After five films and a 20-year break, the Return of the Living Dead franchise is gearing up for a return with a brand new reboot movie, and the cast is growing this week.
The Hollywood Reporter brings us word that Devon Sawa (“Chucky,” Heart Eyes) has joined the cast of Return of the Living Dead from Living Dead Media and director Steve Wolsh (Muck, Kill Her Goats), a brand new Christmas-themed sequel to the horror-comedy classic.
THR reports this morning, “Devon Sawa will play the role of Isaac Horton alongside new castmembers Casimere “Cash” Jollette (Tiny Pretty Things) as Delilah Horton and Kynlee Heiman (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever) as Sophia Horton.”
Additionally, Alexander Ward (“American Horror Story”) will play horror icon Tarman.
Check out the original announcement teaser for the film project below. The Hollywood Reporter notes that production is underway and will continue through this coming Winter.
The new story takes place in a small Pennsylvania town over Christmas, and it’s set in 1985, 18 months after the events of the original film. “Fans of the film will know not to expect to see any returning characters, given their terrible fates in the original,” Living Dead Media explains. According to Wolsh, this is not a reboot or a remake, but a brand-new adventure and it won’t in any way trample the original film’s legacy. “Audiences can expect to be welcomed back into the dark humored, sexy, edgy, Trioxin fueled world horror fans first encountered in 1985.”
The production has called in SFX legend Tony Gardner (Zombieland, Hocus Pocus, Chucky franchise) to establish the zombie look for the story. Tony and his team at Alterian Inc. were first tasked with creating a Tarman true to the original but evolved, more realistic, and scarier, using decades of experience and modern technology and material to create amazing old-school practical effects. Gardner said, “[To be able to] up the horror, but be true to its roots, I feel like I’m the perfect person for the job… and I’m really excited.”
One of the greatest horror-comedies of all time, Dan O’Bannon’s 1985 movie The Return of the Living Dead ended up launching a franchise that to date includes five total movies.