Famous Dead Island trailer inspires film

Famous Dead Island trailer inspires film


Controversial promo to serve as ‘primary creative inspiration’, Lionsgate claims

Global film studio Lionsgate has announced it has optioned the rights to develop a film based on the Dead Island trailer.

The movie giants said the game’s gory CGI trailer would serve as the “primary creative inspiration” for the film that will be “an innovation of the zombie genre” due to its “focus on human emotion, family ties and non-linear storytelling”.

Lionsgate said the film is in early development and has The Mummy producer Sean Daniel on-board to lead production through his own company.

The game shot to fame last February due to its trailer, directed and produced by Glasgow outfit Axis Animation, which became an online phenomenon in a matter of hours. 

The trailer depicts a family on holiday overrun by zombies.

The official announcement video has had nearly seven million YouTube hits to date.

"Like the hundreds of journalists and millions of fans who were so passionate and vocal about the Dead Island trailer, we too were awestruck,” said Lionsgate exec Joe Drake.

"This is exactly the type of property we’re looking to adapt – 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."

The Dead Island trailer went on to win the Golden Lion at the Cannes festival and was featured by Adweek on its annual list of the world’s best commercials.

The game has received mixed reviews since its release earlier this month, but has sold over two million units worldwide.