The feature film adaptation of the hit horror video game, Dead by Daylight, has found its director.
Thordur Palsson (The Damned, The Valhalla Murders) has been tapped by Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Behaviour Interactive, the largest Canadian gaming studio, to helm the project. The announcement came during Dead by Daylight’s 10th anniversary celebration in Montreal’s Old Port.
“There is no better moment than the tenth anniversary to share this news. Thordur is the filmmaker we trust to carry Dead by Daylight from the screen you play on to the big screen you watch in theaters,” Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse Atomic Monster, said in a statement.
James Wan, founder and CEO of Blumhouse Atomic Monster, added, “Thordur understands that the terror only lands if you care about who’s running, and The Damned proved he can make you feel the walls closing in. That is exactly the instinct this film needs on screen.”
The film’s plot details haven’t been revealed, but the video game centers on a crazed killer whose goal is to hunt down a group of survivors and sacrifice them to a malevolent entity, all while the survivors work together to try and escape.
Stephen Mulrooney, chief product officer for Behaviour Interactive and a producer on the Dead by Daylight movie, also praised the Icelandic filmmaker, saying, “His distinct vision, atmospheric storytelling, and ability to build tension make him the perfect creative voice to bring our universe to life in a way that will resonate with both longtime fans and new audiences alike.”
Palsson is repped by Sayle Screen, CAA, Sycamore Media and Jackoway Tyerman.
A release date for Dead by Daylight has yet to be announced.