It's Good To Be A Zombie
Honda enlists a zombie to help sell their 2012 Civic Sedan
Tribeca Film Fest: YEAR ZERO
What can a self-taught animator do with $5,000 and a 10-year old computer? If you're Richard Cunningham, you make a YEAR ZERO, a zombie short that made it into the Tribeca Film Festival.
The Walking Dead: Season 1 just $9.99
Amazon has The Walking Dead: Season One DVD set on sale for $9.99 right now.
DVD features include The Making of THE WALKING DEAD; Inside THE WALKING DEAD: Episode 1-6; A Sneak Peek with Robert Kirkman; Behind The Scenes Zombie Make-Up Tips; Convention Panel With Producers; THE WALKING DEAD Trailer; Zombie School; Bicycle Girl; On Set With Robert Kirkman; Hanging With Steven Yeun; Inside Dale’s RV and On Set With Andrew Lincoln.
Not sure how long this deal last so you may want to pick it up ASAP if you're planning on getting.
The Walking Dead is also available on Blu-ray.
Shaun of the Dead... in 60 seconds (and animated)!
Pippinopalon's entry into the Empire/Jameson Done in 60 Seconds Competition for 2011 is a "love letter to all things Edgar Wright/Scott Pilgrim."
The American Idol Zombie Fordpocalypse
American Idol's Top 8 were transformed into zombies for "Animal", last night's Ford commercial.
And today we also get the 'making of' for the Ford spot - directed by Shane Drake:
Casting Call: AXE and KNIFE
AXE and KNIFE, a zombie short film gearing up to shoot in and around Flint, Michigan is holding a casting call this weekend for their three leads (non-zombie roles).
The producers say "The story revolves around 3 characters thrown together in a time of chaos and their struggle to survive - not just what lurks outside, but each other. Whoʼs intentions are pure and whoʼs are driven by something more?".
Who are they looking for?
Holt - described as "an every day guy stuck in an extraordinary situation. He's doing everything he can just to survive."
Samantha - described as "an attractive woman caught in the middle of a chaotic situation looking for some help."
Jason - decribed as "a tough skinned videographer looking to make a quick buck at the expense of other people's well being."
Two casting sessions will be held:
Saturday, April 16th - 11:30am - 4:30pm at Mott Community College (Flint) in Room RTC 1107
Sunday, April 17th - 11:30am - 6:30pm at Guidos Coffee Lounge in Woodard Station (Owosso)
Sides are available on the film's official website - AXEandKNIFE.com - so go in prepared.
If your heart lies in playing a zombie, they are sure to need a few of those too. The AXE and KNIFE producers request that you skip the casting call and, instead, just email them a headshot and short description of yourself to casting@axeandknife.com.
Does World War Z Have Its Cinematographer?
According to Bleeding Cool, it does. World War Z has a Director of Photography who is already hard at work with pre-production.
Marc Forster‘s film of World War Z appears to be on the absolute tip of the cusp of the verge of crossing the line and entering production. Right as we speak, the film’s cinematographer is busy prepping at one of London’s big film studios.
The DP in question is Robert Richardson, who recently wrapped Martin Scorsese’s Hugo Cabret down at Shepperton. This time he will be working out of another one of our big production bases, over at Elstree. Amongst Richardson’s other credits are Kill Bill, Natural Born Killers and Eight Men Out. He’s commonly referred to as a “stylist” and I can certainly see why.
How did they break this story? Well, it was as simple as checking Richardson's CV. His reps at The Skouras Agency already have it listed in his credits.
Looks like we really will get to see World War Z on the big screen.
Dylan Dog's New Rules For Zombies
Brandon Routh explains a few new hygiene rules to fledgling zombie Sam Huntington in this clip from Dylan Dog: Dead of Night.
Dylan Dog: Dead of Night opens in theaters on April 29th.
'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' Gets Its Director?
Mike Fleming at Deadline.com is reporting that Craig Gillespie will be taking the helm of the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies big screen adaptation.
