Guillermo del Toro Project #862: 'Day of the Dead'

As far as I know, the Grateful Dead have nothing to do with the film

Yeah, Guillermo del Toro's got another project to add to the list.  This time, though, he's only acting as producer, so we can cut him some slack.  That, and it isn't a remake of the 1985 George Romero classic, which is what everyone probably thought upon reading the headline.  No, del Toro is going to act as the producer for an animated film that centers around the real life Dia De Los Muertos, the mexican festival Day of the Dead.  The film will instead be directed by emmy award winning animator Jorge R. Gutierrez.

According to the statement released by Real FX, the film's animation studio, the film is a "Romeo and Juliet" style romance set with the festival as a backdrop.

Brad Booker, the film's development executive, said “We’re thrilled to have Guillermo on board for DAY OF THE DEAD.  As individuals, Guillermo and Jorge share a cultural background and love for Mexican folklore, which brings a palpable authenticity to our project; however, as artists, each brings to the picture a vastly different aesthetic sensibility. Working together for the first time, we feel that they bring a truly unique balance to the style and story of the film.”

Commenting on the collaboration, del Toro said, "I have admired Jorge's work for a long time. He has a unique aesthetic and sense of humor. DAY OF THE DEAD offers a perfect opportunity for his sensibilities to shine. This is a colorful, vibrant, vital fable that utilizes the animation medium in an incredible way. The object of the tale is not only to talk about life but to dazzle us - jolt us- into living to the fullest. To join Reel FX, Cary Granat and Jorge in this adventure is a privilege and a joy."

I hope that the time del Toro spends towards this won't distract too much from the other projects he's working on (WHERE IS HELLBOY 3?!?), but it sounds like a great collaboration nonetheless.  The cultural/fairy tale authenticity was one of the things that made Pan's Labyrinth so special, so this project that del Toro should really take to.