Here is a sad commentary related to George Romero and the state of the Zombie film. http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3...wants-make-zombie-noir-film-cant-get-funding/
What was the last one he did? Island of the Dead? I didn't dislike the found footage one. But Land of the Dead was pretty awful. I think now is a good time for him to do another. Indie movies look great now and have evolved so much further from when he did Island... It's been 6 years sinse the last so maybe its time for another. Keep creative control and part crowd fund maybe doing something that links the whole series together and caps it off?...
Not sure I need another Romero zombie film. Everything post-"Day" has been average or worse. Mostly worse. The political commentary in the latter films has been weak too as time goes on.
I actually agree with you. I just kinda find it shocking that he can't get funding. I was not impressed with Land, and I hated Diary. I have Survival of the Dead but haven't even watched it yet.
I'd actually be very happy if he moved away from zombie films. For one, I'm just tired of the genre. But, more so because I actually find his non-zombie films to be really interesting. I'd easily say that I enjoyed Martin and Monkey Shines much more than any of the Dead films after Night. And, I'd probably say that Knightriders and Crazies are just as interesting to me as Dawn was. Granted, it is still sad to hear that he still has troubles getting funding for his films. Heart-breaking, really.
That is extremely sad that he can't even get funding, but I'm not all that interested in seeing what he would have to offer. I didn't like Land, Diary, or Survival. Truth be told, I'm not all that big of a fan of Day (yes, blasphemy, I know). Maybe go back and shoot the original script for Day of the Dead? I'm sure he wouldn't be interested in revisiting that, and it's been years since I read it, but I remember it being an interesting story.
The fact that he "... can’t pitch a modest little zombie film, which is meant to be sociopolitical," is sad, but his last few films suggest that he's already said whatever he has to say. I'd be much more interested in a modest, non-Dead project.
The ol' timers Horror directors do not get any respect anymore. Unless you are a hip director financed by BlumHouse or GhostHouse to churn the same shitty ghost story you don't stand a chance.
Keep in mind that the way films are financed and WHY they are financed has changed considerably, even in the last 5 years, I measure it by the films I book for people and indie budgets have gone WAY WAY down. 10 years ago an indie at $7 mil was tight but you could do something good. Now that same film is $3.5. Many Sundance films - where you go if you want to "pop" are a million or less. Some are more robust but they are rare. The video market is not there for Romero and his films haven't performed theatrically in any meaningful way in years. I gotta say it's not surprising, nor do I think the world is missing it. As many have said, he'd have better luck at trying his hand at something more current, less zombie (i.e. less budget for make up etc.). Martin was great concept and it needed next to nothing in terms of budget. Plus financiers, in this market, are not feeling the curmudgeonly, set-in-his-ways director who may or may not deliver on the investment (or be controllable). Fans love the Maverick director, financiers these days run the other way. Stakes are too high these days.
I would totally be into a sequel to Land. I heard this was going to happen at one point. Following Dead Reckoning with Riley and co north to Canada, we might have got to see zombies in snow. Maybe now with the social commentary of Americans fleeing to Canada in fear of Trump, he can put that idea back into action.
I actually like Land. And how the rich had built their haven, high above in the skyscrapers. But no matter how much money they had, it all came crumbling down upon them. Watching Hoppers "empire" fall, brought a huge smile upon my face And I also liked, how they continued on the idea, that the zombies (just like Bub) became smarter over time.
Exactly! The skyscraper was a paradise, but outside, it was basically hell on earth. He really should have called it Twilight of the Dead, since the world was so dark and shitty, and all was lost.
If you haven't watched Survival yet....DON'T. I have nightmares of its shittyness every night and I don't wish it upon anyone.
I don't remember Survival, either. It's sad that a past talent cannot get future work, but Romero is long beyond his prime. I imagine it's pretty difficult for studio financing to make the numbers work.