'Lollipop Chainsaw', the chainsaw cheerleader action game that recently unveiled its new title 'Back2Back', is now heading to the big screen.
Dragami Games announced during a stage presentation at TGS 2026 on September 19 that a live-action film based on 'Lollipop Chainsaw' is in production. The movie is set to be an R-rated action comedy and a prequel taking place before the events of the original game.
Just as in the original game, the main character is Juliet Starling, a cheerleader born into a family of zombie hunters. The story follows Juliet as she picks up her chainsaw to fight off zombies and protect her friends, family, and boyfriend Nick when a zombie outbreak hits San Romero High School.
The film's production team includes Joe Teng of Nada Holdings, Robert Franke of Orange Chariot, Takafumi Yuki of Throne, Kirk Shaw of Ambitious Entertainment, and Patricio Rabuffetti of Non Stop TV.
Producer Robert Franke shared plans to create a standalone work while remaining faithful to the original game's unique spirit. He explained that the production aims to maintain the over-the-top expression and humor that existing fans remember while allowing audiences who haven't played the game to enjoy it as an action-horror comedy on its own.
'Lollipop Chainsaw' is an action game released in 2012 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It drew attention for its unique premise of Juliet Starling—the youngest daughter of a zombie-hunting family and a cheerleader—wielding a chainsaw to battle zombies, along with its B-movie style presentation.
It is especially well known as a project in which Japanese game developer Goichi Suda participated as creative director. Goichi Suda, a prominent game creator at Grasshopper Manufacture who made titles such as 'No More Heroes' and 'Killer7', has presented works that combine unique direction, exaggerated depictions of violence, and subculture elements.
Hollywood film director James Gunn also participated in writing the scenario for the original game. James Gunn later directed Marvel Studios' 'Guardians of the Galaxy' series as well as DC's 'The Suicide Squad' and 'Superman', and currently serves as co-CEO of DC Studios. 'Lollipop Chainsaw' was one of the game projects he worked on before gaining the global recognition he has today.
Following the original game's release, the remaster 'Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP' featuring improved graphics and gameplay systems was released in 2024. Recently, the official sequel 'Lollipop Chainsaw 2 Back2Back' was also revealed, currently in development with a target release in 2027.
Specific details regarding the live-action movie's director, cast, and release date have not yet been disclosed.
