Lionsgate Options Film Rights to Dead Island Game

Earlier this month we announced the release of the zombie thriller adventure game Dead Island … a paradise to die for.

Today, Deep Silver, the game's developer, announced that Lionsgate Entertainment has optioned the film rights to develop a feature inspired by the game.

The game was introduced earlier this year via a trailer that tells the story of a family on vacation at a tropical resort, which is besieged by zombies. (The release trailer is embedded below.)

Like the trailer that will serve as its primary creative inspiration, the film will be an innovation of the zombie genre because of its focus on human emotion, family ties and non-linear storytelling. Said Lionsgate co-COO Joe Drake of the property's acquisition, "Like the hundreds of journalists and millions of fans who were so passionate and vocal about the Dead Island trailer, we too were awestruck." He continued, "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."

And in news we missed from about a week ago, the Dead Island novel based on the game's storyline was published.

Dead Island is available on Windows PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

(Source: Deep Silver.)