Universal has acquired most of the distribution rights to George A. Romero’s “Land of the Dead,” a zombie thriller that’s both penned and helmed by George A. Romero.
Deal is a negative pickup and covers all territories except France, Benelux and French-speaking Switzerland — territories which are being handled by Wild Bunch, the Paris-based international film financing sales, marketing and distribution company.
“Land” will begin production October 11th in Toronto, with casting already underway.
Two months ago, Atmosphere Entertainment MM announced that “Land of the Dead” would be the first film to launch a new series of zombie films, marking Romero’s return to the genre he created (Daily Variety, July 14th, 2004).
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The film is the first to be produced by Atmosphere principals Mark Canton and Bernie Goldmann, who’ll produce along with Peter Grunwald at Romero/Grunwald Productions. Wild Bunch co-produces, while Dennis Jones and Atmosphere exec VP Steve Barnett will exec produce. Neil Canton and Ryan Kavanaugh will serve as co-executive producers.
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In 1968 Romero made “Night of the Living Dead” with less than a $100,000 budget; the “Land of the Dead” budget will be $15 million, according to Canton.
“Night” was followed by “Dawn of the Dead” in 1978 and “Day of the Dead” in 1985. Canton said that like all of Romero’s previous “Dead” pics, ” ‘Land of the Dead’ will have an undertone of the social and political ethos of the times.”
Universal has tipped its hat to Romero’s legacy twice this year, releasing Zach Snyder’s remake of Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” to a $59 million domestic gross; U’s Edgar Wright helmed zombie comedy “Shaun of the Dead” — released through U’s Rogue Pictures label, part of U’s Focus Features — opens Friday in 607 theaters nationwide.
Story of “Land of the Dead” is set in the modern world. The living inhabit a walled-in city, protected from the walking dead that populate the wasteland beyond.
Pic was acquired for the studio by Jason Resnick, senior VP of acquisitions for both Focus and Universal Pictures.
