Night of the Living Dead Is Becoming a Vertical Horror Series
A Night of the Living Dead vertical series is in development for Room418, a new Los Angeles studio and mobile platform built specifically around horror.
Deadline reports that George A. Romero’s 1968 zombie landmark is one of ten original and adapted projects Room418 has optioned as it prepares to launch. The project is being developed as a vertical microdrama, meaning the story is designed for the portrait-oriented format familiar to phone viewers rather than being a conventional feature-film remake squeezed onto a smaller screen.
Night of the Living Dead Goes Vertical for Room418
Room418 describes itself as horror built for vertical viewing, with vertical-first originals at the center of the platform alongside other curated programming. An invite-only beta is planned before the full commercial launch, although the company has not announced a public launch date.
The initial development slate also includes an adaptation of Ben Sobieck’s When the Black-Eyed Children Knock, a Wattpad story about a new father confronted by mysterious children with completely black eyes.
A Different Kind of Horror Remake
The format separates this Night of the Living Dead project from a conventional feature remake. Vertical drama is built around short episodes designed for phone viewing, and Room418 is developing its slate specifically around that format.
Romero’s film has been reworked, referenced and reinvented for decades, but rebuilding it specifically for vertical storytelling creates a different challenge. Room418 has not yet announced casting, episode length or a release date for the adaptation.
