Dead Space movie still alive

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 22 March, 2011

Prequel idea dropped.

The live action Dead Space movie still exists and will happen, its director has insisted.

"We're working on the story," director D.J. Caruso (I Am Number Four, Disturbia) told AreaGames (via Joystiq).

"We had one attempt of trying to do a prequel, but the story didn't quite work out as well as we wanted it to. But if we can capture how - I don't want to say, I guess, how scary or horrifying it would be to play that game because it's really, really fantastic - it'd be fun to make that into a movie."

The Dead Space movie is a collaboration between EA and Twilight producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey.

In January Dead Space developer Visceral Games insisted the live action movie will not be "just a cheap cash-in", but "something really worthwhile".

A number of animated films, books and comics are already available, extending the Dead Space universe beyond the games.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (48) Latest comment 8 months ago

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  • LazyNinjaUk #1 1 year ago

    "But if we can capture how - I don't want to say, I guess, how scary or horrifying it would be to play that game because it's really, really fantastic"..........

    "how scary or horrifying it would be to play that game"

    I take it you haven't actually played it then?

  • LeglessSheep #2 1 year ago

    The Twilight producers??

    Oh just fuck ooooooff.

  • pooKy1979 #3 1 year ago

    Can't really see the point of this, and this is coming from a huge Dead Space fan. I see the game as an affectionate homage to my favourite sci fi/horror crossovers: Alien, The Thing, Sunshine and Event Horizon. The hook is the interactivity. As a passive experience it'll just be derivative shit.

  • AcidSnake #4 1 year ago

    Hopefully they won't let the Twilight producers have any say in this...

    P1: "What if the necromorphs instead of killing people just want to talk?"
    P2: "Also, Isaac is kind of a girl's name, how about we find an angsty underage actress for the part?"

  • schnide #5 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    So what are you saying, that the Twilight novels were originally some dark, macabre tomes of brooding death and destruction? The producers of Twilight just made a film from the source material they had. If you've had the priviledge of watching any of the sequels, the first Twilight film is surprisingly bearable.

    Anyway, if they made a nice mix of the first game's fear factor and the second game's action, that could work as a film. Whether it needs to or not though.. well, I say let Uwe Boll give it a go. He's not made a bad movie yet has he?

    T H E H O R R O R !

  • randompanda #6 1 year ago

    It's ok, I already have Event Horizon on DVD.

  • bburdett #7 1 year ago

    Don't worry guys, Wyck Godfrey also produced Alien vs. Predator! This is gonna be awes-oh, hang on a minute. Fuck.

  • levitate #8 1 year ago

    Put Owe Boll in charge and you've got a wining team!

  • Shikasama #9 1 year ago

    Kick ass family dynamic or no sale.

  • LeglessSheep #10 1 year ago

    "Why don't you put her in charge?!"

  • randompanda #11 1 year ago

    Every time that expensive CGI helmet armour sequence plays - and you know it'll be every time the lead finishes talking, you'll be thinking ' Damn, it would have been cooler if Joey from friends hadn't done the same in that stupid Lost In Space movie'

  • AcidSnake #12 1 year ago

    @Schnide:
    I've just seen the first one, it was most definitely not bearable...
    Boring people talking and other people glowing...That's about it...

    I'm not saying the producers were responsible for the Twilight genre, but if you're going to adapt a horror/sci-fi game into a movie I'd prefer not to read things like "From the producers of Twilight" on the official posters...

    Also, I was joking...No need to get upset...

  • randompanda #13 1 year ago

    If its got the producers of twilight behind it its more a reassurance for investors - producers have varying levels of artistic control but its unlikely the ones behind twilight are any more than financial support.

  • schnide #14 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    No I was massively upset, and you've ruined my day. You bastard.

    ps and as randompanda has adequately pointed out, make sure you understand the difference between producers, directors, writers and original authors before making jokes that don't come off :)

  • AcidSnake #15 1 year ago

    @schnide:
    Well, you did use the word priviledge...Which made it sound as though the Twilight films were holy to you or something...

    And I understand the difference between producers, writers and directors...I also know that it is not uncommon for producers to meddle with the creative side...
    Hence my original Hopefully they won't let the Twilight producers have any say in this, acknowledging that it's not a given but a possibility...

    See? :)

  • actionfitz #16 1 year ago

    "The Dead Space movie is a collaboration between EA and Twilight producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey."

    fuck right off, right now.

    When I think 'Dead Space Movie'. I think 'Event Horizon' or 'Pandorum' or 'The Thing'.
    Not fucking Twilight in space.
    If they make this movie, the focus will all be on how mopey Isaac is over his missing girlfriend Nicole...

    perhaps instead of violently dismembering necromorphs, Isaac will just 'brood' at them until they 'self-harm' their own limbs off?

