Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn, also known as Night of the Living Dead: Origins and Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D, is a 2015 animated horror film directed by Krisztian Majdik and Zebediah De Soto and produced by Simon West.[1][2] The film is a re-telling of the original Night of the Living Dead in a contemporary setting.
| Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Krisztian Majdik, Zebediah De Soto |
| Written by | Zebediah De Soto, David R. Schwartz |
| Produced by | Simon West Jib Polhemus Gus Malliarodakis |
| Starring | Tony Todd Danielle Harris Bill Moseley R. Madhavan Joseph Pilato Sydney Tamiia Poitier Alona Tal Tom Sizemore |
| Cinematography | Gabriel Sabloff |
| Edited by | Krisztian Majdik |
| Music by | Jermaine Stegall |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Premise
editAn animated re-telling of the original Night of the Living Dead film. Set in modern-day New York City rather than 1960s rural Pennsylvania. Centers on a group of desperate survivors fighting to stay alive barricaded in an abandoned apartment building. Confined, cut off from the world, and under constant attack from the undead hordes closing in around them, the six main characters struggle to survive while also confronting their own sense of compassion and humanity.
Cast
edit- Tony Todd as Ben[3]
- Danielle Harris as Barbara Todd[4]
- Bill Moseley as Johnny Todd[5]
- R. Madhavan as Tom Bitner[6]
- Joseph Pilato as Harry Cooper[7]
- Sydney Tamiia Poitier as Tami[8]
- Alona Tal as Helen Cooper
- Tom Sizemore as Chief McClellan
- Sarah Habel as Judy Rose Larson
- Jesse Corti as News Reporter
- Anastasia Roark as Susan Donaldson
- Cornell Womack as Hunter Deets[9]
- Erin Braswell as Judy[10]
- Mike Diskint as Tom[11]
- Tech N9ne as Zombie
Production
editThe film had been in production on and off for five years since 2009.[12] According to Tony Todd, the film had two different directors with two different approaches at different points in time.[13] The film features visual effects from The Graphic Film Company, Los Angeles, which relied on the iPi Soft iPi Motion Capture markerless motion capture software. The software’s ability allows the filmmakers to produce very large amounts of moving zombies on screen and also allows the actors to motion capture their performances as if they were acting on a real film set.[14]
Mos Def was originally cast as a voice actor,[15] but after a short time, he was released from the project.[16] Both Todd and Moseley would be reprising their roles as Ben and Johnny, respectively, from the 1990 version of the film. Indian actor R. Madhavan was signed on to play a role in mid 2013.[17]
Release and reception
editThe film was reported to be complete in May 2014. A theatrical release across the United States of America was planned in the fall of 2014. However this did not happen.[14] The film later premiered at 2015 Comic Con held in San Diego as a part of the Walker Stalker Fan Fest, during July 2015.[18] The film was later released in October 2015 on iTunes and OnDemand stations across the United States.
To date there have been no reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes.[19]
References
edit- ^ J.C. Maçek III (2012-06-15). "The Zombification Family Tree: Legacy of the Living Dead". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 2017-07-03. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ "Moseley, Mos Def Join 'Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D' Cast". 21 November 2009.
- ^ Exclusive: First Look at Tony Todd as Ben as Night of the Living Dead: Origins
- ^ Six join Night of Living Dead voice cast
- ^ "Bill Moseley Talks Night Of The Living Dead: Origins". Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
- ^ Madhavan is excited to stay at George Harrison’s iconic house
- ^ Exclusive Early Character Test Rendering: Night of the Living Dead Origins
- ^ "Tony Todd, Sydney Tamiia Poitier Will Star In A 'Night Of The Living Dead' Reboot In 3D - Shadow and Act". Archived from the original on 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ More Cast Added to Night of the Living Dead: Origins
- ^ Two More Lend Their Voices to Night of the Living Dead: Origins
- ^ New Promo Art: Night of the Living Dead: Origins
- ^ Turek, Ryan (2015-05-09). "Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D is Finally Done and Screening". ShockTillYouDrop.com. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (2015-07-02). "Q&A: Tony Todd Talks "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: DARKEST DAWN" and More". Fangoria. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- ^ a b Barton, Steve (2014-05-09). "Night of the Living Dead: Origins Shambles to Cannes". Dread Central. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- ^ Barton, Steve (2009-10-04). "Casting for NOTLD: Origins Coming Together". Dread Central. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- ^ Barton, Steve (2009-09-28). "Exclusive: First Look at Night of the Living Dead: Origins". Dread Central. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2013-08-15). "A 3D 'Night Of The Living Dead' Re-Do In Works With Bollywood Star R. Madhavan". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- ^ Roberts, Lauren (8 July 2015). "2015 Comic Con San Diego Hosts Walker Stalker Fan Fest, Highlighting The Walking Dead". FanSided. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- ^ "Night of the Living Dead: Origins (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2021.