Well, there you have it, folks! After months of speculation, we have official confirmation that Judith O’Dea is returning as Barbra in an unofficial sequel, Night of the Living Dead: Genesis. The confirmation came today in the form of a production still featuring O’Dea in her now iconic role once again.
Currently, there’s been no explanation give as to how Barbra is returning, seeing how she was devoured by zombies in George A. Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead in 1968. Still, seeing the role revisited 47 years later is jaw dropping, and more importantly I can’t wait to see what Judith brings to the character again!
And major props to those working behind the scenes that managed to bring O’Dea back to the franchise, official or not! This is certain to bring thousands of eyes onto this project.
Night of the Living Dead: Genesis is written and directed by Matt Cloude with Will Smith. The feature film is nearing the end of production and you can find all updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NightOfTheLivingDeadGenesis.
Why can’t anyone realize her name in the original was Barbra- NO EXTRA “A”. Get it right!
Just how is it that Barbara…Barbra– however they’re spelling it for this sequel– has survived all of these years(after being carried away by zombies),for she is either in a supernatural induced sedated state(ala Jason Miller’s Father Damien in EXORCIST 3) or is slowly transforming into a zombie ? They’ve better have a really good explaination upon why they took the 1990 remake’s route of sparing Barb.
I have always loved the idea of expanding on her story. You never technically see her get bit! In the comic series “Night of the Living Dead: Barbra’s Zombie Chronicles” she is “saved” by Johnny, capitalizing on the idea presented in Romero’s later films that the zombies still have some basic human instincts at times. I don’t love that angle, and I especially don’t like the idea of some people being immune which I hope won’t be the case here! However, in the end I do feel there’s potential to explain how she survived. It’s just a matter of how they approach it.
Also, Judy is looking amazing in those pictures. For an indie production they are producing some beautiful promotional imagery!