Not only does Netflix’sArmy of the Deadhave a zombie tiger, but the creature was modeled after a real animal with a connection to another Netflix property:Tiger King. Turns out thatCarole Baskin’s own tiger served as a visual reference for its zombie counterpart. ProducerDeborah Snyderrevealed the origin of Valentine, the scene-stealing zombie tiger, on a virtual panel forJustice Conwhile describing the process of including it in the movie.
According to Snyder, the visual effects team called different animal sanctuaries in order to get a real-life reference for modeling and animating Valentine. The chosen candidate ended up being a tiger owned by Baskin, now internationally famous after the world got briefly distracted from the pandemic by following Baskin’s long-time feud withJoe ExoticonTiger King.
Snyder says this choice was made beforeTiger Kingwas released, and the team spent a week on Baskin’s sanctuary before the series revealed the threats and harassment campaigns between the rival exotic animal owners. As Snyder jokingly says, “at least they got out of there alive."
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Valentine, the zombie tiger, stole our collective hearts right after being revealed intheArmy of the Deadtrailer, but it wasn’t the only good surprise. The upcoming movie byZack Snyderwill also feature faster, stronger and smarter zombies, capable of organizing themselves to fight as a community. This fresh approach to the zombie apocalypse theme is also put in the middle of a heist movie, in Las Vegas, starringDave Bautista.
Army of the Dead’s cast also includesMatthias Schweighöfer,Ella Purnell,Omari Hardwick,Ana De La Reguera,Theo Rossi,Tig Notaro,Nora Arnezeder,Hiroyuki SanadaandGarret Dillahunt, as well asRaúl Castillo,Huma Quereshi,Samantha Win,Richard CetroneandMichael Cassidy.
Army of the Deadwill premiere May 21 on Netflix and select theaters. you’re able to check out the full panel from Justice Con below, featuring producers Snyder andWesley Coller:
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