Actresses That Should Play Malenia in the Elden Ring Movie

For many reasons, Malenia is an absolutely iconic character, and if she appears in the Elden Ring movie, it's critical that her depiction is done justice. Malenia played a very important role during the Shattering, with her Scarlet Aeonia desolating Caelid, and this event could provide a pivotal climax to the Elden Ring film if Alex Garland wants to cover events from before the game.

There are no shortage of actresses out there that could play Malenia, but whether they should all play her is another question entirely. Malenia’s temperament is hard to guess, as by the time players meet her, the Scarlet Rot has eaten most of her away, and a talented actress could have a very interesting time making the part their own. This leaves many options open for how she could be played, either steering close to her typical Elden Ring portrayal, or showing her gradual demise as the cosmic god of rot slowly eats her away.

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By Timothy McClelland

These 5 Actresses Would Be Great Playing Malenia in the Elden Ring Movie

Rebecca Ferguson

Rebecca Ferguson has been quietly climbing the rungs of Hollywood for years until her role as Lady Jessica in Dune: Part One cemented her as an absolute great. Able to channel her fear for her son’s safety, while also pushing him down a dark path is a line that can be difficult to walk, she helped bring the character to life with just a deadly stare. Ferguson would cut an imposing figure as Miquella’s protector, and as no stranger to action sequences, she would be able to make Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance choreography look like a piece of cake.

Emilia Clarke

Many fans of Game of Thrones would argue that Emilia Clarke got dealt the rough end of the stick with Daenerys’ characterization in season 8, but that shouldn’t stop her from taking big roles in other fantasy IPs. Her love for the role was clear to see, and applying that same level of passion to show Malenia’s character arc as she becomes stricken by rot could be a career-defining performance for Clarke, just as Daenerys was.

Emilia Clarke was not the original actress cast for the role of Daenerys in Game of Thrones, having replaced her in the unlikely second run of the show's pilot.

Karen Gillan

Perhaps an unlikely pick for Malenia, Gillan brings a level of fire to her characters that makes them leap out of the screen. Even if a lot of people don’t recognize her, she played Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy, but rose to prominence through her Doctor Who companion Amy Pond, and she has managed to bring both impulsiveness and compassion to these roles. Her Malenia would likely be a terrifying one, whose anger is rooted in a deep love for her brother’s safety, and it would truly show her incredible range.

Elizabeth Debicki

Speaking of range, Elizabeth Debicki has gone from arms dealers’ wives to Princess Diana, and she would probably be able to bring a level of introspection to Malenia. Malenia’s consumption by Scarlet Rot happened slowly and inevitably, leading to a person left broken mentally and physically. Debicki has tackled a number of characters going through similar things before, always finding a way to look within, and Malenia in her hands could show that even powerful gods are as vulnerable as mortals.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone is one of the most prolific actors of the last two decades, and there are few types of roles she hasn’t tried out, from period drama to pot-smoking nihilist. But Emma Stone as Malenia could be something different for her, and it would be fascinating to see how she adapted to such a demanding role. If Alex Garland is one for Easter eggs, then Stone should watch out for Let Me Solo Her making an appearance, as Malenia has her own history of being smoked by a pot-head.

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