Dominique Jackson, Margaret Cho, Cheyenne Jackson, Nina West & More To Star In Queer Zombie Horror Film From Daughter Of George A Romero

Daughter of late director George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead), Tina Romero is directing a zombie movie of her own with Queens of the Dead, Deadline is reporting.

via: Deadline

Jaquel Spivey (Mean Girls), Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), Margaret Cho (Fire Island), Brigette Lundy-Paine (I Saw The TV Glow) and Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story) are among those set to star in Queens of the Dead, a new horror comedy directed by Tina Romero, daughter of legendary director George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead).

Co-written by Erin Judge & Tina Romero, the film pays tribute to the zombies from the elder Romero’s classic zombie films with a fresh, contemporary, and queer twist, promising to offer a genre-smashing, glam-gore thrill ride through the zombie apocalypse. The story follows an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies who must put aside their personal dramas and use their unique skills to combat the brain-thirsty undead when a zombie apocalypse breaks out during their drag show in Brooklyn.

Others featuring in the cast of the film from Vanishing Angle include Nina West (Rupaul’s Drag Race), Tomas Matos (Fire Island), Quincy Dunn-Baker (No Hard Feelings), Becca Blackwell (Bros), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther), Dominique Jackson (Pose), Riki Lindhome (Knives Out), and Eve Lindley (Bros).

George A. Romero, often referred to as the “Godfather of Zombies,” revolutionized the horror genre with his groundbreaking films Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, with his work influencing countless filmmakers and becoming a cornerstone of modern horror. While it’s unclear if the project is still active, Romero’s influence is clearly highlighted by MGM’s 2022 move to acquired rights to a new Night of the Living Dead sequel, with Nanny‘s Nikyatu Jusu coming aboard to direct.

Following George’s 2017 passing, Tina Romero looks to carry the torch with a talent-rich film loaded with practical effects, jump scares, laughs, and lumbering zombies amassing on the streets of Brooklyn. Given its focus on the historically disenfranchised LGBTQ+ population, the film should fit in naturally with George A. Romero’s oeuvre, which used a zombie apocalypse to examine social injustice, among many other themes.

Vanishing Angle’s Matthew Lee Miller and Natalie Metzger will serve as the film’s producers. The film is financed by Creativity Capital.

Stated Miller of Vanishing Angle, “As soon as we started casting, we knew we needed a team that could deliver on the film’s bold, eclectic vision. This cast exceeds our wildest expectations. Their combined talent and chemistry are electrifying. Tina’s vision is a game-changer, and we believe this ensemble will create something truly unforgettable, honoring the Romero legacy while pushing the boundaries of the genre.”

Miller’s fellow producer Metzger added, “I’ve been obsessed with this script and Tina’s vision from the moment that I read it. It’s so incredibly fun and unique. This film is not just a continuation of the Romero legacy but a fresh take that is sure to captivate a new generation of horror fans.”

Prior to Queens of the Dead, Spivey found his first major film role in Paramount’s musical adaptation of Mean Girls, which had him playing Damian Hubbard, best friend of Auli’i Cravalho’s Janis. The new film marks his first lead role.

As someone who is a fan of horror movies, and has always wanted to see more queer horror representation on the big and small screen, this sounds like a pretty awesome idea.

While I am upset I'm just now hearing about this (since had I'd known I would have auditioned for a part), I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what George's daughter will bring to the zombie genre since her father has shaped the way pop culture views the undead.