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In October 1968, George A. Romero released a low-budget black-and-white horror film that forever changed the way we look at zombies (and our neighbors to a certain extent). The groundbreaking Night of the Living Dead, which spawned an entire franchise of its own, has gone on to be remade countless times to varying degrees of success and has even been adapted as novels, graphic novels, and as is the case with the upcoming Night of the Animated Dead, feature-length cartoons.
In the fall of 2021, more than 50 years after George A. Romero terrified audiences with his unique blend of horror and social commentary, Night of the Animated Dead will hope to capture that same feeling and present it to a new audience, one who wants more full-color blood splatters and less black-and-white zombies with chocolate syrup in place of blood…
Night Of The Animated Dead Will Be Released Digitally September 21, 2021; Physically October 5, 2021
You will be able to watch Night of the Animated Dead and take in all of the action of the retelling of one of George A. Romero’s best horror movies starting September 21, 2021, when the animated feature becomes available from digital retailers. If you you prefer to own a physical copy of the movie put it next to Night of the Living Dead (and Night of the Living Dead in Color and Night of the Living Dead in 3D and all the other releases that have been put out over the years) then you will have to wait until the Blu-ray/DVD set (which comes with a digital code) is released October 5, 2021.
Pre-order Night of the Animated Dead on Blu-ray (Digital Code included) on Amazon.
The Night Of The Animated Dead Voice Cast Includes Josh Duhamel, Dulé Hill And Katee Sackhoff
Like the film on which it was based, Night of the Animated Dead will center on an ensemble cast of characters who probably stand a better chance of surviving the hordes of zombies outside their window than they do the monsters inside the abandoned farmhouse. The Night of the Animated Dead cast features Josh Duhamel as Harry Cooper, Dulé Hill as Ben, Katharine Isabelle as Barbara, Katee Sackhoff as Judy, Will Sasso as Sheriff McClelland, Jimmi Simpson as Johnny, Nancy Travis as Helen Cooper, and James Roday Rodriguez as Tom.
The Movie Adapts George A. Romero’s Classic Horror Film But There Will Be Some Extra Scenes
Much like the original Night of the Living Dead, this animated remake will follow a group of survivors trapped in a rural farmhouse where they hope to survive the seemingly endless horde of zombies attempting to break down the doors and devour their flesh. This also means the movie will be loaded with the social commentary that made the original such a pivotal film upon the time of its release.
For the most part, Night of the Animated Dead appears to be about as faithful of an adaptation as any before but Warner Bros. Entertainment has announced that there will be a few extra scenes not shown in George A. Romero’s horror classic.
Night Of The Animated Dead Was Directed By Jason Axinn And Based On John Russo’s Original Night Of The Living Dead Script
Jason Axinn, who released the animated horror film To Your Last Breath in 2019, directed Night of the Animated Dead, a project he said on Twitter he was “super thrilled” to be a part of when the movie was first revealed in June 2021. The film’s script was based on the original screenplay John Russo wrote alongside George A. Romero for Night of the Living Dead back in 1968.
The Physical Release Of Night Of The Animated Dead Is Set To Include A Making Of Documentary About The Process
Along with Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copies of Night of the Animated Dead, the physical release will also come loaded with special features including Making of the Animated Dead, an in-depth documentary breaking down individual scenes, video from the voice recording sessions, and the step-by-step process of how director Jason Axinn animated Night of the Living Dead.
The Night Of The Animated Dead Trailer Horrifically Recreates Some Of Night Of The Living Dead’s Iconic Moments
Although Night of the Living Dead was far from the goriest of George A. Romero’s zombie films (that would have to go to Day of the Dead), the black-and-white horror flick had its share of gross-out scenes, and it looks like Night of the Animated Dead is going that route with the gore featured in the official trailer. Diehard Romero fans (or horror fans in general) will recognize the events of the trailer, only this time in illustrated form. Watch the Night of the Animated Dead trailer here.
Night Of The Animated Dead Is Rated R
As much as fans of George A. Romero would love to see an unrated animated remake of Night of the Living Dead, that’s probably never going to happen with Warner Bros. footing the bill. That being said, Night of the Animated Dead is rated R for bloody and gruesome zombie violence because why have a zombie movie without a ton of gore?
This Is The Latest Of Numerous Remakes And Adaptations Of Night Of The Living Dead
There have been more remakes, adaptations, and re-releases of Night of the Living Dead released over the years than anyone can count. The reason for this is an issue with the title of the movie when the original copyright was filed back in 1968 (the name was changed at the last minute from Night of the Flesh Eaters), making it to where the movie entered the public domain not long after.
The first remake of Night of the Living Dead, which was directed by Tom Savini, was released in 1990 and even included some changes to the characters (specifically Barbara) that were added in by Romero himself. Since then, there have been titles like Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection, A Night of the Living Dead, and Night of the Living Dead: Rebirth, with even more on the way like Night of the Living Dead II (which features members of the Day of the Dead cast for some reason).
I guess all that is guaranteed in life is death, taxes, and Night of the Living Dead remakes…
Night of the Animated Dead will be available to watch starting September 21, 2021, which will be just in time to be included with all the other great upcoming horror movies this fall…
