Screen Junkies » dead island

Lionsgate Brings ‘Dead Island’ Zombies To The Big Screen

Joseph Gibson — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:55:35 +0000

The trailer for the hit video game Dead Island caused quite a stir, and probably convinced at least one person to cancel his or her tropical vacation to avoid a possible zombie outbreak. The game has gotten pretty good reviews, too – which is why it should come as no surprise that Lionsgate is making a movie version. After all, video games are big, zombies are big, and people love the beach. Why not? Here’s a plot synopsis – and remember, always go for the head:

“The game centers on vacationers whose island paradise becomes a living hell when a zombie outbreak quickly spreads. Cut off from the rest of the world, the survivors have only the available materials and the island’s natural ‘weapons’ to protect themselves from the vicious and growing legions of the undead. “

So it’s like Super Mario Sunshine, but with zombies. The movie will undoubtedly follow a similar line, and the filmmakers at Lionsgate promise to preserve that special Dead Island touch with a “focus on human emotion, family ties and non-linear storytelling.” Also, lots and lots of undead gore.

Links Away: Shaun Of The Dead Island

Reza F. — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:36:29 +0000

For a comedy, Shaun of the Dead had a surprisingly emotional climactic scene. Turns out it gets even more emotional when it’s put in slow motion, reversed, and set to some depressing piano music, a la that crazy-awesome “Dead Island” trailer that came out last week. Try not to cry. Zombies can smell tears. (Devour)

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Producer Buys Movie Rights To Zombie Video Game Commercial, Welcome To Hollywood

Geoffrey Golden — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 02:08:56 +0000

Remember the Dead Island short we posted two days ago? The 3 minute viral video for the upcoming zombie shooter game that was surprisingly artsy? Well, two days is a long time in internetland, because already the short has been seen by 1.6 million people on YouTube and the film rights to the game have just been optioned. That’s right: there will be a movie based on a commercial for a video game, which tops the list of “Retarded Things To Option,” blowing past the former #1: “Twitter Account.”

Producer Sean Daniel (The Wolfman) technically scooped up the movie rights to Dead Island itself, but according to Techland, the studio behind the Dead Island, the actual game isn’t about the characters in the viral video. But we’re sure Daniel is gonna want to make a game based on the story from the video, because that’s the thing that’s super popular right now. Who knows how the actual game will do? And who cares? Everyone loves that video.

“So now… how do we stretch 3 minutes into 2 and a half hours,” Daniel asks a screenwriting duo, who scratch their heads simultaneously. “And can a whole movie be backwards?” (Cinema Blend)

Zombie Game Trailer Is An Elegant Tearjerker

Geoffrey Golden — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:38:44 +0000

Normally we don’t post about video games, unless someone is ruining our favorite game by turning it into a horrible movie. However, this trailer for Techland’s Dead Island is surprisingly cinematic. It definitely stands out from the bloody, mindless horde of zombie games looking to scoop out your braaaaains… (and the cash from your wallet.)

The sad music, the narrative told in reverse, the slow motion, the solid direction, the heartstrings pulled – is it too late to put this in the Best Shorts category at the Oscars this year? Damn it, that was kind of a bummer, though. Why weren’t there any badass plants around to help that poor family? Video games have taught me that plants are the natural enemy of zombies, so if I were running Dead Island, I’d get some emergency gardeners in there pronto.

The game’s official release date has not yet been announced. (Moviefone)