Earlier this year we told you about Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead, a fresh new take on the zombie genre made famous by her father, the late George A. Romero, who created the iconic Night of the Living Dead. More news on the project has come to light, as the film has assembled a star-studded cast to help bring the young Romero’s vision to life in what promises to be a fun romp filled with practical effects, jump scares, and yes – slow moving zombies.
Per Deadline, Queens of the Dead has lined up Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), Margaret Cho (Fire Island), Brigette Lundy-Paine (I Saw The TV Glow) and Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story) to star in the new picture, which is produced by Vanishing Angle, whose previous credits include the 2022 Shudder Original, Spoonful of Sugar, the 2023 sci-fi action thriller, The Park, and 2021’s outrageously funny horror-comedy, Werewolves Within.
In a statement released by Angel’s VP of Development and Production, Natalie Metzger, she proclaimed that not only was Romero’s script for Queens of the Dead one that she became “obsessed” with, but she also praised the upcoming movie as something that will surely resonate with a whole new generation of horror fans.
“I’ve been obsessed with this script and Tina’s vision from the moment that I read it. It’s so incredibly fun and unique. This film is not just a continuation of the Romero legacy but a fresh take that is sure to captivate a new generation of horror fans.”
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“As soon as we started casting, we knew we needed a team that could deliver on the film’s bold, eclectic vision,” added Matthew Lee Miller, president of Vanishing Angle. “This cast exceeds our wildest expectations. Their combined talent and chemistry are electrifying. Tina’s vision is a game-changer, and we believe this ensemble will create something truly unforgettable, honoring the Romero legacy while pushing the boundaries of the genre.”
Tina Romero Calls Queens of the Dead Cast One of Her ‘Wildest Dreams’
Set over the course of one night in the present day Brooklyn, Queens of the Dead will look to bring into focus a zombie film for a new generation by highlighting a number of queer elements that often go overlooked in popular horror. In what she’s previously called a “glam gore zom-com,” the film will feature drag queens young and old, club kids, and frenemies all banding together to battle their way through the zombie apocalypse.
Co-written by novelist Erin Judge, Romero says that the cast for her new film is one that she’s dreamed of assembling for a long time. In addition to the likes of Margaret Cho and Katy O’Brian, Queens of the Dead has also added Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Jaquel Spivey (Mean Girls), Tomas Matos (Fire Island), Quincy Dunn-Baker (No Hard Feelings), Becca Blackwell (Bros), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther), Dominique Jackson (Pose), Riki Lindhome (Knives Out), and Eve Lindley (Bros) to its incredible lineup.
“This is the cast of my wildest dreams. In a movie about survival, you gotta love and root for the survival crew. Every single person in this ensemble brings such a special and specific flavor -both on and off screen. The result is truly a magic sauce.”
Production is already underway on Queens of the Dead, which is expected to debut at some point in 2025. We’ll have more news, including a trailer, as it becomes available.
The original
Night of the Living Dead
is available to stream on
Peacock
.