Zombies are the new vampires

Warm Bodies, the story of a zombie rediscovering his humanity through the power of love (let’s ignore the overwhelming corniness of that phrase), comes out February 1, beginning the wave of zombie movies set for release over the next year.

With the success of AMC’s Walking Dead has come a fascination with those dead-hearted cannibals, spawning plots ranging from love stories to apocalyptic scenarios.

If you’re into rotting flesh and speech difficulties, this is definitely your year. Here’s what we have to look forward to in the 2013.

 

Warm Bodies

Release date: Feb. 1

Based on the novel of the same name by Isaac Marion and written by Jonathan Levine (50/50), Warm Bodies follows Nicholas Hoult (Beast from X-Men: First Class) as a zombie named R (he’s forgotten the rest). When he falls for a human girl named Julie (Becky the “indie” chick from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, because playing OneRepublic on the radio was SUPER uncommon…oh wait) shenanigans ensue in their very pro-human/anti-zombie world. It looks a little Twilight-ish, but way less melodramatic and with fewer sparkles. Also it’s got John Malkovich being all crazy, so that looks promising.

 

World War Z

Release date: June 21

In what appears to be a screenplay written entirely around the fact that Brad Pitt needed something to do other that film ridiculous Chanel No. 5 commercials, the successful novel World War Z, by Max Brooks has been broken down to one point of view and ditched for a prequel style film in the upcoming adaptation. Instead of seeing Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) search for the cause of the pandemic that ended the world as he knew it, the studio has produced an apocalypse story where we get to see what happened to the world. It may deviate entirely from the novel, but I’m still excited. The CGI for the hordes of zombies looks incredible and I genuinely like Brad Pitt. Don’t judge.

 

R.I.P.D

Release date: July 19

Starring Ryan Reynolds as an attractive, funny badass (oh wait, that’s all the time) named Nick Cruz, R.I.P.D tells the story of a recently killed cop who joins a police force of the undead to try to find his murderer. The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name by Peter M. Lenkov and will feature Kevin Bacon as villain Bobby Hayes and Jeff Bridges as Roy Powell, Cruz’ fellow zombie-fied officer. Luckily, this action-comedy isn’t made to be taken too seriously.

 

So, as you await the zombie apocalypse and stock up on shotgun shells and various bladed weapons, remember to do your research. Review the rules of Zombieland and head out to the movies and see what life may be like once the virus spreads.

Stay excellent, and stay warm-blooded.