The possibility of Tall Man from the cult classic horror film Phantasm joining Dead by Daylight has resurfaced after Don Coscarelli, the creator of the franchise, responded to a fan’s request on Twitter (X):
My DMs are open @DeadbyDaylight. @MCote_BHVR @Behaviour https://t.co/FOeKDfEmJw
— Don Coscarelli (@DonCoscarelli) March 25, 2025
This isn’t the first time this idea has gained traction—back in 2022, Coscarelli had already expressed his interest in seeing Phantasm in a video game, which immediately sparked a wave of fans tagging Dead by Daylight in the comments:
The most common question I get about PHANTASM is.....
— Don Coscarelli (@DonCoscarelli) March 22, 2022
WHEN WILL THERE BE A VIDEO GAME?
What better time than NOW.
To all my friends in the video game industry. DMs are open.
To all the PHANS reply to this thread and tag who would do it justice. pic.twitter.com/AuCfFnX3kv
Now, three years later, the discussion has reignited, and Coscarelli has once again confirmed that he would have no problem bringing Phantasm to the world of asymmetrical horror gaming.
What is Phantasm?
Phantasm is a 1979 horror film, written and directed by Don Coscarelli, that has since become a cult classic. The film follows Mike, a young boy who, after witnessing strange occurrences at a funeral home, begins investigating The Tall Man—a mysterious and menacing undertaker with supernatural abilities. Mike, along with his older brother Jody and their friend Reggie, soon discovers that Tall Man is harvesting human corpses and transforming them into monstrous dwarf-like creatures, which he then sends to another dimension through a portal.
One of the most iconic elements of Phantasm is the Sentinel Spheres, flying silver spheres equipped with blades and drills that seek out victims and gruesomely kill them. These deadly weapons, controlled by Tall Man, have become a signature part of the franchise.
The film spawned four sequels:
Phantasm II (1988)
Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994)
Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998)
Phantasm: Ravager (2016)
Throughout the series, Tall Man, played by the late Angus Scrimm, remains a terrifying force, with his deep voice, towering presence, and eerie catchphrase:
“Boy!”
Could Tall Man Join Dead by Daylight?
With Behaviour Interactive always looking to expand Dead by Daylight’s horror roster, Tall Man could be a perfect addition. His eerie presence, supernatural abilities, and Sentinel Spheres could make for a unique killer concept, bringing something fresh to the game.
This new interest from Coscarelli only fuels speculation that Behaviour Interactive might consider a Phantasm chapter in the future. The fact that Lionsgate has already worked with Behaviour on multiple occasions, and that Phantasm is owned by Well Go USA Entertainment, means that licensing might not be as complex as some other horror IPs.
A Renewed Interest After 2022
As mentioned earlier, I wrote two articles in 2022 when Don Coscarelli first expressed interest in seeing Phantasm in a video game. Fans immediately jumped on the opportunity to suggest Dead by Daylight as the perfect platform for a Phantasm crossover. Now, in 2024, with Coscarelli once again open to the idea, the conversation is more relevant than ever.
With Dead by Daylight continuously adding horror icons from film, TV, and gaming, the inclusion of Tall Man would be a perfect tribute to classic horror cinema. The Sentinel Spheres alone could provide an innovative gameplay mechanic, making Tall Man a killer unlike any other in the game.
Will Behaviour Interactive take notice of Don Coscarelli’s willingness to collaborate? Fans can only hope that Phantasm will finally make its way into the Fog of Dead by Daylight.
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