Dead Island up for a Film Adaptation

The video game DEAD ISLAND has long been the subject of a planned project up for a live action film adaptation, now the plans for this adaptation is moving forward. "Dead Island" is a role-playing survival game in which a highly infectious disease turns a resort full of people into zombies after which four immune survivors are tasked with tracking down supplies and finding a way to call for help. It's a hit game that sold over eight million units worldwide. [hit the jump to continue]

Collider reports that back in 2011, it was Lionsgate that snatched up the rights to the game, but the project stalled.  The rights then went back to the publisher, Deep Silver, and now they’ve opted to team up with Occupant, the indie producing company behind All the Boys Love Mandy Lane and The Wackness, to finally make it happen.  In fact, they’re fast-tracking it with hopes of starting production in early 2015.

There’s a sequel to Dead Island that’s expected to hit stores in spring 2015, so, according to Deadline, the two companies are now looking for a director with “an innovative take based on either the first game or its sequel, or something in between.”  Occupant’s Joe Neurauter and Felipe Marino stated:

“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.  We want to find the right filmmaker and present somewhat of an open canvas, to make something distinct and original that also appeals to and expands the core audience.”
Check out the trailer for the game...

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