Fans of the undead are always ready for more movies and shows featuring the stories of zombies, walkers, or whatever you choose to call them. The range of choices is vast, with old-school favorites, comedies, sci-fi, thrillers, and more. Now, Living Dead Media and director Steve Wolsh (Muck, Kill Her Goats) is bringing viewers a sequel to Dan O'Bannon's The Return of the Living Dead.
The Christmas-themed sequel will be released in theaters on Christmas 2025 and see the return of Tarman, the franchise's patient zero. The teaser below was released by WithAnO Productions and Living Dead Media LLC., in Dec. 2024 and was produced without greenscreen or CGI. Shot on location, Wolsh and Living Dead Media strive to bring this level of "vintage in-camera storytelling."
Fun bit of trivia regarding the teaser: The cemetery featured was created over several days and included forty foot high real iron fence and close to 100 gravestones. The winter conditions required over 40 gallons an hour of snow at $50,000 a day.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985) is considered one of the greatest horror comedies. The franchise consists five films
According to Living Dead Media, the new installment to the franchise will be a fresh take instead of a reboot or remake. Wolsh has stated that the new adventure will incorporate the same dark-humored, Trioxin-fueled energy as the original.
The story is set at Christmas in a small town in Pennsylvania in 1985, 18 months after the events of the original. A new trioxin leak begins to transform the living into zombies, and the story will introduce new characters who will come against the undead during blizzard conditions. "Next Christmas, it's Tarman who will be coming to town."
Tony Gardner, SFX master, worked on The Return of the Living Dead (1985) at the beginning of his career. He returns for the upcoming film, where he and his crew worked for approximately a year to create a new, more terrifying Tarman. The crew used modern techniques inspired by the original design.
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