Lionsgate to Make Dead Island Into a Feature Film
Film Studio Lionsgate announced today that it has optioned film rights to develop Dead Island into a feature film.
The game centers on vacationers whose island paradise becomes a living hell when a zombie outbreak quickly spreads. Dead Island has been making waves in entertainment circles since the release of a critically acclaimed trailer featuring a family fighting off a Zombie attack. The trailer received wide acclaim in and out of the videogame industry ultimately winning an award at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity.
Since release in early September, Dead Island has sold nearly 3 million copies making it one of the the best selling games of the year.
Citing the trailer as inspiration, Lionsgate’s co-COO and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake has stated the film will 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.” He continued, “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.”
Dead Island is currently in the early development stage with producers attached. Sean Daniel (of The Mummy, Tombstone, and Dazed and Cofused fame) will spearhead production through his Sean Daniel Company.
As long as Uwe Boll is not connected, Lionsgate has great source material and can hopefully make a great Dead Island movie.
