While Twilight and Tru Blood have cemented the Vampire in our pop culture for the time being, nothing seems to be slowing down the shuffling undead which rose from fan obscurity and apathy with Resident Evil and Dawn Of the Dead remake a few years back. Now it seems that everyone pretty much groans when another zombie themed project arises from the depths of Hollywood but when news came out that Frank Darabont was working on adapting one of the best zombie comic books out there as a TV series then I cheered because that story is so ripe for adaption and TV is the perfect home for it, I just wished more companies would take that route instead of cramming a good story in to a couple of hours for the theater (From Hell, Watchmen, Wanted anyone?).
The comic series in question is The Walking Dead, a epic story about a group of survivors trying to keep it together following a zombie apocalypse, created by Robert Kirkman. Darabont is set to produce, write and direct the series with Gale Anne Hurd acting as producer. Not too shabby. The series will be making its debut on AMC but no word on when but hopefully in the next year or so.
The news makes me wonder what it is with Darabont and prisons since his first two films took place in one and The Mist had people trapped in a prison of sorts. The reason I ask is that The Walking Dead takes place largely inside an abandoned prison where the survivors set up camp.
In any case I'm happy to see Darabont in genre territory and look forward to what seems to be the first zombie TV series. About damn time I say.
Dead Set was a zombie TV series, aired in the UK last year, and was surprisingly gory AND satirical. Agree there should be more series of great literary/comic properties though... but maybe less like most Stephen King adaptations...
Man, this is the best news in a looooooong time. I've been praying for a cable network top pick this property up. And now to learn that one of my favorite filmmakers of all time is handling it's adaption?
Frank Darabont is the PERFECT choice to helm THE WALKING DEAD.
this news makes me happy. Now if they keep the gore as awesome as it was in Dead Set I will be even happier. I stopped reading the comic book mid-way through the Prison bit... no reason really, but hope they can get at least 3 seasons out of this.
One thing I doubt is that the level of gore will be the same. Not for a TV show. I mean, it gets pretty twisted, with Michone and The Governor and his zombie daughter. And the post prison stuff gets equally disturbing. Its getting really twisted now. But, it could still be amazing, if they don't skimp on the details. They don't have to show everything, but that at least have to allude to the fact that some pretty sick things happen. The show would loose what makes the comic book great if they don't follow through with the evil things humanity is capable of.
It's funny but everyone [including myself] stopped reading around the Prison arc.
Moving to Japan was my excuse but I must get back into it and see what Rick's up to.
Frank Darabont is the perfect choice for this and Gale Anne Hurd has long been a fav producer of mine...I mean, she made Tremors.
They should film this tomorrow dang it!
Great news! I wish someone makes World War Z to a mini series.