EXCLUSIVE: The cult Japanese video game Lollipop Chainsaw comes to the big screen. Deadline may reveal that a live-action version is in the works as the game’s creators look to establish “a new model for building globally recognized Asian entertainment franchises.” The latest video game Lollipop Chainsaw will be released soon along with an animated series. Set before the events of the original game and conceived as an R-rated action comedy, the Lollipop Chainsaw movie follows protagonist Juliet Starling, a San Romero High School cheerleader born into a legendary family of zombie hunters. When a catastrophic zombie outbreak engulfs her school, Juliet must fight her way through the undead to save her friends, protect her family, and somehow keep her boyfriend Nick close, even if that ultimately requires some very unconventional arrangements. Unveiled today at the Tokyo Game Show, the film is licensed by Dragami Games and is being crafted by an international creative and production team consisting of Nada Holdings boss Joe Teng (As One), former ZDF Studios drama head Robert Franke and his indie Orange Chariot, Throne Inc CEO Takafumi Yuki, Ambitious Entertainment’s Kirk Shaw and Non Stop TV’s Patricio Rabuffetti. Released in 2012, Lollipop Chainsaw has become a cult hit over the years, selling more than 1.5 million copies worldwide. A remastered edition, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, came out two years ago. Dragami Games President Shohei Sato said: “We’re really excited to see our vision take another important step with the first live-action feature film in the franchise. We’re especially happy to be working with such an experienced and passionate international team, one that understands what makes Lollipop Chainsaw special while also embracing the opportunity to create something new.” Franke added: “We’re making a film that feels unmistakably true to the spirit of Lollipop Chainsaw while also being completely self-contained. Longtime fans will recognize the attitude, irreverence and glorious excess they love, while newcomers will simply be able to enjoy an unforgettable action-horror comedy. Our ambition is to create a film that will entertain audiences everywhere, whether they’ve played the game or not.”
