Movie audiences are set to be taken into a new twisted world, with the Outlast video game franchise now getting the live-action movie treatment. The first game was released in 2013 and took players into the halls of Mount Massive Asylum, a psychiatric hospital overrun by its tortured and monstrous inmates. With the first game's success, Outlast has become a larger franchise, with 2017's Outlast 2, 2024's The Outlast Trials, and a third game in development since 2017.

With the Outlast franchise becoming one of the most terrifying new series to release within the last 20 years, Lionsgate has acquired the video game's rights and is set to bring the horror to the big screen with a live-action adaptation. The production will be guided by Roy Lee, whose credits include It and It Chapter Two, Barbarian, and the Until Dawn movie. J.T. Perry will also return to the franchise to help develop the screenplay after having written for all three games.

While no director has currently been approved, Lee, Perry, and series developer Red Barrels' creative director David Chateauneuf have released statements where they shared their excitement about translating the series from the video game format to the big screen. Read them below:

Lee: When Outlast launched in 2012, it changed the landscape of horror gaming, setting a new standard for immersion in the genre. Its deep, emergent lore has provided a perfect foundation for creating a film that delves into the psychological and physical horrors at the core of the franchise. I’m excited to bring this unique world to life for both new viewers and the series’ dedicated fans.

Perry: Red Barrels has been pushing the limits of horror in games for more than a decade, and expanding the Outlast Universe into film is an incredible opportunity to dive deeper into the characters and killers we love.”

Chateauneuf: As die-hard fans of horror across every medium, at Red Barrels we are great irers of Roy Lee’s and Lionsgate’s work. Horror movies old and new have had an undeniable impact on our franchise over the years, and to now have the opportunity to work on an Outlast film with true horror legends is a dream, or should I say, nightmare, come true.

Why Outlast May Be Perfect For A Movie Adaptation

The Series' Gameplay May Fit Perfectly Into A Tried And Tested Subgenre

2024 has already seen a selection of horror video game franchises prepare to make the leap from consoles to theater, including a first glimpse at the Silent Hill franchise's movie reboot with Return to Silent Hill and the multiplayer hit Dead By Daylight set to be adapted into a feature-length production. However, Outlast seems uniquely equipped to translate from game to screen, thanks to its gameplay.

In the original Outlast game, lead character Mike Upshur is forced to use his camcorder to observe the Asylum, relying on the device's night-vision settings to navigate its corridors. While this unique gameplay design created an immersive experience for players, it could also aid in the translation by seeing the movie adaptation be shot in the style of a found footage movie akin to The Blair Witch Project and the REC series.

Our Thoughts On Outlast's Movie Adaptation

The Horror Feature Could Make Up For Lionsgate's Past Video Game Movie Mistakes

Outlast was released during an interesting period for horror titles. Not only were more established franchises such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill dormant after various titles received mixed to poor responses, but the rise of Let's Play channels on YouTube allowed audiences to share in the horror. As such, not only was Outlast able to stand on its own merits, but took advantage of a time when the genre was booming in popularity with little established competition.

While Lionsgate's last video game adaptation, Borderlands, has become one of 2024's most infamous box-office bombs, the involvement of Lee and Perry has already shown that the feature has the of those familiar with what made the original video games a success. As such, longtime players may be eager to give Outlast a chance once the horrors of Mount Massive are put on screen.

Source: Lionsgate