Lionsgate have secured the movie rights to the first-person zombie-fighting video game Dead Island, from its developers Deep Silver. Released earlier this month, Dead Island sees a group of survivors at a beach resort threatened by an undead plague ravaging the outside world.
The teaser trailer for the game is the “primary creative inspiration” for the film. After being released online it became a viral sensation and won various industry awards including a Golden Lion at Cannes. Lionsgate president Joe Drake said: “The film Dead Island will be an innovation of the zombie genre because of its focus on human emotion, family ties and non-linear storytelling. Like the hundreds of journalists and millions of fans who were so passionate and vocal about the Dead Island trailer, we too were awestruck. This is exactly the type of property we’re looking to adapt at Lionsgate – it’s sophisticated, edgy, and a true elevation of a genre that we know and love. It also has built in brand recognition around the world, and franchise potential.”
Sean Daniel (The Mummy franchise) will be producing the movie, along with colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld (Sucker Punch, Fright Night).
Originally published September 28, 2011. Updated April 10, 2018.