  • Cronan #17 1 year ago

    I predict it'll be about as good as the previous "animated film". In other words, shit.

  • schnide #18 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    "If you've had the priviledge of watching any of the sequels, the first Twilight film is surprisingly bearable."

    Do you seriously not see what I did there?

    And no, I don't see what your point about the Twilight producers was either I'm afraid - they took the source material, and brought it to the screen. Your comment implies that the Twilight producers were responsible for what you didn't like in Twilight. The person you should therefore accordingly be afraid of having any involvement in the Dead Space movie is Stephanie Meyer.

  • AcidSnake #19 1 year ago

    @schnide:
    My point was that some producers don't just take the source material and bring it to the screen...Some try to be creative as well...Don't tell me you've never heard of movies changing radically because the producers step in for some creative control?

    That's all I was saying...

    Also, you wrote:
    Your comment implies that the Twilight producers were responsible for what you didn't like in Twilight

    Just a few post after I wrote:
    I'm not saying the producers were responsible for the Twilight genre

    Please, let's relax...I tried a joke, it obviously didn't work for you...

  • kangarootoo #20 1 year ago

    Why are people waffling on about the Twilight producers as if they wrote the material. What exactly did people think they were going to do with a series of angsty teenage vampire novels?

    If those films were made on budget, to schedule, remained faithful to the original material (whatever you might think of it) and made good profit by satisfying the target audience... then those are good producers.


    Executive producers that exert creative control are relatively few and far between, and even then their actions are limited when working with an existing franchise such as Twilight.


    That producers of a very successful series of films are even remotely interested in working in a video game adaptation should make people pleased (but then I guess, where is the fun in being pleased).

  • schnide #21 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    Yes, but that didn't happen with Twilight, so your comment was irrelevant. No harm in you admitting it :)

    Also, see: Above comment by kangarootoo.

  • arcam #22 1 year ago

    That producers of a very successful series of films are even remotely interested in working in a video game adaptation should make people pleased

    Why? Are we all so desparate to be accepted? Delight at the march towards big profits and mainstream success is best left to those in the business.

  • AcidSnake #23 1 year ago

    @schnide:
    I'm not intimately aware of the creation of Twilight therefore I don't know that for a fact, so I won't admit to anything, thank you very much...

    @kanga:
    Just a quick example though, the Alien franchise was well established and that didn't stop a massive amount of interfering with Alien 3...
    And again, I was just joking with my remarks...

  • schnide #24 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    Then I'd perhaps question the value of giving an opinion on what you don't understand.

  • AcidSnake #25 1 year ago

    @schnide:
    I understand sometimes producers interfere with the creative aspect...And, by golly, I have an opinion that this is something I wouldn't want to see happen to the Dead Space movie...
    Then, to formulate that opinion I took the base criticisms of the Twilight movies and applied them to the Dead Space game in a mock dialogue...

    And then you came along to tell me that the producers had nothing to do with how Twilight ended up creatively...Something I indeed cannot deny/affirm...
    So I've based no opinions on that part...

  • kangarootoo #26 1 year ago

    @arcam

    "Why? Are we all so desparate to be accepted?"

    "Desperate" is just a strawman.

    We don't need to be desperate to want to benefit from wider distribution of a game IP. If a Dead Space film gets made, and it makes money, that means more money in the pot for future games. That isn't desperation, its just good business sense AND it works in our favour as gamers. Pleased I said, not leaping out the window with joy, pleased... for good sound reasons.

    Besides, there are different kinds of desperation. Desperate to stand alone, keeps games "for us" and point an elitist finger at mainstream entertainment, is one other kind.


    @AcidSnake

    I know you were kidding. I hadn't read the whole thread when I commented, and things so seem to have snowballed against you.

  • Freek #27 1 year ago

    @kangarootoo

    The succes of Twilight has meant that similar angsty teenage stylings are starting to apear in other movies, see Red Riding Hood (or what ever they are calling it) , Beast, I Am Number Four.
    Turning established tales into angsty bullshit is the in thing to do now if you're movie studio. So people are mocking it.

  • kangarootoo #28 1 year ago

    @Freek

    /writes long post
    /deletes long post

    Yeah, I know :)
    Edited by kangarootoo at 22/03/11 @ 14:35

  • arcam #29 1 year ago

    @kangarootoo

    The vast majority of mainstream entertainment sucks IMO, so I see nothing wrong with an slightly elitist view towards it.

    Making mainstream money for mainstream publishers with films designed for a mainstream audience doesn't really do any favours for me as a gamer. If anything it just helps cement the position of risk-averse top-tier publishers at the expense of more interesting games companies who are smothered by AAA marketing campaigns.

