Demarest Films, the company that’s worked on films including Tusk and A Most Wanted Man, is moving into the TV realm. Not only is Demarest moving forward with a limited-series adaptation of the John le Carre novel The Night Manager with Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston, but now they’re working on a TV adaptation of George A. Romero’s 15-issue graphic novel Empire of the Dead as well.
Apparently Empire of the Dead takes a similar approach to zombies as Romero’s previous works, but what sets the graphic novel apart is that it puts vampires in the mix as well. Romero wrote the graphic novel and will pen the series alongside Peter Grunwald. Both will also serve as executive producers with Demarest’s Sam Englebardt and William D. Johnson. Here’s what Englebardt had to say about the project:
“Demarest is thrilled to bring more of George’s unique vision to screens everywhere, because he’s truly the one who started it all. I am also particularly pleased to be collaborating with George and Peter again, following our success with Diary of the Dead.”
Grunwald added:
“We’re very excited to team up with Demarest on a project we’ve loved from the beginning. The story has taken us to some new and unexpected places, and we can’t wait to bring it alive on screen.”
Here’s the description of George Romero’s Empire of the Dead: Act One #1 via Marvel:
ZOMBIE GODFATHER GEORGE ROMERO UNLEASHES HIS NEXT UNDEAD EPIC—AS AN ALL-NEW MARVEL COMIC! Welcome to New York City years after the undead plague has erupted—but just because Manhattan has been quarantined, don't think that everyone inside is safe! Not only do flesh-eaters roam within Manhattan, but there's another ancient predator about to take a bite out of the Big Apple! Plus: It's a terrorizing team-up in variant cover form when the Zombie Godfather unites with the Zombie King