In 2017, renowned filmmaker George A. Romero passed away, leaving behind a treatment co-written with Paolo Zelati for the seventh installment in his beloved Living Dead franchise. According to Entertainment Weekly, the Romero estate is collaborating with Roundtable Entertainment to bring Twilight of the Dead to the big screen. The film’s screenplay, penned by Zelati, Joe Knetter, and Robert Lucas, is now complete, and shooting is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico this year.
Twilight of the Dead is the last film in George Romero’s ground-breaking Living Dead saga, which the legendary filmmaker started writing before his passing in 2017.
Twilight of the Dead will purportedly serve as the concluding installment in the long-running Living Dead saga, which comprises six films and various spinoffs and remakes. Initially announced in 2021, the project has seen limited updates since.
Suzanne, the widow of Romero, expressed in a statement her belief in Roundtable’s ability to create a film that best upholds the Romero legacy, suggesting that the estate was seeking the right company to bring the picture to life.
“I’m delighted to be joining forces with Roundtable to bring the eerie evolution of Romero’s universe to the screen,” said Suzanne. “Roundtable impressed me with their long-term and deep love of George’s work. I believe they have the vision to produce the best version of this movie that honors the Romero legacy.”
Taking place on a tropical island, Twilight of the Dead is said to expand upon themes explored in Romero’s last film, Survival of the Dead from 2009. This new installment will reportedly center around zombies who retain enough of their living personalities to hold grudges and form factions.
“I’m delighted to be joining forces with Roundtable to bring the eerie evolution of Romero’s universe to the screen. Roundtable impressed me with their long-term and deep love of George’s work. I believe they have the vision to produce the best version of this movie that honors the Romero legacy.”
Suzanne Romero on making Twilight of the Dead
The production team is currently in negotiations with a director and had initial talks with the cast before being affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike, prompting them to apply for an interim agreement. According to Deadline, if this latest installment proves successful, the production team, which includes Suzanne Romero, is open to creating more movies as part of a new franchise.
Back when Twilight of the Dead was first announced, Paolo Zelati revealed that George Romero did not envision Survival of the Dead as the proper conclusion to his Living Dead series. Zelati noted that Romero did not view that film or 2007’s Diary of the Dead as part of the same overarching story that commenced with Night of the Living Dead. Instead, Twilight of the Dead was intended to be Romero’s farewell to the genre he created, and he aimed to conclude his legacy with a potent and impactful film.
George Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead is one of the most influential films ever made, with Twilight of the Dead serving as the culmination of his life’s work.
In 1968, George A. Romero revolutionized the zombie genre with Night of the Living Dead, a low-budget sensation that continues to be impactful even after decades. Throughout his career, he directed five more iconic zombie films, such as Dawn of the Dead (1978), Day of the Dead (1985), and Land of the Dead (2005). While privately battling lung cancer, he quietly worked on developing Twilight of the Dead until his passing at the age of 77.
In addition to Twilight of the Dead, MGM is currently in the process of developing an untitled sequel to the iconic film Night of the Living Dead, and they have enlisted the talented Nikyatu Jusu (The Nanny) to direct. The screenplay for this sequel has been crafted by LaTyoa Morgan, known for her work on the popular TV series The Walking Dead. Plot details are being kept under wraps for the film, and it’s important to note that the Romero estate is not involved with the project.
