Zombie survival game Dead Island is getting a sequel next year, but it has been a while since any news about the film adaptation hit the web since Lionsgate acquired the rights to the property in 2011. That is longer the case, with a new studio taking the reigns and looking at fast-tracking the "Dead Island" film for a release in 2015, according to Deadline.
Occupant Entertainment, whose previous films include "The Wackness," "Peep World" and "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane," have acquired the rights to make a "Dead Island" film after the rights reverted from Lionsgate back to game creator Deep Silver.
Lionsgate acquired the "Dead Island" film rights in 2011, but progress on the film quickly stalled when production head Ali Shearmur left the studio in 2012.
Occupant was one of the original bidders on the film rights the first time around in 2011, so now it looks like they will get the chance to make their film. Both Lionsgate and Occupant liked the idea of adapting the popular game to the big screen, but it was specifically the game's top notch teaser cinematic that caught their attention.
In Dead Island, zombie virus immune players must scavenge, fight and survive on an island paradise resort gone to hell. The game's original announcement trailer, depicting a family's dream vacation going horribly wrong, is shot in a unique reverse style and definitely grabbed audience's attention -- the trailer currently has more than 13 million views on YouTube. You can check out the trailer below.
The announcement trailer for Dead Island 2 made a similar splash. While the style of the original Dead Island trailer is somber and sad, Dead Island 2's trailer cranks up the comedy of the situation, with an oblivious runner jamming to his iPod while the world is melting into chaos around him. He of course doesn't notice, until he turns into a zombie himself.
Joe Neurauter and Felipe Marino of Occupant told Deadline that they look to build on that success, while also expanding past the core audience of fans of the game.
"Deep Silver has created a highly successful game franchise based on very cinematic, widely viewed and well received trailers, which provide a great template for launching a film franchise with a distinctive and commercial take on the zombie apocalypse," the duo said. "We want to find the right filmmaker and present somewhat of an open canvas, to make something distinct and original that also appeals and expands the core audience."
Take a look at the trailer for the original Dead Island below:
