Set Visit Preview: Dead of Night

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Source:Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor

May 7, 2009

The Thalia Power Plant in New Orleans is a cavern of rust, brick and steel situated ten minutes from the French Quarter. In the world of Dylan Dog, which is not unlike the real New Orleans except it's populated by a myriad of supernatural creatures, this abandoned location is brimming with zombies.

"The place is more overcrowded than Riker's Island," explains Dylan, the fictional character based on the popular Italian comic book which is getting the live-action treatment in Kevin Munroe's Dead of Night. Embodied by Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Dylan cuts a striking figure in his blue jeans and signature red shirt and black blazer. He's accompanied by Marcus (Sam Huntington), a close friend who's very much "undead." They're descending into the bowels of the Power Plant, Marcus hesitant. Dylan, ready for anything.

It's day 24 on the set of Dead of Night and ShockTillYouDrop.com is in attendance watching this scene play out. Munroe, making his live-action debut after the all-CG TMNT, is cool and collected. As well he should be. Shooting is going smooth today, furthermore, he has a confident producing team, Scott Rosenberg and Gil Adler, in attendance.

The former, representing production outfit Platinum Studios, couldn't be more thrilled to see Dylan coming to life. "This has been gestating for about ten years," Rosenberg says. "I fell in love with the character when finding it through a European library and put together a pitch that [screenwriters] Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Donnelly came up with a great story for." The pair, responsible for Sahara, opted to tell a Dylan adventure that finds the paranormal detective in a form of retirement. When he's called upon by a female client (Journey to the Center of the Earth's Anita Briem), Dylan is forced to revisit an underworld where zombies, werewolves (played by Peter Stormare and Kurt Angle) and vampires (Taye Diggs) exist.

"We pitched the town like one normally does," Rosenberg continues. "We took it to a bunch of studios and set it up at Dimension. That didn't go well for a couple of different development reasons. During that time period after, we talked to one animation house, that's now defunct, who was going to do an animated version - at the same time we were planning live action."

Platinum ultimately partnered with Hyde Park Films, Omnilab and Adler, best known for his time on the HBO series Tales from the Crypt, its feature films and the Dark Castle entries House on Haunted Hill and Thirteen Ghosts, not to mention Superman Returns and Valkyrie (yeah, the guy is a pretty big deal). Adler's involvement came courtesy of Routh, the first actor to commit to the picture over a year ago.

"Brandon's a really good friend because of Superman Returns," Adler explains. "He asked me to read the script last summer. I was smiling at the end of the script because I had such fond feelings of Tales from the Crypt, it really felt like it could have been a Tales from the Crypt movie. It's scary, horrific and yet there's something deliciously humorous about it." After multiple meetings with Munroe, the producer agreed to participate in the picture.

Today is just day one of ShockTillYouDrop.com's two-day visit. In a full set report to come, we'll bring you interviews with Routh, Huntington, Briem, Adler, Rosenberg, Angle and many more as well as dish you some of the details on how this writer was called upon to do some zombie performing in the film. Hang tight and enjoy this exclusive first look at Routh as Dylan Dog in the film!

19 comments

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Posted by: General Gokemidoro on May 7, 2009 at 05:47:27

Wow...Hopefully day 2 of this exclusive look is not as incredably dull as day 1. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzz. Finally a cure for my insomnia.

Posted by: Brad on May 7, 2009 at 08:25:12

I've been following this over at http://deadofnightmovie.wordpress.com. They've got some dude on set blogging about it. He makes it sound a BIT more interesting.

Posted by: djblack1313 on May 7, 2009 at 09:46:36

i hope this turns out really good! it seems like it could go either way to the extreme. i hope Brandon can pull this off. so far the pic with him in the eye patch/piece on wasn't all that impressive but we'll see.

Posted by: juicebeast on May 7, 2009 at 10:10:17

Looks awesome, I can't wait!

Posted by: mcooper on May 7, 2009 at 11:34:39

the only thing I think Routh has done right...is playing that gay man on Zak and Miri make a porno

Posted by: Vgerland on May 7, 2009 at 11:52:36

I am getting more and more excited as more this movie is reported.

I think it is sounding like a very scary but fun movie and I can't wait to see it on the big screen.

I don't understand what is wrong with some of you people already trying to find fault. Sheesh, try to have an open mind or you will be dissappointed with EVERYTHING in life.

BTW. I thought this was a great article and I am holding my breath just waiting for what is coming next.

Posted by: RJ Scriber on May 7, 2009 at 12:08:08

It might just be me, but I'm getting a sort of a Hellboy-ish vibe off of it. Which, isn't a bad thing. I am a little bit curious about Kurt Angle playing a werewolf though... should be fun.

Posted by: Ryan Rotten, Managing Editor on May 7, 2009 at 12:14:12

The article is meant to serve as a tease. A "preview." Think I'm gonna blow everything that happened on the first day? It'd give me nothing to write about. Saw quite a bit and a full report will be coming.

Posted by: Scribe on May 7, 2009 at 13:40:42

When I was growing up, I spent my summers in Italy (my mother is from Rome), and I use to love reading these comics. Brandon is perfect for Dylan Dog, and cannot wait to see this movie.

Posted by: A ssholeofA ssholes on May 7, 2009 at 16:38:20

I still say Kurt Angle snaps and breaks everyone's ankle's... OK more like hope.

Posted by: Jose Ulloa on May 7, 2009 at 19:47:45

I just don`t get it...how can Brandon Routh look more like Superman in real life, but in the "Returns" he looks more like poorly made Ken?

Posted by: Star on May 8, 2009 at 12:55:37

Great news!!

Posted by: cool girl on May 9, 2009 at 18:00:11

this should be a huge hit!!! probably the first of soooo many more to come!!! Brandon Routh,the guy is hot!!!! and Sam Huntington,absolutely adorable!! I'm so excited -- hurry up and finish the movie!

Posted by: syd on May 10, 2009 at 14:54:46

seems interesting.

correct me if i'm wrong, but wasn't the movie Cemetery Man (Dellamorte Dellamore) based on the Dylan Dog comics? Bring back Rupert Everette!

Posted by: DangerMan on May 15, 2009 at 14:10:49

First of all, can Brandon Routh PLEEEAASSSEE just go away. Seriously, does anybody want to see this guy "not act" in any more movies. God...and whats up with that stupid promo pic with the dumb looking "HellBoy" goggle. AWFUL.

Posted by: john on May 17, 2009 at 14:43:58

so where's the set visit? still not up?

Posted by: Visionary on May 18, 2009 at 12:48:20

Awesome. Routh was great as Supes. Really wanna see how he does here.

Posted by: Dimebag on May 19, 2009 at 15:22:01

man everyone dirnking their daily dose of hateraide on a daily basis, everyone talks ****, yet doesn't do anything to make it better, i tinhk brandon is a good actor, and jus needs the chance to prove, yet everyone *****ing and moaning, does not act, does not own millions, and could get any girl, jealousy is a *****/rant ended/ dylan dog is goin to be sick

Posted by: m. bison hater on May 22, 2009 at 20:01:59

Routh cast in another main character role... i forsee another major bomb. I'd rather watch paint dry than another pathetic attempt to display his feeble acting skills. Or I should actual say the lack thereof.