Paul W.S. Anderson is writing and directing The House of the Dead, an action-packed film adaptation of Sega’s classic arcade game series.
Anderson will collaborate with longtime partner Jeremy Bolt of Impact Pictures, alongside Sega’s Toru Nakahara and Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson. The project seeks to introduce Sega’s cult-classic game, known for its fast-paced zombie action, to a new generation of horror and gaming fans.
The House of the Dead, which debuted in 1996, was one of the first video games to feature fast-moving zombies, influencing a wave of zombie media, including Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead.
The film will focus on Lisa Rogan, who battles her way through mutated creatures in a haunted research facility to rescue her father. Her journey will intertwine with Daniel Curien, the son of a scientist responsible for the monstrous outbreak. Inspired by House of the Dead III (2002), the story emphasizes family conflict amid high-stakes action and horror.
The film’s aesthetic draws heavily from Japanese horror, mirroring the original game’s stylized, mutated creatures with tactical and weaponized movements. Bolt describes the enemies as “fast and deadly,” setting them apart from the slow-moving undead seen in Resident Evil.
In keeping with The House of the Dead‘s dark lore, the monstrous foes are named after Tarot cards, such as “The Wheel of Fate” and “The Magician,” adding a mythic depth to the antagonists.
The House of the Dead is expected to begin production in mid-to-late 2025, with Anderson and the production team preparing to pitch the project soon. Backed by experienced game-to-film adaptors, the film aims to deliver a fresh take on zombie horror that honors Sega’s legacy.
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