Iconic Horror Video Game Adaptation to Hit the Silver Screen

Essential Insights

Lionsgate is adapting Red Barrels’ Outlast into a horror film.
Known for its terrifying gameplay, Outlast features a gripping storyline that could translate well to cinema.
There is potential for an entire film series based on the Outlast franchise.

Video game intellectual properties are highly sought after in Hollywood at the moment, with another beloved franchise now in the spotlight. The iconic horror game Outlast, developed by Red Barrels, is on its way to the silver screen.

First launched in 2013, Outlast quickly earned its place as one of the most frightening video games. The narrative revolves around an investigative journalist, Miles Upshar, who probes into the Mount Massive Asylum, a psychiatric facility nestled in the isolated mountains of Colorado. Inside, Miles encounters far more than he anticipated, facing off against the asylum’s unhinged residents. The game received positive feedback upon its initial release and still boasts an impressive score of 80 on Metacritic.

Outlast Movie Adaptation Confirmed by Lionsgate

News has emerged that Outlast is making its way to the cinema, as reported by Bloody Disgusting. The project is being developed by Lionsgate, a studio known for its horror hits like SAW and The Descent. Producer Roy Lee, recognized for his work on films like It, Barbarian, and Blair Witch, is attached to oversee the film’s production. J.T. Petty, a writer for the Outlast game series, will be crafting the screenplay, ensuring a faithful rendition of the original story. David Chateauneuf, Red Barrels’ creative director, described the project as a “dream come true,” while Lee emphasized the game’s “rich lore as the ideal backdrop for an exploration of the psychological and physical terrors inherent to the series.”

“When Outlast debuted in 2012, it transformed the horror gaming landscape, establishing a new benchmark for immersion in the genre. Its profound and evolving lore provides a superb basis for a film that can explore the psychological and physical terror at the franchise’s core. I’m thrilled to bring this distinctive universe to life for both newcomers and longtime fans.”

Potential for Outlast to Evolve into a Horror Film Franchise

Currently, the project is in its early stages, with no cast or director confirmed. It’s yet to be determined if the Outlast film will adapt the storyline of the first game or focus on Outlast: Whistleblowers, which serves as a prequel exploring the experiences of Waylon Park, the whistleblower who contacts Miles about the asylum. If the film adaptation achieves success, there’s a promising opportunity to expand the Outlast universe into a franchise, paving the way to adapt Outlast 2, set in the Arizona desert with a different cast of characters. Additionally, the series branched into multiplayer territory with Outlast Trials, a prequel positioned during the Cold War that tasks players to survive while evading horrific killers.

Outlast is merely the most recent title among several horror games transitioning to film. Meanwhile, the Until Dawn movie adaptation—a retelling of Supermassive’s interactive horror experience—has recently completed filming and announced its release date. Also, following the success of the 2023 adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s, Blumhouse is gearing up to start production on Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and is eyeing a film adaptation of Dead by Daylight. Furthermore, the Silent Hill collection is set to continue with a third installment titled Return to Silent Hill. As such, when the Outlast movie finally premieres, it will face considerable competition at the box office.

An Outlast film is currently underway.

Source

Images Credit: Gamerant.com