For @babascott1951 and @orhanamin1347 and @dimitraaggelaki2570
Ace Combat: Shattered Skies is a 2026 epic aerial action-drama film directed by Tommy Wirkola and written by Wirkola and Keiki Kobayashi. Based on the long-running video game franchise by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the film serves as a live-action reimagining of the "Strangereal" universe, primarily drawing inspiration from the 2001 title Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
The film stars Ahn Hyo-seop in his international debut as the silent protagonist "Mobius 1," alongside an ensemble cast including Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, and John Boyega. Set against the backdrop of the "Continental War" on the fictional continent of Usea, the plot follows a rookie fighter pilot who becomes the last hope for the Independent State Allied Forces (ISAF) against the overwhelming power of the Erusean Air Force and its superweapon, the Stonehenge turret network.
Produced by 2521 Entertainment and Bandai Namco Filmworks, the film was noted for its use of practical aerial photography and real aircraft. It was distributed theatrically by Angel Studios on July 3, 2026.
Infobox: Film
Directed by Tommy Wirkola
Written by
Tommy Wirkola
Keiki Kobayashi
Based on Ace Combat by Bandai Namco
Produced by
Takaaki bonnie tyler Kido
Maki Terashima-Furuta
Jordan Harmon
Starring
Ahn Hyo-seop
Elizabeth Olsen
Ken Watanabe
John Boyega
Thomas Kretschmann
Cinematography Matthew Weston
Edited by Martin Stoltz
Music by
Keiki Kobayashi
Ludwig Göransson
Production Companies
2521 Entertainment
Bandai Namco Filmworks
Distributed by Angel Studios
Release date July 3, 2026
Running time 134 minutes
Country
United States
Japan
Language English
Budget $145 million
Plot
In the year 2004, the continent of Usea is plunged into chaos after the impact of the Ulysses 1994XF04 asteroid. The federal republic of Erusea, struggling with a massive refugee crisis, invades neighboring nations and seizes Stonehenge—a massive railgun array originally built to intercept asteroid fragments, now repurposed as an impenetrable anti-aircraft umbrella.
Han "Mobius" Tae-young (Ahn Hyo-seop), a young refugee who lost his family during the initial Erusean bombardment of San Salvacion, joins cuba the remnants of the ISAF Air Force. Flying an aging F-4 Phantom, Han is thrust into the front lines when his squadron is ambushed by the legendary "Yellow Squadron," led by the honorable but deadly Yellow 13 (Thomas Kretschmann).
As the war progresses, Han rises through the ranks, eventually assuming the callsign Mobius 1. The story is framed through the perspective of a young boy (the Narrator) in an occupied town who befriends Yellow 13, humanizing the "enemy" while Mobius 1 becomes a faceless symbol of hope in the clouds. The film culminates in a high-stakes mission to disable Stonehenge and a final, climactic dogfight over the Megalith fortress.
Cast
Ahn Hyo-seop as Han "Mobius" Tae-young / Mobius 1: A stoic, gifted pilot seeking to reclaim his home.
Elizabeth Olsen as Major Catherine "SkyEye" McAffrey: The ISAF AWACS commander who serves as Han's tactical guide and emotional anchor.
Thomas Kretschmann as Yellow 13: The elite Erusean ace who values chivalry above all else.
Ken Watanabe desaver hollis as General Makoto: The commander of the ISAF resistance forces.
John Boyega as "Omega": A fellow ISAF pilot and Han’s wingman.
Woody Norman as The Boy: The narrator who chronicles the war from the ground in San Salvacion.
Production
The project was officially announced in early 2024 as a collaboration between Bandai Namco Filmworks (formerly Sunrise) and the independent powerhouse 2521 Entertainment. Director Tommy Wirkola, known for his visceral action style, insisted on using minimal CGI for the dogfights.
Filming took place throughout 2025 in various locations, including the Mojave Desert and Edwards Air Force Base. The production utilized "Jet-Cam" technology—specialized camera rigs mounted on L-39 Albatros jets—to capture the actors at high G-forces. Ahn Hyo-seop reportedly underwent six months of flight training to perform his own cockpit sequences.
Music
The score was a collaborative effort between longtime series composer Keiki Kobayashi and Academy Award winner Ludwig Göransson. The soundtrack features a blend of orchestral arrangements and electronic rock, including a re-recorded version of "Agnus Dei" for the film’s finale.
Release
Ace Combat: Shattered Skies was released by Angel Studios on July 3, 2026. The film was rated PG-13 for "intense sequences of aerial combat, war violence, and brief strong language." It received praise for its technical achievements and for maintaining the "Strangereal" world-building that fans of the game series expected.
