After five films and a 20-year break, the Return of the Living Dead franchise returns next Christmas with a brand new sequel to the original classic, and we’ve got the teaser trailer. From Living Dead Media and director Steve Wolsh (Muck, Kill Her Goats), the Christmas-themed sequel Return of the Living Dead will be shambling our way […]
After five films and a 20-year break, the Return of the Living Dead franchise returns next Christmas with a brand new sequel to the original classic, and we’ve got the teaser trailer.
From Living Dead Media and director Steve Wolsh (Muck, Kill Her Goats), the Christmas-themed sequel Return of the Living Dead will be shambling our way for Christmas 2025.
This footage shows the iconic Return of the Living Dead zombie known as Tarman dragging a Christmas tree through a cemetery as a blizzard rages around him. Watch below.
The new story takes place in a small Pennsylvania town over Christmas, and it’s set in 1985, 18 months after the events of the original film. “Fans of the film will know not to expect to see any returning characters, given their terrible fates in the original,” Living Dead Media explains. According to Wolsh, this is not a reboot or a remake, but a brand-new adventure and it won’t in any way trample the original film’s legacy. “Audiences can expect to be welcomed back into the dark humored, sexy, edgy, Trioxin fueled world horror fans first encountered in 1985.”
“Utilizing our widescreen anamorphic lenses, we captured the practical snow effects swirling against the night sky that gives it an amazing look and texture; it’s going to blow people away seeing an entire film made like this,” Wolsh says of the first-look footage. The teaser clip was produced without CGI or greenscreen, using all practical effects on location. Wolsh is committed to making the whole film with the same devotion to old school in-camera storytelling. As an added nod to the original film, we’re told, Wolsh and his team have built this cemetery in much the same manner as Resurrection Cemetery was built for the first film.
Additionally, the production has called in SFX legend Tony Gardner (Zombieland, Hocus Pocus, Chucky franchise) to establish the zombie look for the story. Tony and his team at Alterian Inc. were first tasked with creating a Tarman true to the original but evolved, more realistic, and scarier, using decades of experience and modern technology and material to create amazing old-school practical effects. Gardner said, “[To be able to] up the horror, but be true to its roots, I feel like I’m the perfect person for the job… and I’m really excited.”
Visit returnofthelivingdead.com for more including exclusive behind the scenes clips.
