Development is early, with momentum but unresolved questions about casting, tone, and release timing.

Dragami Games unveiled a live-action prequel to Lollipop Chainsaw at Tokyo Game Show 2026, pitched as an R-rated action comedy centered on Juliet Starling during a zombie outbreak at her high school.

The Lollipop Chainsaw IP remains popular since its 2012 release, boasting over 1.5 million copies sold and a remastered edition, with an animated series in the works as part of a broader franchise expansion.

The prequel will echo the spirit of the 2012 game, which was developed by Grasshopper Manufacture with James Gunn having been a writer, and aims to broaden the franchise beyond the original title.

Dragami emphasizes preserving the franchise’s spirit while creating something new, though no cast or release date has been announced.

Five independent production companies are developing the project with Dragami controlling the rights; there is no distributor yet and James Gunn is not expected to be involved.

Dragami president Shohei Sato and producer Franke express enthusiasm about a first live-action feature for the franchise and collaborating with an experienced international team.

Sato and Franke stress the film will stay true to Lollipop Chainsaw’s attitude while standing on its own to attract both longtime fans and newcomers.

The international collaboration and balance of attitude, irreverence, and action-horror comedy are highlighted as key aims to reach a broad audience.

Producers acknowledge that while the prequel will retain the original’s irreverent tone, there are questions about whether the film can capture that vibe without James Gunn.

The project involves an international team including Nada Holdings and other executives, but there is no confirmation of involvement from Suda51 or Gunn at this stage.

The live-action project is separate from an announced anime and game sequel, with no director, distributor, or release window disclosed yet.