Arrow Star Willa Holland to Lead "THE MORTUARY ASSISTANT" Film Adaptation

Willa Holland, popularly known for playing Thea Queen in CW's Arrow, has been cast as the lead in the upcoming horror film "The Mortuary Assistant," based on the popular video game of the same name.

According to Deadline, Holland will star alongside Paul Sparks (House of Cards, Boardwalk Empire) in this adaptation of Brian Clarke's bestselling horror game.

The project is being produced by Epic Pictures under its specialty horror label Dread, in partnership with Traverse Media.

The game's narrative, set in 1998 at River Fields Mortuary in Connecticut, puts players in the role of Rebecca Owens, a former heroin addict who recently graduated from mortuary school. During what should be a routine night shift, Rebecca discovers she's locked in with a demon attempting to possess her. Players must perform realistic embalming procedures while also identifying and banishing the demon hiding in one of the cadavers.

Sparks will play Raymond Delver, Rebecca's mortician boss who appears to serve as a mentor but might also pose a potential threat. The film aims to expand on the game's world and mythology, exploring the lore of the demonic entities that haunt River Fields Mortuary.

Director Jeremiah Kipp, known for the Shudder Original "Slapface," is helming the project. Kipp and the game's creator Brian Clarke have collaborated closely on the adaptation. The screenplay was adapted by Tracee Beebe and Brian Clarke, ensuring the film maintains the spirit of the original game while adding new cinematic elements.

The production is being financed by Epic Pictures and UK-based Creativity Capital.

The game that inspired the film was originally released on Steam for PC in 2022 before expanding to consoles including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

The game received strong reviews upon release, with 92% positive reviews on Steam from over 6,000 users. Critics praised its tense atmosphere, innovative mechanics, and replayability.

Holland brings significant television experience to the role, having starred in seven seasons of "Arrow" as Thea Queen/Speedy. Her other credits include "The O.C.," "Gossip Girl," and films such as "Straw Dogs" and "The Dirty South."

Emmy nominee Sparks is recognized for his performances in "House of Cards," "Boardwalk Empire," and films like "Mud" and "The Bikeriders." He recently starred in Apple's series "Physical" and will appear in Prime Video's upcoming thriller limited series "The Better Sister."

Reports indicate that the film will serve as a "companion piece" to the game rather than a direct adaptation, delving deeper into the game's mythology while maintaining its horror atmosphere.

The film's release date has not yet been announced as production is still underway in Missouri.