The LIVING DEAD franchise is as played out as the TEXAS CHAINSAW franchise, to my mind. (Although I hear rumors that the new prequel film, as opposed to the previous prequel film, might just be worth watching.) It’s been remade, sequel-ized, the sequels have been sequel-ized, the remakes have been sequel-ized, and it even spun off its own bootleg alternate version/parallel reality set of sequels. It’s been done to death, pardon the pun. Time to move aside, let it stand as the classic that it is, but stop trying to copy it. Let films like TRAIN TO BUSAN and THE DEAD carry the banner for zombies on celluloid. That’s my opinion. It don’t need no stinkin’ prequel!
Then I hear that George Romero’s son, George Cameron Romero, is behind the upcoming prequel, RISE OF THE LIVING DEAD. And that George, Sr. himself reportedly loved the script. And I think about the wonderful things that were done with the PLANET OF THE APES prequels. And I can’t help getting a little excited, after all.
Here’s what Cameron had to say on the project: “My dad read the script and called it ‘genius.’ Many have approached me about making this film and I’ve said no to many because…this one is special…my love letter to my dad…to the fact that he was once called the most dangerous filmmaker alive…to the fact that society in 1968 wanted to shut him up as much as they wanted to celebrate him…This one has been a long time coming. And it is my absolute promise to you all that this film will be everything it needs to be.”
I hope so, Cameron. You have some mighty big shoes to fill.