Dragami Games has confirmed a live-action Lollipop Chainsaw movie, an R-rated prequel film about cheerleader zombie hunter Juliet Starling. The project was unveiled at Tokyo Game Show on September 18, 2026, and it marks the cult action series first step onto the big screen.
Quick Facts
- Project: Live-action Lollipop Chainsaw prequel film
- Rating target: R-rated action comedy
- Announced: Tokyo Game Show, September 18, 2026
- License holder: Dragami Games
- Producers: Joe Teng, Robert Franke, Takafumi Yuki, Kirk Shaw, Patricio Rabuffetti
- Release date: Not yet announced
A Prequel Set Before the School Outbreak
Rather than retelling the 2012 game, the film takes place before its events and follows Juliet Starling before the zombie outbreak hits San Romero High School. The plan is to make an R-rated action comedy, which fits a franchise built around Juliet slicing through zombies with a chainsaw while leaning into its over the top sense of humor. The movie is designed to stand on its own, so newcomers can enjoy it without having played the original, while longtime fans should still recognize the style and attitude that made the series a cult favorite. Deadline first reported the project and described it as a prequel centered on Juliet.
An International Production Team
The film comes under license from Dragami Games and is being assembled by an international group of producers. The team includes Nada Holdings boss Joe Teng, former ZDF Studios drama chief Robert Franke with his Orange Chariot outfit, Throne Inc managing director Takafumi Yuki, Ambitious Entertainment producer Kirk Shaw, and Non Stop TV producer Patricio Rabuffetti. Dragami Games president Shohei Sato said the company is excited to see its vision take another important step with the first live action feature in franchise history, adding that the team understands what makes Lollipop Chainsaw special while getting room to create something new. Franke told Deadline the goal is to stay true to the spirit of the game while delivering a movie that works on its own terms.
Part of a Wider Franchise Push
The movie is only one piece of a larger expansion. A sequel game, Lollipop Chainsaw 2 Back2Back, is headed to PlayStation 5 in 2027, and an animated series is also in the works. The announcements landed during a busy Tokyo Game Show for the franchise, where the new game was playable on the show floor. Anime News Network reports the film was revealed during a livestreamed presentation at the show, with the producers aiming for a Hollywood style production built for audiences around the world. The team has pitched the project as a new model for building globally recognized entertainment franchises from Asia.
What Is Still Unknown
It is still early days for the production. No director or major Western film studio is attached yet, and casting for Juliet Starling has not been revealed. There is no production timeline or release date at this stage. One notable absence is James Gunn, who co-wrote the original game before his move into steering the DC universe, and neither Gunn nor original creator Suda51 has been named as part of the film team. Polygon notes that fans hoping for a reunion of the original creative team should keep expectations in check for now. Dragami Games acquired the series rights in the early 2020s and re-released the original as Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP in 2024, and the company is clearly betting that Juliet still has an audience more than a decade later.
Is the Lollipop Chainsaw movie a prequel?
Yes. The live action film is set before the events of the original game and follows Juliet Starling before the zombie outbreak at San Romero High School.
Who will play Juliet Starling in the movie?
No casting has been announced. The production team has not revealed who will take on the role of Juliet, and no director is attached yet either.
Is James Gunn involved in the Lollipop Chainsaw movie?
Neither James Gunn nor Suda51 has been named as part of the film team. Gunn co-wrote the original 2012 game but is currently focused on his DC universe work.
When is the Lollipop Chainsaw movie release date?
There is no release date yet. The project was announced at Tokyo Game Show in September 2026, and production timelines are still to be confirmed.
Is a new Lollipop Chainsaw game coming too?
Yes. Lollipop Chainsaw 2 Back2Back is scheduled for PlayStation 5 in 2027, and an animated series is also in development alongside the film.
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