As the Tarnished’s guide around the Lands Between, Melina could be an integral character in the Elden Ring movie. The estranged daughter of Marika, Melina’s motives for assisting the player in the main game are somewhat clouded, but it is clear that she is against the Golden Order. A film could therefore explore her complicated relationship with the rest of her family, and show why she chose the path of the Gloam-Eyed Queen.

It would take a particular actor to bring out Melina’s character. When the player sees her, she is softly spoken and muted, but this does not mean she was always like this. There are so many interpretations of Melina’s character that could be explored in Alex Garland’s Elden Ring, from a fiery rebel to a dispassionate nihilist, and these actresses in particular would be great at bringing out these sides of her.

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These 5 actresses would be perfect as Melina in the Elden Ring movie

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan has been a staple of many quieter, more introspective films, and would be a great casting as a version of Melina who is more detached, not to mention how similar she looks to Melina’s in-game appearance. Melina’s motivations are mysterious, and Saoirse Ronan could pull off this ambiguity well, showing the quiet, unassuming version of the character that fans know, using her quiet nature to distract people from her ultimate goals.

Zoë Kravitz

There are many ways that Zoë Kravitz could play Melina, but one of the best would be by taking inspiration from her past role in The Batman. Selina Kyle and her alter ego of Catwoman would fit the dual nature of Melina and the Gloam-Eyed Queen, and Kravitz could build off this performance to show how Melina’s early idealism led her down a dark path.

While it isn't definitive, Melina's identity as the Gloam-Eyed Queen is all but confirmed with strong supporting game evidence.

Nathalie Emmanuel

Nathalie Emmanuel is great for bringing a certain composure to her characters. Many will know her from Game of Thrones, where she played Missandei, the right hand of Daenerys Targaryen, and she could definitely serve a similar role in the plot of the Elden Ring movie. However, it might be better to let her do something different with the character, and give Emmanuel an opportunity to show Melina’s wild idealism that saw her cast out from the royal family.

Stephanie Hsu

If the Elden Ring movie does want to dig into Melina’s past, then Stephanie Hsu would be a fantastic choice to show the single-mindedness that once drove Melina. Her depiction of Jobu’s nihilism in Everything Everywhere All At Once is very similar to Melina’s intention to burn the Erdtree and start over again, and her sheer range means that she could show a version of Melina that is both doom-driven to topple the Golden Order, whilst simultaneously doubting her own chances of success.

Rose Leslie

In many ways, Ygritte from Game of Thrones is reminiscent of Melina, as Ygritte introduces Jon Snow to Wildling life, so too does Melina take the Tarnished on their journey. But it’s for more than her Game of Thrones character; Rose Leslie can portray the distant, mysterious figure just as well as she can play the savage warrior, and bringing these aspects together could make for a very compelling Melina whose motives may be good, but whose means may be questionable.

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Elden Ring Tag Page Cover Art
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Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
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Released
February 25, 2022
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
From Software
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The Erdtree in Elden Ring
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Engine
Proprietary
Genre(s)
RPG, Action