It has been a long time coming, but Zombieland has finally come back from the dead. The 2009 cult movie went through a number of rumored iterations, including a film sequel, a TV series, and an animated series. It finally landed as a pilot for Amazon Studios. What is different about the Amazon model of programming is that the pilot is online, allowing anyone in America to watch it and leave comments. It is this super-direct focus group mentality that will decide whether more episodes are made.
We spoke with Zombieland writers and creators Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick about the many different versions of their story, what we can expect from a TV series, and what it is like working with Amazon.
It's kind of widely known that Zombieland started as a television pilot. Why don't you give us a little bit of the history of how it began and...
We spoke with Zombieland writers and creators Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick about the many different versions of their story, what we can expect from a TV series, and what it is like working with Amazon.
It's kind of widely known that Zombieland started as a television pilot. Why don't you give us a little bit of the history of how it began and...
- 4/30/2013
- by Alyse Wax
- FEARnet
Recently we had a chance to sit down via conference call with co-creators/executive producers of Amazon TV's "Zombieland" (review) Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and we've come back with a transcript of the highlights!
First up, a little bit of the history of how it began and how it has evolved to where it is now on Amazon...
Rhett Reese: Well, we always intended Zombieland to be a television series. And we originally sold a pilot script to CBS back in 2005. They decided not to make it, which was a blessing in disguise because that pilot script we ultimately expanded into the move Zombieland.
When Zombieland came out and succeeded as it did, there was a lot of talk of a Zombieland 2, a sequel. And we tried very, very hard to make that happen. Unfortunately the movie gods didn't smile on us. We had a few key...
First up, a little bit of the history of how it began and how it has evolved to where it is now on Amazon...
Rhett Reese: Well, we always intended Zombieland to be a television series. And we originally sold a pilot script to CBS back in 2005. They decided not to make it, which was a blessing in disguise because that pilot script we ultimately expanded into the move Zombieland.
When Zombieland came out and succeeded as it did, there was a lot of talk of a Zombieland 2, a sequel. And we tried very, very hard to make that happen. Unfortunately the movie gods didn't smile on us. We had a few key...
- 4/25/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Holy crusty zombies, Batman, there’s going to be a Zombieland spin-off! Amazon Studios plans to make the pilot a reality and actor Kirk Ward just signed on to lead the cast.
The actor who appeared in The Island, will be taking on the role of Tallahassee, who was brought to life in the 2009 film by Woody Harrelson. Yes, I’d squabble that Harrelson wasn’t exactly the film’s lead. As Columbus, it was Jesse Eisenberg who the audience meets and follows first. But that’s just semantics. The point is, where there’s a pilot, a series could follow.
The comedy pilot will be produced by Sony TV and continues the bloody, cardio-filled adventures of Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock. Tyler Ross will act in the part of Columbus and Izabela Vidovic has been cast as Little Rock. Those are the only names we have so far.
The actor who appeared in The Island, will be taking on the role of Tallahassee, who was brought to life in the 2009 film by Woody Harrelson. Yes, I’d squabble that Harrelson wasn’t exactly the film’s lead. As Columbus, it was Jesse Eisenberg who the audience meets and follows first. But that’s just semantics. The point is, where there’s a pilot, a series could follow.
The comedy pilot will be produced by Sony TV and continues the bloody, cardio-filled adventures of Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock. Tyler Ross will act in the part of Columbus and Izabela Vidovic has been cast as Little Rock. Those are the only names we have so far.
- 2/20/2013
- by Sasha Nova
- Boomtron
There’s been quite a bit of news about Amazon’s Zombieland series over the past few weeks. Columbus and Little Rock were cast first, then came the ever-sassy Wichita. Now, finally, they have a gruff, Twinkie-loving leader.
Kirk Ward, who has worked in movies as varied as The Island, Forrest Gump, and Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, will star as Tallahassee, Deadline reports.
“Original Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick wrote the pilot and executive produce with the movie’s producer, Gavin Polone. I hear Reese and Wernick, who conceived Zombieland as a TV show, originally had Ward in mind for Tallahassee after meeting the actor while shooting the William Shatner-starring Spike TV limited series Invasion Iowa,” Deadline said.
via Deadline...
Kirk Ward, who has worked in movies as varied as The Island, Forrest Gump, and Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, will star as Tallahassee, Deadline reports.
“Original Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick wrote the pilot and executive produce with the movie’s producer, Gavin Polone. I hear Reese and Wernick, who conceived Zombieland as a TV show, originally had Ward in mind for Tallahassee after meeting the actor while shooting the William Shatner-starring Spike TV limited series Invasion Iowa,” Deadline said.
via Deadline...
