THE DEAD TIMES
DEAD ARE COMING...
2024: Preview of the Dead: Part 1 - Movies
2023 was a terrible year for Zombie movies with no announced titles released. Thankfully, that horror is now behind us and, as this first part of the annual 3-part preview article series shows, 2024 is shaping up a whole lot better (only time will tell if it is however).
As any follower of the Saw movie franchise knows, there are rules in place.
- Any dire project, announced last year, that did not see full release is sent to the eternal "MIA" section of damnation.
- Following from the first rule, any such abomination that was in the dreaded "MIA" section of last year's preview article and that has received no news nor update, is unceremoniously flung into the pit, very likely never to return.
The new stuff
Twilight of the Dead
Before his death in 2017, George A. Romero had written a screenplay for his final Zombie movie titled Twilight of the Dead. That screenplay has been adapted into a script, a production company has been attached to the project - Roundtable Entertainment - and a director - Brad Anderson, who previously directed Session 9 - has come on board. The movie will "delve into the dark nature of humanity from the perspective of the last humans on earth who are caught between factions of the undead" and in true Romero style will have thought-provoking social commentary similar to the consumerism undertones of 1978's Dawn of the Dead. Production was scheduled to start in late 2023 in Puerto Rico but, due to the recent writers and actors strikes, it was delayed to early 2024. This means a release in 2024 is unlikely but we should at least get more information on, what could well be, the best Zombie movie for almost a decade.
Crawlers
After a disappointing absence of Zombie movies in 2023, Crawlers appears to have the potential to bring the undead back to the big screen. In 2030, a Zombie pandemic of biblical proportions sweeps over the United States, forcing survivors to flee south to a place in Mexico believed to be Zombie-free. Hopefully, this movie will combine the culture-swapping action of The Forever Purge with the high-speed Zombie carnage of the 2005 Dawn of the Dead remake.
George A. Romero's Resident Evil: A Documentary
In the late '90s, Godfather of the Dead, George A. Romero was brought on board to adapt the award-winning Resident Evil game franchise into a movie. Sadly, the rights would eventually go to Paul W. S. Anderson who would go on to direct a hugely-successful 7-movie film franchise loosely based on the games. Even though the Resident Evil movies we got were certainly entertaining, fans were left wondering what could have happened if Romero had stayed attached to the project. Well, in 2024, those fans can wonder no more as a full, feature-length documentary will be released which dares to dream about the extremely dangerous topic; what could have been.
The Return of the Living Dead reboot/requel/continuation
In surprising news, 1985 movie The Return of the Living Dead is set to be rebooted (or perhaps it'll be a sequel to the original movie with a reboot flair as is Hollywood's latest fad or, who knows, it could even be a continuation of the series from the last instalment back in 2005). Very little has been revealed about the project so far other than the slightly-underwhelming choice of director, Steve Wolsh, who previously directed the dismal (according to reviews) Fog City and the, barely-watchable, Kill Her Goats. I remain hopeful for this one but early signs do not look good.
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
In yet more surprises, the decidedly average film, Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City is getting a sequel (or perhaps a prequel). Very little is known about the film - with no official announcement of it even existing - other than a rumour that it may be based on 2002's Resident Evil 0 and that Paul W. S. Anderson - director of the action-oriented Resident Evil films - is being given a producing credit, despite him stating that he is "not super involved".
Handling the Undead
This Swedish Zombie film is based on the book of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. On an unusually hot day in Oslo, a strange electric field spreads across town, giving inhabitants an intense migraine. The event soon dissipates but, unbeknownst to the townspeople, it has also caused the recently deceased to return to life. Three families, struggling to come to terms with the untimely departure of their loved ones are now faced with the traumatic consequences of those loved ones suddenly returning from beyond the grave. Expect a deep, dark, character-driven horror story as the film dives into the "fundamental emotions around grief and mortality and the battle of accepting what we cannot control.".
MIA
Zombie Traveler
The only new Zombie movie for 2023 missed its mark but, the question is, does anybody really care? I can find very little information about this movie other than some woefully low-budget clips (one entirely computer generated) and the synopsis of "A time traveling zombie killer travels through space and time to save the man she loves.".
Planet of the Dead
This sequel to Zack Snyder's Netflix-exclusive Zombie film, Army of the Dead, continues to simmer away as a half-remembered idea. The latest update states that the movie is still on the table to eventually get made but Mr. Snyder is too busy with his other Netflix project, Rebel Moon; a huge science fiction, Star Wars style saga - I would not expect Planet of the Dead anytime soon.
DESCRIPTION:
The hollow husk of 2023 has vanished into darkness, replaced by the shambling monstrosity of 2024. It's time to cast our crusty, decaying eyes over the morbid treats this year has instore. First to tickle our unholy delights are the movies - let us see if 2024 can herald more untimely offerings than the crumbling tomb of yesteryear.
CATEGORY:
Preview of the Dead
WRITTEN BY:
DATE UPLOADED:
07/01/2024