The saddest and perhaps best video game trailer ever made is on its way to becoming a full-fledged feature film.
Deep Silver — publisher of the hit zombie game "Dead Island" — has just announced that Hollywood studio Lionsgate has optioned the rights to make the game into a movie. And according to the announcement, Lionsgate will be using the game's haunting trailer-turned-viral-sensation as the "primary creative inspiration."
"Dead Island" was released for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC on Sept. 6 and has already sold more than 2 million units, according to Deep Silver. But it was the teaser trailer — released back in February — that first got the world buzzing about the game.
Playing out in reverse order, the evocative and disturbing video reveals what happens to a vacationing family when the remote island they're on becomes infected with a mysterious zombie-fying viral outbreak. Here's the trailer — but be warned, it is very graphic and, if you are a parent, will probably make you get all teary-eyed.
Interestingly, as game site Kotaku points out, the characters from the teaser trailer do not appear in the game itself — especially not the little girl. Though you can find the secret room where the carnage took place.
No matter, it seems Lionsgate likes the trailer as well as the game's more realistic and emotional take on what it would be like to be caught in the throes of a zombie plague.
"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 Lionsgate COO Joe Drake. "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."
In-Game editor Todd Kenreck gave the game high marks for its realism, sense of desperation and diverse cast of characters. Check out his full review here:
The "Dead Island" film is currently in the early development stage, according to the announcement. Sean Daniel — a producer behind "The Mummy," "Tombstone" and "Dazed and Confused" — will spearhead the production.
Beyond that, there isn't much in the way of additional news about what direction Lionsgate will take the adaptation. Will it follow the family seen in the trailer? Will it follow the protagonists that gamers actually play in "Dead Island"?
One thing is for sure, the movie absolutely must include the music used in that teaser trailer. I'm sure I'm not the only one who'll never be able to get that tune — and the sad images it accompanies — out of my head.
For more game news check out:
- The Dead Island trailer will make you cry
- 'Skyrim' will feature star-studded cast of 70 actors
- Documentary mistakes video game for real terrorism
- Greek island protests video game stardom
- 'Mass Effect' movie won't be based on 'Mass Effect' games
Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things here on Twitter or join her in the stream here on Google+. And be sure to check out the In-Game Facebook page here.
