Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'Shaun of the Dead'

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'Shaun of the Dead' A Romantic Comedy ... With Zombies Lurching Onto DVD and VHS December 21, 2004 'The most entertaining film I have seen all year.' . Peter Jackson UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready to howl with fear and laughter at "Shaun of the Dead," a hilarious addition to the zombie movie genre, shuffling into video stores December 21, 2004. "Shaun of the Dead" gleefully homages such horror classics as "Night of the Living Dead," "Evil Dead" and "28 Days Later." Billed by its innovative creators as a zomedy (a zombie comedy), "Shaun of the Dead" boasts a terrific cast including Simon Pegg ("Band of Brothers"), Bill Nighy ("Love Actually") and Lucy Davis ("The Office"). "Shaun of the Dead" proves once and for all that while comedy may not be pretty, horror can be funny. DVD is priced $29.98 SRP. The VHS is $23.98 Dead-On Reviews Created by the team behind the award-winning British comedy show "Spaced," "Shaun of the Dead" has scared up hordes of terrific reviews. Peter Travers at Rolling Stone raved "A blast of fright and fun! Keeps the blood and the laughs gushing" while Dave Kehr at The New York Times says "it's one of the most successful blends of terror and humor since 'American Werewolf in London.'" "The funniest film of the year actually delivers some serious jolts as well!" added New York Magazine. Horror fan mega-site Fangoria.com enthuses: "'Shaun of the Dead' joins the short list of the best horror comedies ever made, and one of the best zombie movies period. It's funny, scary and imaginatively directed." Masters of scare and suspense have raved about the film. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino claims "not only is it the best movie of this year, any year from here on in, when I watch 'Shaun of the Dead,' I'll be watching the best movie of the year!" Author Stephen King claims "it's a 10 on the Fun Meter and destined to be a cult classic," director Robert Rodriguez ("Once upon a time in Mexico") calls it "a classic!" and director Sam Raimi ("Spider-man" & "Spider-man 2") says "'Shaun of the Dead' rules!" "Hellboy" director Guillermo Del Toro states the film is "brilliant, inspired and perfectly executed! I love it!" But perhaps the highest complement of all comes from fright-master extraordinaire George A. Romero, creator of the original "Dawn of the Dead" and "Night of the Living Dead": "I thought 'Shaun of the Dead' was an absolute blast!" A Casket Full Of Bonus Features "Shaun of the Dead" is groaning with bonus features including: * Missing Bits -- Outrageous outtakes and an all-new deleted scene not shown in theaters * Raw Meat -- Never-before-seen casting tapes, Simon Pegg's video diary, Edgar & Simon's flip chart, special effects comparison and make-up tests * T.V. Bits -- Interview with the band Coldplay * Audio Commentary -. Uncensored commentary by the cast, including the zombies! * "Story Gaps" -- Interviews with the actors on what happened to their characters, fun animated storyboards and voiceover by the talent * Zombie Gallery -- Photo gallery and theatrical poster designs Synopsis Get ready for a gut-busting, bone-mashing good time in the hilarious horror comedy, "Shaun of the Dead." There comes a day in every man's life when he has to get off the couch ... and kill some zombies. When flesh-eating zombies are on the hunt for a bite to eat, it's up to slacker Shaun (Simon Pegg) and his best pal Ed to save their friends and family from becoming the next entree. Satisfy your bloodthirsty appetite with the movie that masters of horror and film critics alike are hailing as the funniest and scariest movie of the year. Novelist Stephen King gushes "it's a 10 on the fun meter and destined to be a cult classic" and Devin Gordon at Newsweek calls "Shaun of the Dead" "a bloody hoot!" It's a screamingly funny outrageous Zomedy that will have you dying with laughter. CAST & FILMMAKERS Director: Edgar Wright Screenwriters: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright Producer: Nira Park Executive Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Natascha Wharton, James Wilson, Alison Owen Director of Photography: David M. Dunlap Production Designer: Marcus Rowland Editor: Chris Dickens Music: Daniel Mudford, Pete Woodhead Cast: Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Nick Frost, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Jessica Stevenson TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD Street Date: December 21, 2004 Pre-Order Date: November 16, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Price: $29.98SRP ($19.95 MAP) Selection Numbers: 25821 (Anamorphic Widescreen) Running Time: 1 hour and 39 minutes Layers: Dual Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Rating: R . For Zombie violence, gore and language Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/Caption; French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/Subtitles VHS Street Date: December 21, 2004 Pre-Order Date: November 16, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Price: $23.98SRP ($15.95 MAP) Selection Number: 62819 Running Time: 1 hour and 39 minutes Rating: R . For Zombie violence, gore and language Picture: Full Frame Audio: Hi-Fi Stereo Surround Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal. CONTACTS Universal Studios Home Entertainment Vivian Mayer Evan Fong Senior Vice President, Publicity Executive Director, Publicity (818) 777-3594 (818) 777-5540 Craig Radow Heather David Manager, Print Publicity Manager, Broadcast Publicity (818) 777-4572 (818) 777-0549 Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment CONTACT: Vivian Mayer, Senior Vice President, Publicity, +1-818-777-3594, or Evan Fong, Executive Director, Publicity, +1-818-777-5540, or Craig Radow, Manager, Print Publicity, +1-818-777-4572, or Heather David, Manager, Broadcast Publicity, +1-818-777-0549, all of Universal Studios Home Entertainment ------- Profile: International Entertainment