Hollywood Theater To Host "Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies" World Premier Wednesday

There’s a new twist to the Zombie movie genre, most notably Kurt Angle’s application of an ankle lock. The Mt. Lebanon native’s signature move is on display as just part of the part fun/part gore/all fun “Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies,” which makes its debut at the Hollywood Theater this Wednesday, March 26.

Angle is joined by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, and Matt Hardy in the film. Beaver County native “The Franchise” Shane Douglas is also a pivotal part of the film. Douglas and director Cody Knotts, as well as other cast members—like local wrestler Ashton Amherst—are scheduled to be attendance for the 9:00 p.m. viewing at 1449 Potomac Avenue

Douglas recently promoted the film at Horror Realm, Pittsburgh’s premier convention boasting big-budget, small-budget, and no-budget movies with related projects.

“Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies” has been in the works since 2011.

 “[The movie’s] a throwback in time,” said Douglas in between autograph signing and picture-taking with fans a few Horror Realm tables away from B-movie staple Michael Berryman. “Roddy, Hacksaw and I are the antagonists. We are playing ourselves. And we fight zombies.”

The budget for “Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies” has been reported by Knotts to be in the $4 million range. Primary photography took place in Parkersburg, West Virginia, at the former Wood County Jail in and around January, 2013. “Every night people showed up in droves in 15-degree weather and 40-mph winds to stand around for hours with their shirts off,” said Douglas. “They were incredible.”

Douglas added that follow-up shooting took place in Monongahela and Beaver County. He noted that the movie is innovative with “time jumping” aspects to the script, “side threads” to the story and “hijinks.”

An entertaining, albeit slightly blood-squirting trailer was released for the film on April 2, 2013. In the 2:01 taste, mayhem ensues between an army of zombies and the wrestlers, who use an arsenal of unique fighting skills and offensive weapons—including Dugan’s omnipresent 2x4—to dispatch of the blood-soaked baddies.

Piper’s cinematic career began in 1978 in a supporting role for the Henry Winkler wrestling vehicle “The One and Only,” but it was 1988’s “They Live” that cemented his Hollywood reputation as someone other than a grappler. The John Carpenter flick about alien invasion remains a cult classic. Away from the squared circle, Piper enjoys a second career with “scary” movies. He has six films currently in some degree of production.

Angle has been featured in a variety of local and international films in recent years. The Pittsburgh-produced “Death From Above” stars Tom Savini, fellow wrestler “Psycho” Sid Eudy, and Pittsburgh theatrical legend Bingo O’Malley. His turn as a Russian cage fighter in the successful, Pittsburgh-filmed “Warrior” has been Angle’s most popular role yet. According to imdb, Angle will play a New York Fire Chief in the next “Sharknado” movie and he’s currently working as a police sergeant in a television pilot called “Emergency: LA.”

Douglas, who also serves as a producer and fight choreographer in “Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies” first acted in the 1990 Canadian movie “Divided Loyalties” about that country’s battle for independence. It’s quite possible that Douglas’ is the most recognizable name in the cast.

Monongahela’s Camera Chatham Bartolotta plays “Amber” in the “Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies.” The Western Pennsylvania native, once featured in a 1986 episode of “Hunter,” is currently a Republican candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate, facing incumbent Democrat Tim Solobay of Washington County. Director Knotts has also run for public office in the past. Scream queen Shannon M. Hart and Hardy’s wife, Reby Sky, also have roles in the film.

Douglas explained that the movie will be rolling out in late March and into early April. That will coincide with a DVD rollout strengthened by Lloyd Kaufman’s “Troma” distribution. In addition to the Dormont premier, the movie debuts every few days in Raleigh, North Carolina, Parkersburg, Cleveland, Ohio, Chalmette, Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, Atlanta, Georgia and Royal Oak, Michigan. The New Orleans stop is just three days before Wrestlemania XXX, so assuredly Douglas is hoping for mainstream wrestling fan support in The Big Easy.

Tickets for “Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies” can be purchased at the Hollywood Theater before the Wednesday showing or at the door. Call 412-563-0368 for prices and more information.