10 Celebrated Horror Directors That Made Video Games

Game Credits: Lollipop Chainsaw

At the moment, James Gunn is very much known as Mr. Superhero. Not only did he direct recent high-profile entries like this year’s Superman and the celebrated, genre-subverting Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, but he also happens to be the co-head of DC Studios.

Make no mistake, though, Gunn broke into the industry as a tried-and-true horror filmmaker. He began with the irreverently grimy Troma Studios before exploding onto the scene as the screenwriter of the Dawn of the Dead remake in 2004, then directing the grossly enjoyable Slither, and producing or writing various other horror projects like Brightburn and The Belko Experiment.

Those genre credentials are what brought him on board for his one major collaboration with the video game industry: Lollipop Chainsaw, for wild-child developer Suda51. The game features third-person chainsaw combat via a happy-go-lucky cheerleader against hordes of foul-mouthed undead. The title aimed to homage American horror comedies of yesteryear, and Gunn was the perfect fit. His trademark quippy dialogue and familiar stable of actors, including Michael Rooker, Greg Henry, and Sean Gunn, give the whole thing the feel of a lost movie from his filmography. And to be honest, given the soggy gameplay, it’s a shame it wasn’t a film, because the fun story and sharp voice acting are what really make the title stand out.

This would be Gunn’s only time working in the game industry, though he has hinted at wanting to be more hands-on with future DC-related licensed games. Let’s see if he follows through.