"Gillespie has been a frontrunner on the Lionsgate project since Mike White dropped out. But several other candidates were considered, including the author and his partner, David Katzenberg. I'm told that the other aspirants have been informed that Gillespie will be getting the gig and that he'll begin negotiating soon."
Gillespie's previous directing efforts include Lars and the Real Girl, Mr. Woodcock and the upcoming remake of Fright Night.
Dead Island's FB Goes 17+ Tomorrow
Unfortunately for younger fans, the Dead Island Facebook page is going dark for them tomorrow as implements an age restriction due to the anticipated ESRB rating for the game itself.
Posted on their Facebook page today:
Hi Dead Island Fans,
Because of the upcoming rating by the ESRB we have to implement an age gate on our facebook page. Since we have an expected age rating of M (17+), this group will be only accessible to fans older than that starting tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding!
Stephen King In Talks To Write The Walking Dead
After The Walking Dead panel they hosted at C2E2 on Saturday, IGN is reporting that Stephen King may take on writing duties for at least one episode of the show's second season.
A King-written would be a great way to raise the already strong profile for The Walking Dead and it certainly makes sense given Executive Producer Frank Darabont's longstanding and prolific relationship with the author. Darabont has previously written and directed The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Mist - all adaptations of Stephen King stories.
The Walking Dead will return on AMC in Fall 2011.
The Missouri Strain Is Raising Funds
The Missouri Strain, a short zombie film gearing up to shoot in Maryland, is looking to raise $2,500 and using IndieGoGo to do so.
Written by Ryan McLaughlin and directed by W.J. Kotansky, Jr., The Missouri Strain tells the story of "a small family trying to escape a fast-acting virus sweeping across the planet that instantly mutates people into flesh-eating zombies. The virus spreads so rapidly that the family has very little options to escape. They turn to their last resort and enter into the deep east coast forest hoping they will be safe."
A $10 contribution gets you a DVD copy of the film and a $100 donation will get you a part on-screen as a zombie. Even just $1 will get you a 'Special Thanks" credit.
The Missouri Strain Kickstarter Video from W.J. Kotansky, Jr. on Vimeo.
Humans Versus Zombies
And another zombie film comes out of Pittsburg... Pittsburg, TX that is... as director Brian T. Jaynes brings the popular college role-playing game Humans Versus Zombies to life.The official site, HVZtheMovie.com, sums up the plot:
Students on summer break are exposed to a deadly virus, a neuroinvasive organism that is spread rapidly through direct human contact. The Infected are enslaved by the invading swarm intelligence and driven by an insatiable appetite to consume human flesh. Returning home, the students spread the infection to their fellow classmates and other unsuspecting townspeople. One by one, more students fall victim to the plague, triggering an epidemic that spawns a horde of ravenous zombies.
The zombie horde grows and spreads quickly. Amidst the chaos, a campus security guard, obsessed with conspiracy theories, leads a group of students to safety as they and a small band of uninfected townspeople set out to find other human survivors in an attempt to discover the source of the "zombie" virus and save the world.
Humans Versus Zombies was written by director Jaynes with Devan Sagliani and stars Madison Burge (Friday Night Lights), Frederic Doss, Melissa Carnell and Chip Joslin.
The film is scheduled to be released on June 1, 2011.
The Cockneys Get Cast
The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Bionic Woman re-boot star Michelle Ryan has signed on to star in the British comedy Cockneys vs. Zombies along with Harry Treadaway (City of Ember), Jack Doolan (The Green Green Grass) and Pussy Galore herself, Honor Blackman.
Cockneys vs. Zombies pits a few hapless bank robbers against the zombies they unleash when they pick the wrong 350-year old for their heist.
CvsZ director Matthias Hoene's previous horror effort was Hammer's 2008 serial Beyond The Rave.
Cameras are scheduled to roll next week.
House vs. Zombies
Sneak Peek: Marvel Zombies Christmas Carol #1
Marvel brings a gruesome touch of Dickensian Christmas yule to newsstands this May.
