The script is out to Marilyn [Manson] for the role of Jesus Christ. Any comments?

Movie City News hipped me to an elaborate site dedicated to sharing what looks like an unprecedented amount of information about the pre-production process for George A. Romero's new film, Diamond Dead. We're talking complete screenplay drafts, copies of notes from producer to the writer, "limited-edition" pre-production wallpapers that will be taken offline once shooting starts, etc.

Two things are remarkable about this. First, the crew behind this film has obviously made the decision to market the film in an unusual way, trying to get horror fans to take a rooting interest in it before shooting even begins. What's cool is that it flies in the face of current corporate ideas about the currency of intellectual property — I can't think of another case in which filmmakers effectively short-circuited the bootleggers by deliberately promoting and distributing copies of a work-in-progress screenplay.

Second, the filmmakers deliberately tapping the collective consciousness that is fandom, polling readers for possible casting ideas. (Marilyn Manson as Jesus? Bring 'er on.) Whether or not this is a good idea, well, only time will tell. (I haven't actually read the screenplay yet, nor am I sure it would even indicate how worthwhile the project might or might not end up being.) Maybe the fans really can help prevent some egregious bit of miscasting on the part of the not-quite-a-hipster Romero (somewhere on the site, I saw him fretting about whether he was spelling Pink's name correctly). Or maybe they'll end up having zilch impact on the final decisions — at least it's a goodwill gesture to solicit input in the first place.

The only thing that's missing is a way for fans to use PayPal to pony up a little cash toward the film's actual financing. I'd follow the CLICK HERE link to put some money in a bank account for Romero's final ... of the Dead picture.

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