Back in 1968, writer/director George A. Romero and co-writer John A. Russo managed to redefine the word “zombie” with the classic film Night of the Living Dead, despite the fact that they didn’t consider the ghouls in their movie to be zombies. Romero went on to tell further zombie stories with the likes of Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, and Russo has also gone back to the world of flesh-eating ghouls with the novel Return of the Living Dead (which spawned a classic movie that was completely different from the source material) and the comic book Escape of the Living Dead, among other stories. Now, Russo is teaming with director Dustin Ferguson for a new zombie movie called Rebirth of the Living Dead – and it’s set to star legendary scream queens Michelle Bauer (Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers), Brinke Stevens (The Slumber Party Massacre), and Jewel Shepard, who played Casey in The Return of the Living Dead!
Following the events of both Night of the Living Dead and the Return of the Living Dead novel, Rebirth of the Living Dead picks up nearly 50 years later in Los Angeles where “Trioxin Trash” is the new drug on the street. This “ultimate high” turns users into brain-craving Living Dead and it’s up to a lone scientist and a young couple to uncover the cure before it’s too late.
Details on the characters Bauer, Stevens, and Shepard will be playing have not been revealed. The character featured on the poster below is played by Jaedra DiGiammarino (Witchcraft 17).
Rebirth of the Living Dead comes along just months after Ferguson and Russo worked together on Midnight 3, a sequel to Russo’s 1982 slasher Midnight, which was followed by a sequel (Midnight 2: Sex, Death and Videotape) in 1993 and a remake in 2020.
Ferguson has previous ties with the Living Dead series as a Producer/Director of Special Features for the Blu-Ray of Return of the Living Dead Part 2, and is also the owner of the “Lost Cut” of Return of the Living Dead ///. He promises that this film will not only directly follow previous events, but also pay homage to several classic moments from the different Living Dead films as well.
A fundraising campaign with a goal of $10,000 is in progress on IndieGogo. As of this writing, with 23 days left to go, the campaign has raised $1,770. Perks include a mobile game, receiving a signed DVD or Blu-ray copy of the film, getting a signed poster, having your picture in the movie, getting a special thanks in the credits, or becoming a producer. There’s even a “Be a Zombie in the Movie” perk!
Does Rebirth of the Living Dead sound interesting to you, and will you be contributing to the fundraising campaign? Share your thoughts on this Dustin Ferguson / John A. Russo / Jaedra DiGiammarino / Michelle Bauer / Brinke Stevens / Jewel Shepard project by leaving a comment below.