    Yes I know this comment paints me as a terrible hipster elitist, but the taste of the masses sucks (I point to any weeks' chart positions as evidence) and if that makes me an elitist, so be it.
    Edited by arcam at 22/03/11 @ 14:44

  • schnide #30 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    Er, no you didn't. You said you didn't want producers making changes like they did with Twlight.

    The producers didn't change anything - not because I know anything about the production of that film - but because I know that's what the book was about in the first place.

    But more importantly, nothing was changed in terms of the tone at all.

    So if anything, you would want the producers of Twilight involved in this, because they've at least proved they can stay true to the source material. I'm no fan of Twilight, but if you're going to slag it off, you should at least know what you're talking about.

  • AcidSnake #31 1 year ago

    @schnide:
    You said you didn't want producers making changes like they did with Twlight

    Please quote the part where I make that claim...
    I said I didn't want the producers to make changes, I never said anything about them having done so in Twilight...

    Also, having already explained I saw the first movie I can slag it off as much as I want...And like I said I found it having boring dialogue with an annoying plot...That said I can see how it appeals to the target audience...

    And what I want is for the producers to cough up the money to find a capable writer/director/actor combo...

  • schnide #32 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    Then why be afraid they'd make changes?

  • AcidSnake #33 1 year ago

    @schnide:
    Because in the past some producers making creative changes have led to films being worse...I cite Alien 3 again as an example...
    Mainly because the producers are the money-people...If they think a wacky CG sidekick for Isaac would bring in more bucks they'd go for it...

    That's why...

  • schnide #34 1 year ago

    @AcidSnake

    Ah right. So you were afraid the producers who stuck to the source material of Twilight would make massive changes to Dead Space. You were knocking producers who did a decent job, even though Twilight was (imho) the best of the three films so far by far, and they stuck to the source material, because it's not your thing.

    I am with you now.

  • schnide #35 1 year ago

    ps typically speaking, in the film industry, producers are the go-betweens either side of the director, who's the creative side, and the studio, who are the money people. They liaise between the creatives and the cash to actually get a film made.

  • kangarootoo #36 1 year ago

    @arcam

    "The vast majority of mainstream entertainment sucks IMO, so I see nothing wrong with an slightly elitist view towards it."

    Well clearly. And I see nothing wrong with increasing the revenue for a game franchise by extending that franchise into other types of media. And I'm not surte the two are mutually exclusive.

    I'm not calling you elitist, I was just shooting a hole in your use of the word "desperate" :)



    @AcidSnake

    I'm not sure Alien 3 is the best example, as "producer meddling" is oversimplifying the road that film took. Google Alien 3 film scripts, there are loads of thge buggers, one of which was written by William Gibson. Its quite an interesting subject, and most of the scripts are available for legal download.

    Anyway, not saying you are wrong generally, or that I "side" with schnide (I'm not sure you two aren't just arguing for the sake of it), just that Alien 3 has a very chequered past.

  • kangarootoo #37 1 year ago

    @arcam

    Missed a bit.

    "If anything it just helps cement the position of risk-averse top-tier publishers at the expense of more interesting games companies who are smothered by AAA marketing campaigns."

    Perhaps.

    Or.

    It shows companies that investing in new IP (such as Dead Space) is less risky than it might otherwise appear, as that IP can be expanded beyond just gaming.

    General consensus seems to be that DS was a Good(tm) game, and that EA were to be applauded for going out on a limb (I say out on a limb, but I realise it wasn't that risky - its hardly Nobi Nobi boy). So if they can make a profitable film (mainstream or otherwise), and then feel more confident in going out on a limb with future IP, I say that is a good thing.

    You don't have to watch the film, and you can be absolutely elitist about the film. But if you liked the game, perhaps you can see that the horrible mainstream angsty film is a necessary evil that allows you to play more original IP games that you like?

  • schnide #38 1 year ago

    @The only other two people clearly still reading

    Well, I'm happy to agree just to disagree at this stage :)

  • AcidSnake #39 1 year ago

    @kanga:
    I've read one of them, with the main focus being on Hicks and Ripley being in a mini-coma...I liked it being on a space station, didn't like the micro-aliens though...Also heard about one taking place on a planet made entirely of wood...
    It's a fascinating story to see how they chose iterations and how they pestered Fincher...

    @schnide
    You were knocking producers who did a decent job, even though Twilight was (imho) the best of the three films so far by far, and they stuck to the source material, because it's not your thing

    Right, because my original post is a hate filled death-threat to the producers of Twilight...
    I was making a joke, not pressing the point how the producers had ruined Twilight or anything like that...

    And yes, I am simplifying things about the producers, but what side of the fence do producers fall in your opinion? The "keeping the original vision intact" side, or the "the studio thinks changing things makes more money" side?...

