An extraordinary ensemble cast has come together for ‘Ibelin’, the upcoming true story drama from Vendôme Pictures and Pathé. Charlie Plummer, Stephen Graham, Toni Collette, Isabela Merced, Maisy Stella and Anthony Hopkins have officially joined the project, which is inspired by the real-life events depicted in the Emmy-nominated documentary ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.’
The film will explore the life of Norwegian gamer Mats Steen, a young man who suffered from a degenerative muscular disease but found connection and purpose in the digital realm of ‘World of Warcraft.’ Under the avatar name “Ibelin,” Steen built a vibrant online existence and touched the lives of countless players around the world.
When he passed away at the age of 25 in 2014, his family discovered the profound community and friendships he had fostered in the game — revealing an unexpected legacy of love, creativity, and belonging.
Oscar nominee Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) will direct from a screenplay by BAFTA nominee Ilaria Bernardini (Citadel: Diana) and Oscar nominee Hossein Amini (Drive). The film will capture both the emotional depth of Steen’s family life and the imaginative world of the World of Warcraft community that became his extended family.
The project is currently in pre-production, with filming slated to begin in early 2026 across Norway and the United Kingdom. The producers are aiming for a 2027 festival debut, with an international theatrical release to follow.
