No doubt in the same spirit as its title, The Curse of the Buxom Strumpet looks to bring a fun blend of horror hi-jinx and bawdy humor to a starched period drama backdrop. According to Screen Daily, Matthew Butler will helm this zombie horror/comedy set in the 18th century, with acting heavyweights Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen starring.
With only about a $3 million budget, this film project boasts an impressive cast. Dench and McKellen will be joined by Gillian Anderson (X-Files) and Mark Williams (Harry Potter). Butler has dabbled in acting, but it seems he’s passionate about getting behind the camera. The story for The Curse of the Buxom Strumpet, co-written by Butler and Tori Hart, is an extension of his 2010 short film E’gad Zombies. McKellen also narrated Butler’s film short, and had a small cameo role.
Capitalizing on the current zombie mania and the popularity of mixed-genre projects (like upcoming book to film adaptations Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter), The Curse of the Buxom Strumpet might hit all the right notes. Dench and McKellen’s presence will add plenty of cinematic legitimacy to the film project, which is being shopped around at Cannes this week.
Butler and Hart both worked on the short film E’gad Zombies, co-writing and starring in it. Their production company Fizz and Ginger will produce The Curse of the Buxom Strumpet, with filming to start later this year in Scotland.