    EDIT: Fine, truce then... :)
    No hard feelings 'n all...
    Edited by AcidSnake at 22/03/11 @ 16:10

  • randompanda #40 1 year ago

    Alien 3 is actually a decent film that overcame massive production issues. Plus it has some brilliant early examples of Fincher's style.

    The 3rd film was never going to have Cameron on board so it was best they didn't try continue with his vision.

  • jack24 #41 1 year ago

    So DJ Caruso is bumming both this and the preacher series. Sad times.

  • thevoxyn #42 1 year ago

    I'm not sure why anyone in *this* comment section is trying to stand up for Twilight in the first place considering the target audience there is teenage girls...

  • roneohseven #43 1 year ago

    I predict "Sparklemorphs"...that is all.

  • Amsjex #44 1 year ago

    now i hate twilight as much as anyone with intelligence and having lived through all the horrific video game to movie garbage over the years. What will really determine how good the movie might be is how much say Visceral Games have. if they got fucked on the contract and can only look on from the side lines then yea expect it to get nerfed down to the 15 age rating so they can get more money.

    If Visceral actually have a creative say in the production then i'm hoping they have the balls and creative ability to read a script and if it makes a mockery of everything they made to just reject it. hell if Shinji Mikami had told Paul W.S. Anderson where to stick his Resident Evil scripts we might actually have a decent resident evil film.

    Doesn't mean its gonna look amazing, have the perfect actors and not have an advert which puts empathsis on Isaac's relationship and tags the twilight producers because thats the sort of stuff producers and directors do get almost unilateral control over, but at the very least the narrative will be solid even if it did end up with Michael Bay directing it.

  • Architect_z #45 1 year ago

    Get Zack Snyder to direct it, Jerry Bruckheimer to produce it, and i'll happily see this movie.

    O and don't use any CGI, models always look better and more realistic. (See the film 'The Thing' or 'Jurassic Park' for proof of this.)
    Edited by Architect_z at 15/04/11 @ 17:50

  • Mannerless #46 12 months ago

    After reading some of the stupid crap here I have to just say... Come on guys what the hell?

    We've all obviously played the epic thrill ride edge of the seat super game that was Dead Space 1 and 2, and if your as crazy about it as me, you read the novel and watched the animated movies to boot, but why sit there and drool negativity over their movie idea?

    If Visceral was able to bring us two HOLY SHIT games in a row, why the hell would their movie not be as super awesome as their games, considering most of their game play in DS2 had cinematic experiences in it witch made the game beyond epic.

    As for the Twilight crew, umm, yeah they didn't write the novels okay, they just made them into movies and did it really well considering their superior details and screen play. Its not their fault the books were homo.

    I will say this though, I just hope the movie will have the necessary level of horror, mega blood and violence and thrilling storyline that made all of us sick bastard play the games in the first place!

  • Gabumon #47 11 months ago

    From most comments i read, its like people think ever since Twilight came it changed the course of history of how vampires and werewolves was like forever. I for one see Vamps and Wolves in a different point of view. Underworld Evolution movie.

    Underworld Evolution movie is like untouchable Twilight can't touch that movie even Underworld Rise of the lycan movie.


    So basically anything that has to do with vampires or werewolves made by someone else i know people are going to be its a copy of twilight movie like how people think most games are copy's of World of Warcraft how stupid. I for one never think that way, i know for sure the only thing on people's minds is "Twilight this and Twilight that" see hoe much history on how vamps and wolves should be that was changed its never the same anymore. Underworld Evolution is like the only true vampire and werewolf movie.

    Underworld Evolution movie Forever! Vamps and werewolves history should be left unchanged both race has great history no one should alter there history of how they should be like or weakness too.
    Edited by Gabumon at 25/06/11 @ 03:39

  • TamakiSakura #48 8 months ago

    Well, I've been thinking a lot about the film(s) adaption of this franchise. In my opinion, the first Dead Space was a really horrifying gaming experience (though, I've never played the actual game but even only watching walkthroughs, it scared me to death) and it also had the scents of suspense and mysteries solving themes in it, which were great. Another thing was that the game also displayed humanity's hunger for endless energy sources that led into the destruction of the characters in the game.

    The second game (Dead Space 2) also did the same thing as the first but added some elements of action films. Therefore, there must be the third one, which might be the last of the trilogy (not including the prequels though).

    As a fan of this franchise, I've come with the title of the film, which is "Dead Space Trilogy". For the directors, I think Ti West (The House of the Devil), Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner), Christopher Nolan (Inception, Memento) and Christophe Gans (Silent Hill film adaption) might be good choices besides from D.J. Caruso. I don't know what you guys think but I do respect your thoughts.
    Edited by TamakiSakura at 03/10/11 @ 15:47