Movies
‘Night of the Living Dead’ Origin Story Told in 3D CGI
Zombie movie Night of the Living Dead is coming back, this time in a 3D CGI format and without the involvement of George Romero (the film is public domain). Titled Night of the Living Dead: Origins, the re-imagining is being directed by newcomer Zebediah de Soto (who has done some incredible trailer work for BD, Dread Central, Screamfest and the now extinct Horror Channel) and produced by Simon West and Simon West Productions president Jib Polhemus. You can get the full skinny on this project below (along with a look at his work), but let me tell you from my own personal experience, Zebediah de Soto is going to knock this one out of the park – and that’s a guarantee.
On the story front, De Soto, who wrote the script with David R. Schwartz, wants to update the tale partially by bringing out the characters’ backstories and make what he called “an American-style anime.”
The latter will be done by using new technology the filmmaker is inventing. De Soto, along with partner Gus Malliarodaki founded New Golden Digital, a digital effects company which develops cutting-edge hardware and software.
The duo created and designed a real-time effects system, known as ‘The Beast’, which allows filmmakers the ability to direct CG performances the same way they would direct real live actors. The aim of the process is to make tennis balls on a stick representing real people or monsters a thing of the past by allowing actors interact with CG elements as if they are tangible.
Matty Miranda and Anthony Le are executive producing. George Passakos is co-executive producing while Warren Davis and Tiffany Shinn acts as associate producers.
De Soto, who has no agent or manager, directed a short titled “War Dogs” – sort of Vietnam War set in space – that made the rounds in Hollywood late last year. West (the director of movies such as “Con Air,” “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” and the upcoming TV show “Human Target”) and Polhemus were impressed at how the short manage to look like the production had a higher budget than it actually did, and began looking for a project to partner on.
De Soto was a fan of the original “Living Dead” and once the trio realized the rights were in the public domain, zeroed in on that project.
A heist turns nightmarish for Lizzy Caplan (Cobweb) in the offbeat comedy thriller Drag, and the SXSW darling now has an official release date.
Briarcliff Entertainment will release Drag in theaters on January 29, 2027.
The thriller follows “two estranged sisters who attempt to rob a secluded home in rural upstate New York. What begins as a simple burglary spirals into a nightmarish ordeal after one sister throws out her back and becomes immobilized on the second floor. As tensions rise and panic sets in, the sisters are forced into a painful and increasingly absurd fight for survival before the homeowner returns.”
It’s described as “Equal parts thriller and physical comedy,” which “explores sibling rivalry, physical pain, and the uniquely chaotic bonds of family.”
Lucy DeVito (“Little Demon”), John Stamos (“Full House”), and Christine Ko (“Dave”) also star.
The release announcement comes with a new look at Drag, introducing the estranged sisters caught in a heist nightmare.
Drag is co-written and co-directed by Raviv Ullman and Greg Yagolnitzer, marking their feature debut.
The film is produced by Danny DeVito, Lucy DeVito, and Jake DeVito through Jersey Films 2nd Avenue.
Briarcliff CEO Tom Ortenberg called Drag “a brilliantly original film that’s suspenseful, hilarious, and completely unpredictable. The cast led by Lizzy, Lucy, John, and Christine are the magic that makes the concept work. Audiences are in for a huge treat.”
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