From their press release:
Marvel is proud to announce that artist David Baldeon will be joining writer Jim McCann for MARVEL ZOMBIES CHRISTMAS CAROL! Guaranteed to make you even more afraid of things that go bump in the night, Marvel’s twist on the acclaimed Charles Dickens tale will send chills down your spine! As the Hungry Death consumes the land, Ebeneezer Scrooge must be sent back to Christmases past with his undead friend Jacob Marley to learn the origin of this vicious scourge.
"When we started working on this idea, I was amazed at how well the original text worked in with the concept of the undead. We've taken a way to introduce 'zombies' in a Victorian manner, keeping with the chilling tale Dickens crafted in the 1800s,” said McCann. “I think that David's amazing designs show you how well it will look. We aren't going for campiness or shoving zombies into a popular story, but for true Victorian horror...and a small glimmer of hope that lies in one man's cold heart: Scrooge!"
Baldeon added: “This book is not about drawing zombies just because they're fun. It's about the characters, the horror, and a fresh yet horrifying look at Victorian terror while following along the lines of Jim's great script. It's about giving this book its own atmosphere and feel and making it look like no other version of Christmas Carol ever has.”
Can Scrooge, a man who has never known happiness, make it back from Christmas Past in time to see what the Hungry Death has done to the present and future? Find out this May when MARVEL ZOMBIES CHRISTMAS CAROL #1 (of 5) hits comics shops everywhere. God help us, every one!
MARVEL ZOMBIES CHRISTMAS CAROL #1 (of 5) (MAR110695)
Written by JIM McCANN
Pencils by DAVID BALDEON
Cover by MICHAEL KALUTA
Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC – 4/11/11, On Sale 5/4/11
The Walking Dead Video Games
Wondering where The Walking Dead video game is? The wait will be over shortly - Robert Kirkman has entered into a long term deal with Telltale Games to produced a series of video games based on the Walking Dead franchise.
"Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman today announce a long term agreement to produce games based on The Walking Dead. The Walking Dead is an epic drama where personal trials are magnified against a backdrop of moment-to-moment survival. As a zombie epidemic of apocalyptic proportions sweeps the globe, the dead are rising to feed on the living. The living are changed by the overwhelming realization that those who survive can be far more dangerous than the mindless walkers roaming the earth. In a world ruled by the dead, the survivors are forced to finally begin living.
"We have been fans of The Walking Dead for years. As a narrative-driven company, we really appreciate Robert Kirkman's masterful craftsmanship in every story." said Telltale CEO Dan Connors. "Fans of the franchise are going to be really excited by how we deliver this in the games.""
In their official press release, Robert Kirkman said "The folks at Telltale Games are a great choice for bringing The Walking Dead to life as interactive entertainment. They care as much as I do about the story and characters while seamlessly weaving that into the games they build. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am ecstatic to work with the same people putting out the coolest Jurassic Park game ever."
Telltale will produce The Walking Dead games for all console formats plus PC, Mac, handheld, mobile and social media platforms with the first game schedule to be released in Fall 2011.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Sets Another Record
Call of Duty: Black Ops now reigns as the best-selling U.S. game of all-time.
The PlayStation blog reports:
"Last night the NPD group reported that Call of Duty: Black Ops has sold 13.7 million units. This makes it the all time best-selling game in US history, which is very impressive since it has only be on the market since early November. Black Ops toppled the former king Wii Play, and you have to admit, even if you’re not a fan of the Call of Duty series, it is nice to see an actual game in the top spot."
Just like the undead that you face in zombie mode, Black Ops just may be unstoppable on the sales chart.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC.
Party Rock Anthem
While they don't go full in with dancers decked out in zombie make-up, LMFAO channels 28 Days Later for the opening of their "Party Rock Anthem" video.
AOTS Takes On Zombie Films
The Attack of the Show's resident film critic Chris Gore takes a look at The Walking Dead Season 1 release along with other zombie DVD releases in a decidedly undead segment of DVDuesday.