- 2/20/2013
- by Sara Castillo
- FEARnet
Exclusive: Kirk Ward (The Island) is set as the main lead in Zombieland, Amazon Studios’ comedy pilot based on the hit 2009 movie. The project, produced by Sony TV, is a continuation of the adventures of Tallahassee (Ward), Columbus (Tyler Ross), Wichita, and her younger sister Little Rock (Izabela Vidovic) — four humans who band together to survive the zombie apocalypse. In the movie Tallahassee, a square-jawed former lowly sandwich vendor-turned-the world’s most gifted zombie slayer, was played by Woody Harrelson. Original Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick wrote the pilot and executive produce with the movie’s producer, Gavin Polone. I hear Reese and Wernick, who conceived Zombieland as a TV show, originally had Ward in mind for Tallahassee after meeting the actor while shooting the William Shatner-starring Spike TV limited series Invasion Iowa. After a successful feature detour, Zombieland now is back in TV land with Ward as lead.
- 2/20/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
With Netflix’s first stab at original content with House Of Cards proving a big success, Amazon will be hoping that its own flagship pilot, Zombieland, can generate similar buzz. Sony TV, which is backing the embryonic show, has now rounded up someone brave enough to fill Woody Harrelson’s hat, and Kirk Ward will be the series’ Tallahassee. Zombieland writer/producers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese are overseeing the new show, which has kicked off work on its pilot in Atlanta. According to Deadline, the pair had Ward originally in mind for Tallahassee after working with him on short-lived TV comedy Invasion Iowa, but that the film version needed a bigger name.Ward will co-star alongside Tyler Ross (Columbus), Izabela Vidovic (Little Rock) and Maiara Walsh, who inherits Emma Stone’s mantle as Wichita.The series (set as 30 minute shows) continues the foursome’s adventures in a zombie-infested America,...
- 2/19/2013
- EmpireOnline
As much as I wanted to love Wolverine, I couldn't get past the horrible dialog, plot, and misuse of iconic Marvel characters. They couldn't even get Wolverine's claws right---and it's not like they haven't had several other films to perfect such a simple effect. Needless to say, my enthusiasm for the upcoming Deadpool film has been fairly tepid thus far. Now Chud is running an interesting rumor that, if true, could actually make me hopeful for a Deadpool film. Apparently, Fox may be looking to hire the writers of this summer's Zombieland, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, for the film. The writing duo, who have worked together on television projects like The Joe Schmo Show and Invasion Iowa, are pretty much a perfect fit for the wise-cracking character. They're certainly a better pair than Wolverine's David Benioff (a legitimately good writer, having written both the novel and screenplay...
- 12/8/2009
- by Devindra Hardawar
- Slash Film
Emma Stone, whose credits include Superbad, The Rocker and The House Bunny, is in talks to join the cast of the Columbia Pictures horror-comedy Zombieland, report the trades. Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg star in the flick, which centers on a band of survivors who team to fight the living dead in the post-apocalyptic Southwest after a zombie plague ravages America. Ruben Fleischer will direct from a script by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese. Wernick was a writer on the faux reality shows The Joe Schmo Show and Invasion Iowa and Reese’s credits include Monsters, Inc., Clifford's Really Big Movie and Cruel Intentions 3. The project will be Fleischer’s feature directorial debut. Gavin Palone (Ghost Town, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Panic Room) is producing the film, which begins shooting in Atlanta in February. Zombieland will open in 2010.
- 1/16/2009
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
When the zombie comedy Zombieland was first mentioned a few months back, I don’t think anyone expected a name like Woody Harrelson would eventually be attached to it. But, according to The Hollywood Reporter this morning, that’s just what’s happened!
Zombieland is the tale of two survivors of a zombie uprising who find “friendship and redemption” in a world overrun by the undead. Harrelson will play one of those survivors, a man named Albuquerque.
The script was penned by Rhett Resse & Paul Wernick (Cruel Intentions 3, “Invasion Iowa”) with directorial duties in the hands of newcomer Ruben Fleischer. Obviously Harrelson is quite a coup for the team behind Zombieland, so it’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the cast fills out.
Keep it here to find out!
- Johnny Butane
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Zombieland is the tale of two survivors of a zombie uprising who find “friendship and redemption” in a world overrun by the undead. Harrelson will play one of those survivors, a man named Albuquerque.
The script was penned by Rhett Resse & Paul Wernick (Cruel Intentions 3, “Invasion Iowa”) with directorial duties in the hands of newcomer Ruben Fleischer. Obviously Harrelson is quite a coup for the team behind Zombieland, so it’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the cast fills out.
Keep it here to find out!
- Johnny Butane
Get Yourself Something Cool From Evilshop!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Tell...
- 8/26/2008
- by Johnny Butane
- DreadCentral.com
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