Iron Lung Confirmed: Cast, Trailer & Everything We Know About The Video Game Adaptation

Iron Lung is one of the most popular indie horror video games of the past few years, so it's unsurprising that it's getting a film adaptation, even if fans don't know when the movie is coming out. Developed by David Szymanski, the 2022 game is a first-person simulation that takes place entirely in a one-room submarine. The story unfolds in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event and follows a convict who is sent on a mission to explore an ocean of blood on a desolate moon using a rusty submarine nicknamed "Iron Lung."

Fans were excited when Mark Fischbach, aka Markiplier, announced in 2023 that he would be directing, starring in, and financing a film adaption of Iron Lung. Markiplier, one of the most influential gamers on YouTube, is best known for his "Let's Play" videos, where viewers watch him play horror games. He recently released a wildly successful series for Amazon Prime Video called The Edge of Sleep, based on his podcast, which he starred in and produced. Markiplier has been providing fans with updates on the film, which he says will be his first theatrical film as a director.

Iron Lung Latest News

Markiplier Claims Iron Lung Will Be The Bloodiest Film Of All Time

Since officially announcing the Iron Lung film on April 21, 2023, Markiplier has continued to provide updates to his 37.3 million+ subscribers on YouTube. The film stars Markiplier himself, Caroline Kaplan, Elle LaMont, and Seán McLoughlin and was shot in Austin, TX. David Szymanski has been heavily involved, providing script notes, being on set during production, and even making a cameo in the film. When the project was first announced, Markiplier released a teaser trailer for the film.

While filming Iron Lung, Markiplier claimed that the film used more fake blood than any horror film in history. The current record is 50,000 US gallons, which was used by Fede Álvarez's 2013 remake of Evil Dead. Markiplier even had to go to the hospital on his birthday, June 28th, 2023, because his eyes were inflamed after going "too deep in the blood." Since the film takes place on an ocean of blood, it definitely is understandable why so much was used.

The film experienced some delays during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and had to halt filming. Markiplier was supposed to film a cameo in Five Nights at Freddy's, but the shoots for both projects coincided.

Iron Lung Confirmed — Production Status/Trailer

Markiplier Released A Trailer

During production, Markiplier would update his subscribers from the set and even took time away from posting regular videos. On June 20th, 2024, he provided his YouTube audience with the biggest update yet: the film was "officially done" with production, and post-production was about to begin.

“Obviously, the movie is not out, but the main sprint of what I was doing is now done. This has been the longest run of pure work that I’ve ever done my entire life. This has been the most arduous thing that I have ever taken on.”

While the film was completed, Mark admitted that he was still working out distribution details but intended for the film to be released in theaters, which he hopes will happen soon. Given that The Edge of Sleep announced a release date only a month before premiering on Amazon Prime Video, a release date for Iron Lung could be announced at any time. To whet his fans' appetites, Mark released an official trailer for the film. While Iron Lung does not currently have a release date, fans are hopeful the film will hit theaters in 2025.

Iron Lung Cast

Markiplier Is Joined By Iron Lung Game Creator David Szymanski

Iron Lung may not have a huge confirmed cast, but a few of Markiplier's co-stars have been revealed. In 2023, Deadline confirmed that actress Caroline Rose Kaplan (The Plot Against America, Orange is the New Black) would appear in the film. Fellow gaming YouTuber Seán William McLoughlin, aka jacksepticeye, also confirmed on X that he was part of the Iron Lung cast, though not as "Voice on Speaker #2, which he is credited as on the movie's IMDb page.

However, perhaps the most exciting casting news is that David Szymanski, the Iron Lung video game creator himself, would make a cameo appearance. Currently, none of the actors have character names, save McLoughlin's reportedly incorrect character name.

Iron Lung Story Details

While The Plot Of The Film Have Not Been Confirmed, All Signs Point To A Faithful Adaptation

Although no official plot description has been revealed for Iron Lung, judging by the trailers and information Markiplier has shared with his fans, the film's plot is expected to closely resemble the game's. While the game's action takes place entirely in a single location, it is hard to imagine the film adhering to that structure, especially given its elaborate world-building.

The story unfolds after a mysterious event known as "The Quiet Rapture," during which all habitable planets vanish. A convict is sent to a desolate moon to search for resources, and must navigate an ocean of human blood in a rusty submarine called "Iron Lung." The mission is critical to finding the vital substances needed to support human life and preserve existence. Along the journey, the convict uncovers hidden secrets beneath the bloody ocean and encounters an unidentified sea creature that attacks the submarine, affecting the final outcome of the mission.