Essential Points
- A film adaptation of Dead by Daylight is being developed by Jason Blum and James Wan.
- There is currently no specific schedule for the script’s completion or the film’s release; it could range from one to five years.
- Jason Blum compares the Dead by Daylight project to the production of Five Nights at Freddy’s, which spanned a decade.
Blumhouse Productions is actively involved in various video game adaptations, with upcoming projects like Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and even establishing its own game publishing division. Among these exciting endeavors, fans are eagerly looking forward to updates on the Dead by Daylight movie.
The announcement for the Dead by Daylight film came in March 2023, spearheaded by renowned horror figures Jason Blum from Blumhouse and James Wan of Atomic Monster. The adaptation is also being developed in conjunction with Behaviour Interactive, the studio behind the original video game. First launched in 2016, Dead by Daylight is a multiplayer experience where one player assumes the role of a killer, while the others strive to survive. Over the years, the game has seen collaborations with iconic horror characters, featuring the likes of Michael Myers, Pyramid Head, and the xenomorph from Alien. This collaboration between two of horror’s biggest names and one of the most popular horror-themed games seemed promising; however, over a year has passed with little information on the film’s progress.
Current Developments for the Dead by Daylight Film
Recently at New York Comic Con, producer Jason Blum shared promising updates regarding the film adaptation of Dead by Daylight. In an interview with ComicBook.com, he confirmed that the script is currently in development, although he did not disclose which writer is involved. “We refrain from scheduling movies until we’ve secured the right script,” Blum explained, which is why there’s no timeline for the Dead by Daylight film’s release.
Blum appeared optimistic about the ongoing adaptation process, stating, “It took ten years to bring Five Nights at Freddy’s to fruition, and I believe one reason for its eventual success was the extensive time spent perfecting it.” The production of Five Nights at Freddy’s indeed faced a challenging decade of development, cycling through numerous writers and directors until Emma Tammi took the helm. It ultimately became Blumhouse’s highest-earning film globally, leading to a sequel that’s set to debut in December 2025. In light of this, Blum noted that there is currently no defined schedule for the Dead by Daylight script, suggesting a timeframe of anywhere from one year to five years.
It took ten years to make Five Nights at Freddy’s, and I think one of the reasons the movie worked is because we spent ten years trying to get it right.
Blum’s willingness to take his time with the Dead by Daylight movie reflects an understanding of the intricate history of video game adaptations, many of which have been poorly received. Conversely, successful titles such as The Last of Us, the Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Five Nights at Freddy’s indicate a newfound era of promising adaptations. However, the unique challenges presented by the Dead by Daylight gameplay, which emphasizes player choice in its multiplayer format, will require careful consideration in adapting it for film. Fortunately, the film’s basis—a story that revolves around a killer targeting victims and offering them as sacrifices to a dark entity—presents a compelling narrative premise for a horror movie. Furthermore, the game’s diverse range of killer characters promises ample creative material for unexpected twists within the film’s plot.
A Dead by Daylight movie is currently under development, with no official release date announced yet.
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