Cult Japanese video game Lollipop Chainsaw is heading to the big screen with a live-action feature film in development.
The film will be set before the events of the original game and is being developed as an R-rated action comedy. It will follow Juliet Starling, a San Romero High School cheerleader from a legendary family of zombie hunters.
When a catastrophic zombie outbreak hits her school, Juliet must battle hordes of undead to save her friends and protect her family. She must also find a way to keep her boyfriend Nick close, even if doing so requires some highly unconventional measures.
The project was unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show and is being made under a licence from Dragami Games. An international creative and production team is behind the film, including Nada Holdings boss Joe Teng, former ZDF Studios drama chief Robert Franke and his Orange Chariot company, Throne Inc MD Takafumi Yuki, Ambitious Entertainment’s Kirk Shaw and Non Stop TV’s Patricio Rabuffetti.
Released in 2012, Lollipop Chainsaw became a cult hit and has sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide. Its remastered edition, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, was released two years ago.
Dragami Games President Shohei Sato said the company was excited to take the franchise into live-action and praised the international team working on the project.
Franke said the film would remain faithful to the spirit of the game while also standing on its own. He said longtime fans would recognise its attitude and irreverence, while newcomers would be able to enjoy it as an action-horror comedy.
The film is part of a broader effort to build globally recognised entertainment franchises from Asia. A new Lollipop Chainsaw video game and an animated series are also in development.
