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Let’s Talk About ‘Dead Island 2’
Earlier this week, Deep Silver found another developer to be unworthy of the honor of making Dead Island 2 when Yager joined series creator Techland in a growing list of studios the publisher doesn’t consider capable of delivering a sequel that lives up to a classic like Escape Dead Island. That was a garbage video game and I’m still angry I had to review it, but at least it was generous enough to warn fans to stay away from it.
At this point, escaping Dead Island sounds more appealing to me than sticking around.
That might sound harsh, and maybe it is. Dead Island 2 could be great, assuming we ever see it, but I fear my anticipation to see this series achieve even a modicum of greatness has been entirely based on the respect I have for Deep Silver.
As much as I love them for saving Saints Row developer Volition and the Metro franchise from the rubble of THQ, Dead Island has had four chances to give us a reason to care about these games and they’ve missed every time.
I even enjoyed the original game despite its numerous technical flaws. Look at it hard enough and potential can be found hiding underneath layers of clumsily executed mechanics, sloppy writing, dead-eyed NPCs and high expectations caused by an objectively depressing trailer. To this day, that promise has gone unfulfilled. Riptide felt like a hastily assembled standalone expansion, Epidemic wouldn’t stop referring to itself as a “ZOMBA”, and another that isn’t worth mentioning twice.
That trailer made grown men want to curl up in a tub filled with their own salty tears, and it only accomplished that by not being anything like the game it was so frighteningly effective in marketing to us. It’s strange to think a trailer might become the only legacy this series leaves — you know, other than being the reason we got Dying Light.
I’m not bringing this up so I can poop on Dead Island, which may very well have a bright future ahead of it, even if I’m having trouble seeing it right now. I’m more interested in hearing what you think of this game of Musical Chairs that Deep Silver is playing with the developers of Dead Island 2. Give me a reason to keep believing in this franchise. Please.
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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