This Day in Horror History: SHAUN OF THE DEAD Was Released in 2004
Josh Millican
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On this day in 2004, Shaun of the Dead was released in the UK (it hit US shores later the same year on September 24th). It came out the same year as Zack Snyder’s remake of George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead and, while the two films have vastly different tones, they established zombies as the dominant subgenre of the 2000s. Shaun, especially, made the undead mainstream and it remains the bar against which many horror comedies are measured.
If it’s been a while, revisit the trailer and synopsis for Shaun of the Dead below.
Synopsis:
Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 30-something loser with a dull, easy existence. When he’s not working at the electronics store, he lives with his slovenly best friend, Ed (Nick Frost), in a small flat on the outskirts of London. The only unpredictable element in his life is his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), who wishes desperately for Shaun to grow up and be a man. When the town is inexplicably overrun with zombies, Shaun must rise to the occasion and protect both Liz and his mother (Penelope Wilton).
Trivia:
George A. Romero, the creator of the movies this film pays homage to and lampoons, was so impressed with Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s work that he asked them to cameo in Land of the Dead (2005) as zombies. (Source)
Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright considered a sequel that would replace zombies with another monster, but decided against it, as they were pleased with this movie as a stand-alone product, and thought too many characters died to continue the story. The proposed title was From Dusk till Shaun. (Source)
Are you a Shaun of the Dead fan? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
Categorized:News This Day in Horror
