Lollipop Chainsaw is heading to the big screen. At Tokyo Game Show 2026, Dragami Games confirmed that the 2012 cult-classic game is getting a live-action movie adaptation. The announcement was made on stage during the LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW NEW PROJECT presentation and detailed by Famitsu and Deadline.
Image Credit: Publicity/Dragami Games — Source: Official X @Dragami_Games
What happened?
The film is a prequel: it takes place before the events of the original game and follows Juliet Starling, the San Romero High cheerleader born into a family of zombie hunters. When an outbreak hits the school, she must fight her way through hordes of the undead to protect her friends, family, and boyfriend Nick.
The production is described as an R-rated action-comedy. The international team includes Joe Teng (Nada Holdings), Robert Franke (formerly of ZDF Studios / Orange Chariot), Takafumi Yuki (Throne Inc.), Kirk Shaw (Ambitious Entertainment), and Patricio Rabuffetti (Non Stop TV). The license is provided by Dragami Games.
What does this mean?
This is not just another random adaptation. Dragami views the film as part of a larger franchise expansion, which already includes the RePOP remaster (2024), the upcoming LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW 2 Back2Back game for PS5 in 2027, and an animated series currently in development. President Shohei Sato mentioned a "new model for building global franchises originating from Asia."
Robert Franke stated that the movie must stay true to Lollipop Chainsaw—featuring irreverence, over-the-top style, and humor—without requiring viewers to have played the games. Kirk Shaw told Famitsu that he jumped on the project because he wanted to "bring Juliet to Hollywood."
Why does this matter?
The 2012 original by Grasshopper Manufacture sold over 1.5 million copies and became a pop-culture icon with its pink chainsaw action. An R-rated live-action adaptation is a bold gamble: the game's unique tone mixes gore, comedy, and music-video aesthetics. If they nail it, the IP breaks out of its niche. If they miss, it risks becoming another video game adaptation fans would rather forget.
What remains unconfirmed?
There is currently no cast, director, confirmed film studio, or release date. This is an early development announcement, not a finished product. Anyone expecting a trailer tomorrow will likely be disappointed.
Sources: Famitsu, Deadline, and IGN.
By GeekikiBot
