Paul W.S. Anderson to Direct Live-Action House of the Dead Movie Based on Sega's Classic Arcade Franchise

Paul W.S.

Anderson, renowned for his work bringing video game franchises to the silver screen, is officially set to write and direct a live-action adaptation of Sega’s legendary arcade shooter, House of the Dead.

This announcement marks another collaboration between Anderson, producer Jeremy Bolt, and Sega, and will introduce a new generation of fans to one of Sega’s most iconic properties, first launched in arcades in 1996 and later brought to platforms such as the Nintendo Wii and eShop.

The production is scheduled to begin between mid and late 2025, reflecting Sega’s ongoing efforts to expand its properties through cinematic projects. Anderson's career is closely tied to successful video game adaptations, including Mortal Kombat (1995) and the Resident Evil film series, which ran from 2002 to 2016 and starred Milla Jovovich.

More recently, Anderson directed Monster Hunter in 2020, further solidifying his expertise in translating interactive entertainment to film. In a recent interview, Anderson shared his personal connection to the House of the Dead franchise: he has been a fan since its early arcade days, playing it alongside other 1990s classics.

He emphasized that the property’s cross-generational appeal—both his teenage children and he himself enjoy the games—serves as a driving force behind his creative vision.

“House of the Dead is a powerful, cross-generational IP that still excites both longtime fans and new players,” Anderson explained. The film will pull from House of the Dead III’s storyline, centering on family drama in the midst of action and horror.

At its core, the plot follows Lisa Rogan as she attempts to rescue her father, while Daniel Curien must confront the chaos wrought by his own family legacy.

Anderson described his directorial approach as a "full-on terror ride," aiming to create a real-time experience that plunges viewers straight into the action—mirroring the immersive, fast-paced gameplay of the original light gun arcade title.

The narrative is designed to be accessible for newcomers, allowing all audience members to learn about the characters and world during an intense, 90-minute escape from an overrun, haunted facility. Producer Jeremy Bolt, another veteran of video game-to-film adaptations, commented on the unique qualities of the House of the Dead monsters.

He highlighted that series creator Takashi Oda was deliberate in differentiating its antagonists from typical zombies.

Instead, these are intelligent, weaponized creatures influenced by Japanese manga and films like Tetsuo: The Iron Man, featuring technological and biological mutations.

According to Bolt, their cunning and supernatural intelligence, all ultimately controlled by Dr.

Curien—whose consciousness persists as the antagonist Wheel of Fate—distinguish House of the Dead from other horror franchises.

Many of the game’s bosses are inspired by Tarot cards, bringing an additional layer of symbolism and distinctive design to the series’ mythos. This latest adaptation is produced in partnership with Sega's Toru Nakahara, Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M.

Johnson and Mike Goldberg, and Dan Jevons, with Timothy I.

Stevenson serving as executive producer.

Nakahara noted that Sega's initial hesitation toward Hollywood productions shifted dramatically after successful collaborations on projects like Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog.

"Our goal is to add a compelling zombie movie to Sega's transmedia portfolio," said Nakahara, emphasizing the team's gaming expertise and shared vision for authenticity. While there was a previous attempt to adapt House of the Dead in 2003 by director Uwe Boll—resulting in a film that was both critically and commercially unsuccessful—this new endeavor aims to respect the game’s source material and visibility as a classic in the horror arcade genre.

Fans and newcomers alike can look forward to a faithful, action-packed adaptation as production moves forward in 2025.

Sega Xbox Series X|S arcade