Devon Sawa to Star in Next ‘Return of the Living Dead’ Movie

Return of the Living Dead has come alive with Devon Sawa.

The veteran actor will star for Steve Wolsh who is directing the film from his own script. Sawa will play the role of Isaac Horton alongside new cast members Casimere “Cash” Jollette (Tiny Pretty Things) as Delilah Horton, and Kynlee Heiman (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever) as Sophia Horton. Alexander Ward — a veteran actor, stunt performer and artist who has played demons, monsters and villains in a variety of projects including Teen Wolf, Ghosted, Annabelle Comes Home, Escape the Night, Westworld and American Horror Story — has been cast as the movie’s iconic Tarman.

As previously reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Wolsh’s Living Dead Media confirmed that the project isn’t a reboot of the original but rather a new installment in the beloved horror-comedy franchise. It’s set in a small Pennsylvania town in Christmas 1985, 18 months after the events of the original film directed by Dan O’Bannon. That film followed the unfortunate events that ensued after two bumbling employees at the Uneeda Medical Supply warehouse accidentally released a deadly gas into the air, which led the dead to rise as zombies, infecting the entire town and inadvertently sealing its fate.

News of the new film came in December 2024, as Wolsh and his team had been working toward a planned debut this year, which marks the milestone 40th anniversay of the cult classic. At the time, they dropped a teaser that featured the franchise’s spooky Tarman emerging in a snow covered cemetery dragging a Christmas tree across the landscape as a rendition of “Silent Night” set the mood.

It’s understood that the team has commenced shooting and already finished the Los Angeles portion of production with principal photography scheduled to continue this winter in Massachusetts once there’s a baseline of snow on the ground to aid with practical effects. Additional casting is expected.

The Return of the Living Dead team revealed the news during an appearance at Los Angeles Comic Con last weekend that featured the cast members in addition to the unveiling of a private teaser made exclusively for attendees of the panel discussion.

The franchise already includes five films: the 1985 installment, followed by sequels 1988’s Return of the Living Dead II from Ken Wiederhorn, 1993’s Return of the Living Dead III from Brian Yuzna, 2005’s Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis from Ellory Elkayem and 2005’s Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave, also directed by Elkayem. Tom Fox produced or executive produced all of the aforementioned titles. His son, Christopher W. Fox, will executive produce the new installment with Rodger May, Peter M. Moglia and Joseph Shelley. Wolsh is producing.

Sawa is perhaps best known for Final Destination, Casper, Now and Then and Idle Hands. His other credits include Slackers, Nikita, Eminem’s “Stan,” Chucky, Heart Eyes, SLC Punk! and more. He’s repped by Gersh and Artists First.

Jollette is repped by Arise Artists Agency, Luber Roklin Entertainment and Management by Morgan. Her other credits include Dark Winds, Code Black and Dirty John. Heiman is repped by CESD Talent Agency, DDO Artists Agency and D.R. Entertainment.

Ward is repped by Clear Talent Group and Bohemia Group. His other credits include Salem’s Lot, Skeleton Crew, SpongeBob SquarePants, Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Escape the Night and more.