New Life in Romero's Dead Franchise

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgAfter years of trying to get the project off the ground, George Romero has found financing for the fourth installment in this DEAD franchise, which includes NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, DAWN OF THE DAY and DAY OF THE DEAD, reports VARIETY. LAND OF THE DEAD will be co-funded by Atmosphere Ent. and Paris-based Wild Bunch. The film will go before cameras in October in Winnipeg or Pittsburgh. Atmosphere chairman/ceo Mark Canton and president Bernie Goldmann will produce, along with Romero's partner Peter Grunwald of Romero Grunwald Prods. Atmosphere's Steve Barnett is exec producer.

In this new chapter, the zombies have taken over the world and the living are holed up in a fortified city. However, the wealthy live a comfortable life while the rest must scavenger for their basic needs. As a group of scavengers tries to stop a rebellion, the living discover that the zombies are evolving from brainless slow-moving creatures into more advanced creatures.

"People ask me why I've waited so long to do another DEAD film," Romero said. "I made one in the '60s, one in the '70s and one in the '80s. The only reason I missed the '90s is because I wanted to stay faithful to the tradition while coming up with something new."

The film will have a budget between $13-19 million. This film is the first for Atmosphere, which Canton formed in late 2003 with financing from Daedalus Media Partners principal Mark J. Kimsey. The two production companies hope to have distribution locked before the film starts production in the fall.