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| Isabela Merced is set to lead Sega’s The House of the Dead in a new feature film adaptation. |
By Jon Scarr
According to a report from Deadline, Sega’s The House of the Dead is officially heading back to the big screen, with Isabela Merced attached to star in a new film adaptation of the long-running arcade horror series. The project is being developed as a feature film, with international sales launching at the European Film Market.
Merced, who recently appeared in The Last of Us Season 2 and Alien: Romulus, will lead the cast and also serve as an executive producer. The movie is being positioned as a fresh start for the franchise following the poorly received 2003 adaptation.
Paul W.S. Anderson Returns to Zombie Horror
The film will be written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, best known for his work on the Resident Evil movie series. Anderson is producing alongside longtime collaborator Jeremy Bolt, with Sega directly involved through producer Toru Nakahara, who has also worked on the Sonic the Hedgehog films.
Story Kitchen, the company behind recent game adaptations including Tomb Raider, is also producing, with Rocket Science handling international sales and CAA Media Finance representing domestic distribution.
The Arcade Roots Still Matter
First released in 1997, The House of the Dead became one of Sega’s most recognizable arcade franchises. The game followed AMS agents tasked with stopping global threats tied to experimental science and undead creatures, with a reputation for fast pacing and aggressive enemy behaviour.
The series is often credited with influencing modern zombie portrayals by introducing fast-moving undead, a concept that later appeared in films like Dawn of the Dead (2004) and World War Z. The new movie is expected to draw from that legacy while reworking the story for a theatrical format.
Designed as a Franchise, Not a One-Off
According to the report, Sega views The House of the Dead as a major priority following the success of Sonic the Hedgehog. The film is being developed with franchise potential in mind, including a real-time structure and a new take on the series’ setting and characters.
Anderson has described the project as the starting point for a larger series of films, with room to explore more of the game’s world and lore over time.
A Stronger Foundation This Time Around
The earlier 2003 film adaptation failed to resonate with fans or critics, but this new version brings together a very different creative team. With Sega directly involved, a proven genre director attached, and Merced leading the cast, expectations are considerably higher.
No release window has been announced yet, but development is underway, and the project will begin testing interest with buyers at the European Film Market this month.
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