Romeo and Juliet and Zombies

Story in One Sentence:

But soft, what light from yonder window breaks?

Story Synopsis:

The screenplay for Romeo and Juliet and Zombies is loosely based on Shakespeare’s original script. Much of the dialog has been cast into modern vernacular, except where classic scenes with classic dialog might be expected by our audience. References to “star-crossed lovers”, “fair Verona”, “parting is such sweet sorrow” and the like are retained.  The motion picture is sure to engender the wrath of high school English teachers around the world, or perhaps it may create its own cult following among young people who come to appreciate the original because of our mash up of classic vs. modern thought and expression.

The screenplay is divided into three acts, although Shakespeare’s original play called for five acts. Shakespeare’s original five acts have been incorporated into the screenplay as follows:

1. Act One of our screenplay consists of an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Act I Prologue, followed by Act I, Scenes 1-5.

2. Act Two of our screenplay consists of an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Act II Prologue, followed by Act II, Scenes 1-6; then followed by Act III, Scenes 1-5.

3. Act Three of our screenplay consists of Shakespeare’s Act IV, Scenes 1-5; followed by Act V, Scenes 1-3.

In addition, we have crafted our own take on the final scene of Shakespeare’s play, explaining the real, untold reason for the reconciliation of the Capulet/Montague feud, which is the coming together of the families to defeat the zombies which threaten fair Verona. By having to dispatch their own children, family members (including Lady Montague, Tybalt, Mercutio), and other close people who have become “zombified” due to the infection by the “foul plague” that has run rampant through fair Verona, the Capulet and Mantague families come together to defeat a mutual problem.

The screenplay takes quite a bit of liberty with Shakespeare’s script, of course, but every attempt has been made to keep the flavor of the original. It is interesting to note that Shakespeare included “foreshadowing” of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet by references to the pale looks of the young people, especially in Act Two of our play (the classic balcony scene). We, of course, have modified that particular scene to foreshadow our characters becoming zombies at the end of the motion picture.