“Queens Of The Dead” film with Katy O’Brian and Tina Romero in the works

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EXCLUSIVE: Katy O’Brian (Love lies bleeding), Margaret Cho (Fire Island), Brigette Lundy-Paine (I saw the glow on TV) and Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story) are among the stars in Queens of the Deada new horror comedy directed by Tina Romero, daughter of legendary director George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead).

Co-written by Erin Judge and Tina Romero, the film is an homage to the zombies from the elder Romero’s classic zombie films with a fresh, contemporary and queer twist. It promises to be a genre-bending, glamorous and thrilling journey through the zombie apocalypse. The story follows a diverse group of drag queens, club kids and frenemies who must put aside their personal dramas and use their unique skills to fight the brain-hungry undead when a zombie apocalypse breaks out during their drag show in Brooklyn.

Other actresses in the film from Vanishing Angle are Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race – The Incredible Journey), Jacquel Spivey (Girls Club – Be careful, they bite!), Thomas Matos (Fire Island), Quincy Dunn-Baker (No hard feelings), Becca Blackwell (brothers), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther), Dominique Jackson (pose), Riki Lindhomme (Knife out) and Eve Lindley (brothers).

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 Deadwhose work influenced countless filmmakers and became a cornerstone of modern horror. While it’s unclear if the project is still active, Romero’s influence is evident by MGM’s move in 2022 to acquire the rights to a new film. Night of the Living Dead Continuation, with nannyNikyatu Jusu comes on board to direct.

Following George’s death in 2017, Tina Romero aims to carry the torch with a talented film full of special effects, scares, laughs, and lumbering zombies congregating on the streets of Brooklyn. Given its focus on the historically disenfranchised LGBTQ+ population, the film should naturally fit into the body of work of George A. Romero, which used a zombie apocalypse to explore social injustice and many other themes.

Matthew Lee Miller and Natalie Metzger of Vanishing Angle will serve as producers on the film.

In a statement about the project, Tina Romero said: “This is the cast of my wildest dreams. In a film about survival, you have to love and root for the survival crew. Each and every person in this ensemble brings such a special and unique touch – both on and off screen. The result is truly a magic sauce.”

Vanishing Angle’s Miller said, “We knew from the casting stage that we needed a team that could execute the film’s bold, diverse vision. This cast exceeds our wildest expectations. Their combined talent and chemistry is electrifying. Tina’s vision is groundbreaking, and we believe this ensemble will create something truly unforgettable that honors Romero’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of the genre.”

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

Her breakthrough came with her leading role alongside Kristen Stewart in A24’s Love lies bleedingO’Brian was previously seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaas well as series like The Mandalorian, Black Lightning and the zombie-focused Z Nation. Part of the cast of Universal’s Twisterswill be released on July 19, and she has also been cast in an as yet undisclosed role in Mission: Impossible 8as we first reported.

Cho is an Emmy-nominated actress and comedian and has previously appeared in films such as Prom Pact, Cora Bora, Fire Island And Good on paperamong others. Notable TV credits include Drop the dead diva And The typical American girl.

Last seen in A24s I Saw the TV glowLundy-Paine had previously played roles in films such as Bill & Ted face the music, bomb, reductiong and The Glass Castle. She also starred alongside Keir Gilchrist, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Michael Rapaport in Netflix’s coming-of-age series Atypicalwhich ran for four seasons.

Jackson’s films include the upcoming Borderland, Love is strange, Behind the candelabra And United 93among others. A regular at FX’s American Horror StoryJackson also starred in the Fox sitcom Call me Kat for three seasons.

Romero is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker whose short films (Little Girl Blue And Rainbow Arrow) and music videos have screened internationally at the Melbourne Film Festival, the Winnipeg Magical Feminism Exhibition and the Accolade Global Film Competition. Her feature film screenplay, The Lost Girlswas a finalist at the Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab. Tina’s biggest influence, both in film and in her personal life, is her father, George A. Romero, and she is also Vice President of the GARF Foundation, honoring his work and legacy.

Vanishing Angle’s recent releases include the Yogi Berra documentary It’s not over yetreleased by Sony Pictures Classics, and Werewolves inside And The beta test on Hulu. Your Tribeca title The secret art of human flight also hit theaters this July.

O’Brian is repped by Gersh, Luber Roklin Entertainment, RCM Talent & Management and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Cho by WME, manager Sarah J. Martin and Fox Rothschild; Lundy-Paine by Gersh; Jackson by Avalon Management; West by Clear Talent Group and The Benedetti Group; Spivey by Gersh and Brookside Artist Management; Jackson by Gersh, Entertainment 360 and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols; Matos by Clear Talent Group and 3 Arts Entertainment; Dunn-Baker by Buchwald and TMT Entertainment Group; Blackwell by Bohemia Group, Heroes and Villains Entertainment and Myman Greenspan Fox; Wilson by CAA, Anonymous Content and Fox Rothschild; Lindhome by 3 Arts Entertainment, Kraft-Engel Management and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis; Lindley by Station 3 and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; and Romero by Gersh and Yorn, Levine, Barnes.