Dead Island Movie Actually Happening

If the ending of Dead Island left you yearning for a sequel, you may have gotten more than you bargained for.  In fact, Dead Island is now in the works for a full-fledged feature film. Lionsgate has purchased the rights to Dead Island not because of the success of the game itself, but instead due to the hype and media attention surrounding the heart-wrenching announcement trailer released some time ago.  Continually referred to as "the greatest trailer of all time", the slow motion, time-reversed video features a young girl running helplessly towards her family from a horde of zombies only to be bitten and thus, attack her own father who is desperately trying to protect his wife and daughter.  Amidst the chaos of the now over-run room, the father backs up into a window where his little girl will fall from the breath-taking heights of one of Banoi Resort Hotel's top floors.  This is all backed by an ominous piano score that ironically compliments its contradicting content which seamlessly makes the viewer emotionally invested in an act that demands empathy.  

Lionsgate's co-COO and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake stated, "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."

At the moment, there is no official list of actors or directors in consideration for the film, but Sean Daniel, who's credits include The Mummy, Tombstone, and Dazed and Confused, is confirmed as the producer.  

Whether you liked the game or not, there is no denying the power behind Dead Island's spine-chilling announcement trailer that transcends the typical gaudy status quo.  There have been few games that have had me sold based purely on a trailer but this is one of them, and I must admit, out of the dozens of times I've seen the look in the father's eyes as he reaches for his daughter's hand at the end, it never fails to put a lump in my throat.  

Here's to hoping that a Dead Island film can re-create the same sense of emotional desperation and heart-yearning hoplessness that this trailer so flawlessly does.