Paul W.S. Anderson’s The House Of The Dead Film Confirms Isabela Merced Casting

Paul W.S. Anderson has revealed during a statement to Deadline that Isabela Merced has been cast as the lead in his upcoming The House of the Dead movie.

Merced is best know for her roles in Superman, Alien Romulus, and The Last of Us, the latter of which she starred alongside Bella Ramsey during the second season as Dina. Anderson’s The House of the Dead movie was announced back in 2024, and now appears that Sega are planning for the film to serve as the start of a “tentpole franchise.”

The House of the Dead is a game I have loved for many years, and I’m beyond thrilled to be bringing this to the big screen with such an exciting talent as Isabela at its heart. We envisage this as the start of a tentpole franchise which can explore the rich world and lore that Sega has created over a whole series of films.

Anderson, who is probably best known among gamers as the director of Mortal Kombat (1995) and the creative mind behind the Milla Jovovich-starring Resident Evil movies, will serve as director and writer of The House of the Dead. Fans will probably recall this isn’t the first time that Sega’s zombie blaster has been adapted for the big screen, as Uwe Boll released his own film back in 2003.

The House of the Dead is going to follow the events of The House of the Dead III, and follows Lisa Rogan, who is attempting to save her father. Daniel Curien, the son of the scientist who was responsible for the undead shenanigans in the original game, will also be featured in the movie.

The House of the Dead was originally released for the arcades in 1997 in the US and Japan, with a Sega Saturn port following in 1998. Numerous sequels followed over the years, and the game the new film is based on, The House of the Dead III, arrived in arcades in 2002 and was ported to the Xbox in 2003. Wii and PS3 versions followed in 2008 and 2012, respectively.

[Source – Deadline]