After several years of anticipation since its initial announcement, the highly awaited movie adaptation of a popular horror video game is finally moving forward. The trend of video game adaptations has surged in popularity over the last five years, with notable successes like the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, the animated Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Prime Video’s Fallout capturing the hearts of audiences and proving profitable for their studios. Consequently, many production companies are eager to join the movement, with adaptations of titles ranging from It Takes Two to Street Fighter currently in development.

Among the various genres of video game adaptations, the horror genre has gained significant traction. The Resident Evil franchise, starring Milla Jovovich, stands as one of the earliest and most successful examples, paving the way for a recent boom in horror adaptations. A standout in this surge is Blumhouse’s record-setting Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, which is already generating buzz for a sequel. Additionally, Sony has just launched their Until Dawn film, while adaptations of Outlast and Bendy and the Ink Machine are in the pipeline, alongside projects featuring other viral sensations.

The Cast of The Mortuary Assistant Movie Features Key Talent

Project Announcement and Development Timeline

Publisher DreadXP, alongside its parent company Epic Pictures Group, officially announced their plans to create a film adaptation of the The Mortuary Assistant in 2022. The project is being led by Jeremiah Kipp, who has been chosen to write and direct this adaptation. The original horror game immerses players in the role of Rebecca Owens, a young woman who embarks on her new job at a small-town mortuary in 1998 Connecticut. During an emergency night shift, she is haunted by a demon that seeks to possess her. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, The Mortuary Assistant gained a massive following on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, turning it into a viral sensation.

Recent updates from Deadline reveal that The Mortuary Assistant movie has successfully cast Willa Holland and Paul Sparks in lead roles. Willa Holland, famed for her portrayal of Thea Queen in the Arrowverse, is set to play the protagonist Rebecca Owens. Paul Sparks, well-known for his appearances in House of Cards and Physical, will take on the role of the foreboding mortuary owner, Raymond Delver. Currently, filming is taking place in Missouri, and sources have described the film as “a new chapter in the story that will delve deeper into the mythology and lore of the demonic entities haunting River Fields.”

Kipp and Clarke have also shared their thoughts with the publication regarding the ongoing development of The Mortuary Assistant. The writer-director expressed confidence that the movie will focus on “character-driven storytelling within a disturbing horror landscape,” while the creator of the game commended Kipp, Epic Pictures, and the cast for “adding their own unique cinematic flair” to the adaptation. Below are their statements:

Jeremiah Kipp: Brian Clarke and I are committed to character-driven storytelling within a disturbing horror landscape. Given that his influences have largely been cinematic, the entire process has naturally felt like an expansion of his unique gameplay. We’ve successfully captured the atmosphere of profound dread that resonated with players – this movie is bound to be terrifying.

Brian Clarke: Witnessing The Mortuary Assistant evolve from a simple prototype into a full-fledged feature film is beyond anything I could have envisioned as a solo developer. Jeremiah Kipp is an incredibly talented director, and collaborating with him has been one of the greatest highlights of my career. Kipp and the entire team at Epic Pictures have done an extraordinary job of preserving the spirit of the game while introducing their own unique cinematic elements. It is a privilege to see Willa and Paul breathe life into these characters, alongside the rest of the film crew. I feel immensely grateful and eagerly anticipate fans experiencing The Mortuary Assistant as it explores new dimensions.

Implications for The Mortuary Assistant Movie’s Future

Potential for a Franchise Success Story

While the film still has significant milestones to reach, including production, post-production, and eventual distribution, the fact that The Mortuary Assistant is assembling its cast and commencing filming is an encouraging development. Depending on the scope of production that Kipp and his creative team are pursuing, filming is expected to conclude by the end of summer and could potentially premiere for audiences by Summer 2026.

One of the most intriguing aspects highlighted in this latest update is that the The Mortuary Assistant film won’t merely serve as a direct adaptation of the game; instead, it will represent a new chapter within the universe of the source material. This innovative approach opens up exciting possibilities for Epic Pictures and Kipp to establish a franchise if the film garners success. The Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, along with its anticipated sequel and the recent Minecraft Movie, have demonstrated that fan-favorite games can draw significant audiences to theaters while simultaneously creating expansive universes based on their original games.

Given that The Mortuary Assistant game does not have a definitive conclusion, leaving room for a sequel or spin-off, Kipp and the filmmaking team can adopt a similar strategy for the movie. With Clarke’s endorsement and involvement in the film, it could significantly influence the game’s fanbase’s acceptance of the adaptation and facilitate the development of additional narratives.

Source: Deadline