Isabela Merced Set To Star in Sega’s Zombie Classic in THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD Movie
Isabela Merced continues to stack up exciting genre projects. The The Last of Us, Superman, and Alien: Romulus star has officially signed on to lead the feature film adaptation of Sega’s long-running videogame favorite The House Of The Dead.
For fans of high-energy horror and arcade-era chaos, this could end up being a pretty
The project is being written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, who previously brought zombie mayhem to the big screen with Resident Evil. The House of the Dead brought high-energy horror and arcade-era chaos.
When it first hit arcades back in 1997, it changed the rules by letting its undead monsters run. That creative choice went on to influence modern zombie storytelling, showing up years later in movies.
In the game, players step into the boots of AMS agents, part of a secret government organization tasked with stopping global-scale threats tied to dark conspiracies and grotesque experiments.
The name of the agency comes from an uncomfortable truth. These agents don’t tend to live very long. It’s fast, brutal, and relentless, which makes it a natural fit for a real-time movie approach.
The film is being positioned as a major Sega priority following the success of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. The plan is to make the experience feel immersive, intense, and constantly moving, while still offering a fresh take on the familiar mythology.
The partners involved see this as the start of something much bigger, with franchise potential baked right in. Anderson is producing alongside his longtime collaborator Jeremy Bolt, with Sega’s Toru Nakahara, Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Michael Lawrence Goldberg, and Timothy I. Merced is stepping in as an executive producer as well.
Anderson shared his enthusiasm for the adaptation, saying: “The House of the Dead is a game I have loved for many years, and I’m beyond thrilled to be bringing this to the big screen with such an exciting talent as Isabela at its heart.
“We envisage this as the start of a tentpole franchise which can explore the rich world and lore that SEGA has created over a whole series of films.”
Nakahara added: “Working with Isabela is a thrilling opportunity as she embodies the heroine character perfectly, bringing dynamic energy to the production.
“We’re dedicated to crafting a visually striking and immersive experience by introducing compelling actors and terrifying creatures that will bring the House of the Dead universe to life on the big screen. With our deep understanding of video game adaptations, we’re eager to deliver an electrifying cinematic journey for the franchise’s fans.”
Story Kitchen shared: “We’re thrilled to bring together Isabela, Paul, Jeremy and SEGA, alongside our partners at Rocket Science and CAA Media Finance. It’s a powerhouse group coming together for a truly iconic property.”
Merced’s schedule is already packed. She will return as Hawkgirl in Man of Tomorrow. She’s also a key player in season two of The Last of Us and is expected back for Season 3.
For fans, like myself, who spent time blasting undead monsters in arcades, I hope this movie turns out awesome.
Source: Deadline