In a breaking development, studio Lionsgate has acquired the movie rights to Dead Island, a video game about a zombie infestation set on an island. If you recall the teaser trailer, which showed a family being attacked by the undead, it plays out in reverse. It was such a powerful trailer that it was enough to start a bidding war to obtain the rights. In less than twenty-four hours after its premiere online it was seen by over one million viewers.
Dead Island was released in September on the PlayStation 3, Microsoft X-Box 360 gaming platforms and on PC. Over two million copies of the game have been sold.
“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 Joe Drake, Lionsgate’s Co-Chief Operating Officer. “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.”
