At the "LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW NEW PROJECT" special stage event held on the main stage of Tokyo Game Show 2026 (TGS 2026), officials officially announced that Lollipop Chain Saw is being adapted into a movie, marking the 2012 game's expansion into the film industry.
Dragami Games is adapting Lollipop Chain Saw into a live-action film. This new movie is planned as an R-rated action-comedy and will serve as a prequel to the 2012 game of the same name.
The Lollipop Chain Saw Movie Will Tell Juliet's Story Before the Original Game
The film will once again feature Juliet Starling, the high school cheerleader and zombie hunter from the game, as its protagonist. Set before the events of the original game, the story follows a zombie outbreak at Juliet's school, forcing her to protect her friends and family while safeguarding her boyfriend, Nick.
The project is being developed by an international team including Joe Teng, owner of Nada Holdings; Robert Franke, former Head of TV Series at ZDF Studios; Takafumi Yuki, General Manager of Throne Inc.; Kirk Shaw of Ambitious Entertainment; and Patricio Rabuffetti of Non Stop TV. Dragami Games has licensed the game but has not yet announced the studio, publisher, or distribution plans.
What information has been revealed about the live-action film so far?
Shohei Sato, President of Dragami Games, stated that the film represents another breakthrough for the series. Robert Franke added that the team aims to create a film that stays true to the original Lollipop Chain Saw while delivering a unique action-horror comedy experience. This aligns with the series' traditional adaptation style, now incorporating the element of undead teenagers.
No cast, release date, or director information has been announced yet. IGN also noted that James Gunn, co-writer of the original game, and designer Goichi Suda (Suda51) have not announced their involvement in the film production, so their participation should not be assumed.
The Full-Scale Revival of Lollipop Chain Saw
The live-action film marks a full-scale revival of the franchise. Dragami released Lollipop Chain Saw RePOP in 2024 and announced a new game, Lollipop Chain Saw 2 Back2Back, along with plans for an animated series. According to Deadline, the film is aimed at a global audience.
Lollipop Chain Saw was originally released in 2012, featuring Juliet, a high school girl from a family of zombie hunters, as she battles hordes of zombies with her chainsaw. The game blends vibrant American pop culture aesthetics, dark humor, and gory violence. A remastered version, Lollipop Chain Saw RePOP, was released in 2024, and the brand-new sequel, Lollipop Chain Saw 2 Back2Back, was officially unveiled at this year's Tokyo Game Show (TGS), scheduled for release on PS5 in 2027.