Fans of dark fantasy have something to look forward to in 2025 with the highly anticipated release of In the Lost Lands. Slated to hit theaters on March 6, 2025, this film is an adaptation of a short story by George R. R. Martin, the mastermind behind A Song of Ice and Fire, the series that inspired HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, best known for Mortal Kombat (1995) and the Resident Evil franchise, In the Lost Lands promises a genre-blending experience filled with dark magic, epic battles, and mythical creatures.
🎬 Watch the Official Trailer
In the Lost Lands has released a teaser that showcases sweeping landscapes, monster-infested ruins, and a gritty, spellbinding world. The visuals hint at an otherworldly Western-style setting powered by cutting-edge CGI. You can watch the trailer on YouTube or follow updates via Universal Pictures.
🧙♀️ Plot Summary
The film centers around Gray Alys, a powerful and enigmatic sorceress known for granting nearly any wish, for a steep price. Her clients often seek help for personal reasons, but they rarely understand the consequences of her magic.
One such client is Lady Melange, a noblewoman longing to transform her appearance in the hope of finding love. Gray Alys agrees to help her, but the spell turns Melange into a werewolf. Unable to find peace, Melange sets off with the wanderer Boyce into the treacherous Lost Lands to confront a demon who has tricked them both.
🌟 Cast and Characters
Milla Jovovich as Gray Alys
The legendary star of The Fifth Element, Joan of Arc, and Resident Evil returns to fantasy as a witch who is both feared and revered. Jovovich brings her trademark intensity and mystique to the role of Gray Alys.
Dave Bautista as Boyce
Known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune (2021), and Avengers: Endgame, Dave Bautista plays the rugged warrior Boyce, a reluctant hero on a dangerous journey through cursed lands.
Amara Okereke as Lady Melange
Amara Okereke is an acclaimed British stage actress making her major film debut. She gained prominence in 2022 for playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum, becoming the first Black actress to do so.
Supporting Cast
- Arly Jover, known from Blade (1998) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), plays a mysterious desert guide.
- Fraser James as Patriarch Johan
- Simon Lefebvre as Geraice
- Deirdre Mullins as Maru
- Sebastian Stankiewicz as Ross
- Jacek Dziędziel as The Lord
- Pawel Wysocki and Jan Kowalewski portray characters with Slavic roots, adding cultural depth to the mystical world.
🎥 Behind the Scenes
Director’s Vision
Paul W. S. Anderson described the film as a “fantasy Western with a heart of darkness,” combining folklore with futuristic visual effects. He’s aiming for a bold and stylized aesthetic, made possible through advanced technology and practical effects.
Filming Location
Principal photography took place in Poland, utilizing the country’s hauntingly beautiful landscapes to bring the Lost Lands to life.
📚 Origins in George R. R. Martin’s Universe
The film is based on George R. R. Martin’s short story In the Lost Lands, originally published in 1982. The rights to the story were acquired by director Konstantin Werner in 2009, who initially planned to adapt it along with two other Martin tales: The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr and Bitterblooms.
Werner’s early version, which never went into production, was to star Milla Jovovich and Justin Chatwin (of Shameless fame). Today, Werner serves as a producer on the project, ensuring Martin’s vision is preserved.
🌍 Cultural & Historical Tidbits
- Milla Jovovich was born in the former USSR. Her mother, Galina Loginova, was a Soviet and Russian actress, known for her role in Shadows Disappear at Noon (1971). Galina later played a version of silent film legend Alla Nazimova in A Little Life (2012).
- Amara Okereke‘s groundbreaking stage performance in My Fair Lady earned her critical acclaim and a prestigious UK theatre award.
🔍 Final Thoughts
With its roots in George R. R. Martin’s dark and poetic storytelling, In the Lost Lands is shaping up to be one of the most visually arresting and thematically rich films of 2025. The casting of Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista brings star power, while Paul W. S. Anderson’s ambitious direction promises a cinematic experience unlike any fantasy epic before it.
This film is perfect for fans of gritty adventure, morally ambiguous characters, and stories that challenge the boundaries between heroism and damnation.
📅 Release Information
🗓 Release Date: March 6, 2025
🎟 Distributed by: Universal Pictures
🎬 Genre: Fantasy / Western / Adventure
Watch In the Lost Lands 2025 on eBravoapp.