the Elden Ring cast donned hats and armour at Dinorwig slate quarry near Llanberis, Gwynedd.
A huge security operation has been launched to keep the curious from the popular visitor attraction. Paths running through the site been closed to the public and vehicles prevented from reaching the Allt Ddu parking area north west of the quarry.
Nearby fields have been hired for parking by the film’s producers. Actors are being ferried to the edge-of-Eryri quarry in a fleet of golf buggies.
“The money being spent here is much greater than the budget for House of Dragon when that was filmed here,” said local resident John Horrigan. “They’ve spent an absolute fortune – I’ve never seen a production as big as this.”
A “village” has been created below the quarry’s viewpoint looking out towards Dolbadarn Castle, another filming location for the $100m-plus movie.
A third is Conwy Castle, where the presence of hawks and handlers all but confirmed it is doubling as iconic Stormveil Castle from the Elden Ring. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter – sent every Tuesday
Filming in Conwy ended on Sunday night and site reinstatement is underway. Witnesses describe seeing actors as medieval soldiers patrolling the castle’s battlements at the weekend. A TikTok of the scenes is below.
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The Elden Ring movie is an A24 production directed by Alex Garland, who helmed 28 Days Later and is a massive fan of the video game now being adapted for film. It’s set in a fantasy world created by George RR Martin of Game of Thrones fame.
Early reports from Dinorwig suggest sets have been built and several locations are being used. John, who lives right next to the quarry, was one of the few people to see what was taking place.
“Actors were wearing armour and carrying swords, and some had Musketeer-type hats,” he said. “They must have been absolutely sweltering!
“Some crew were hiding behind rocks trying to shelter from the sun. Surrounded by slate rock, it’s like a cauldron in there.”
This morning’s filming centred on an a walk-in adit next to an excavated pit(Image: John Horrigan)
John added: “Two people with black bats – a bit like tennis racquets – were wafting smoke into a cave. From where I was, you could hear the sound of swords clashing.
“I could only see part of the village, just four or five buildings. But it’s common knowledge locally that this set is enormous.
“When the quarry footpath was first closed, 25 security staff on 12-hours shifts made sure no one could get in. Now filming has begun, there are many more of them, working around the clock. You can’t get in or out of the quarry.
“One security guy spotted me from a distance taking pictures with my mobile phone. But because the cameras were rolling, he couldn’t shout out a warning. As I knew him, I texted saying I’d be leaving shortly!”
Set design gets underway(Image: John Horrigan)
Heritage body Cadw took the decision to close Conwy and Dolbadarn Castle during filming, despite the loss of visitor income. The History and Castles website explained the irony – and why this will make good sense in the long run.
“The castle that Edward I built to make Welsh resistance impossible is now being used to film a story about fractured kingdoms and the corrupting nature of power,” it said. “Cadw’s decision to close the castles for commercial hire reflects an understanding of this dynamic.
“The short-term cost of closure – measured in lost visitor revenue over a matter of days – is negligible against the long-term benefit of international exposure in a film released in IMAX to a global audience of tens of millions.
“When the Elden Ring film releases in March 2028, audiences who recognise Conwy’s towers or Dolbadarn’s round keep will want to visit. That is a form of cultural promotion that cannot be purchased at any price.”
Production teams set up equipment(Image: John Horrigan)
Filming at Dinorwig is due to finish on Friday, May 29. John has already seen one potential benefit.
He said: “At the weekend there were up to 200 vehicles parked at Allt Ddu and its access road – all visitors wanting free and easy access to the quarry. On corners, this parking overload can be very dangerous.
“Now the area has been closed off for filming, crew vehicles are being parked on nearby fields, including the disused football pitch in Dinorwig village. If they can do it, why can’t Cyngor Gwynedd find ways of controlling parking here?”
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