Why make a new "Dawn of the Dead?" According to producer Eric Newman, it was time for the not-quite-dead zombie subgenre of horror movies to get some serious screen time once again. "Growing up, I had always loved those movies, but 'Dawn of the Dead' was my favorite. There were always other zombie movies around, but 'Dawn' felt to me like the one move that stood out from the rest. I feel that the genre has not received the attention it deserves in this generation."
The World Premiere of "Dawn of the Dead" - the 2004 edition - took place in a shopping mall in Beverly Hills. Red carpet, lights and admiring fans helped give the 8th floor of the Beverly Center a festive feel as the stars of this updated, re-envisioned, zombie horror movie got a chance to talk about their roles prior to the special screening.
SARAH POLLEY ('Ana'):
You're known for roles in gritty, dramatic indie films. What’s it like being in a big horror movie like this?
Completely surreal. I never really imagined that my life would take this turn of events. I don’t know – I never really imagined doing a big Hollywood movie, I always wanted to do smaller independent films. But this was a movie I just got really excited about. I really believed in the people who were making it. It’s completely in a direction I never thought I’d go in, but I’m really pleased with the results.
What was it about the script that attracted you?
I loved the original. I love that it has this commentary on consumerism underlying this goofy zombie movie. I really felt like Zack Snyder the director and Eric Newman the producer wanted to push this in the direction of really pushing the envelope of how twisted and insane they could get with the genre and yet still remain true to that sort of underlying sort of concept.
Did you have any qualms about working with a first time feature film director on something this big?
No, I didn’t. You know, he’s the kind of person who you sit down with him and listen to him talk, and you just believe in him. You kind of believe he’s just going to make a great movie. He just engenders that kind of confidence in people.
Would you do a horror movie like this again?
(Laughing) I don’t know. I sort of think that this will be my one venture into Hollywood and then I’ll go back and do smaller, independent films again. But you never know – I would never have expected that I’d do this.
VING RHAMES ('Kenneth'):
How is does it feel to kick some zombie ass?
I must say that some things some men are born to do. I think I was born to kick ass.
You’re toting around this baseball bat. Did you use it to beat on some zombies?
Yes, but be careful with it. There’s a special concoction in the gold [area] that once that chemical touches human skin, you dissolve into a pillar of salt. I’m not joking.
What was your first reaction to the script?
I thought it was a very good script and I felt it was about an atrocity that happens, which forces a group of people to get together who normally wouldn’t get together. And it forces them to work together to survive. It’s almost like you could take something like 9/11 and how it brought the country together. And it’s unfortunate because a lot of times it takes an atrocity to bring us together. And then a year or two or three goes by and then we go back to our normal hate for ourselves. Do you see what I’m saying? But sometimes in life an atrocity happens and it can bring different cultures and races together.
How's the work going on "Mission Impossible 3?"
Very good, we’ll be filming in July.
ADDITIONAL "DAWN OF THE DEAD" RESOURCES:
Jake Weber and Kevin Zegers Interviews
Dave Draiman (from the band Disturbed) and Scott Reiniger Interviews
Interview with Director Zack Snyder
"Dawn of the Dead" Photo Gallery
"Dawn of the Dead" Trailer, Credits and Movie News
