Uwe Boll Returns to Zombie Horror with '23 Years Later — The Castle of the Dead', Filming in Germany in 2026

Uwe Boll is back. The German director whose name became synonymous with video game adaptations in the mid-2000s is mounting a return to the zombie horror territory that launched his international filmmaking profile, and he is doing it on his own terms. Titled '23 Years Later — The Castle of the Dead', the project is an independent, unofficial sequel to Boll's 2003 feature 'House of the Dead', with principal photography scheduled to begin September 5, 2026 in Germany. For crew based in Germany or willing to travel there, this is an early heads-up worth putting on the radar now.

Boll is directing from a script he co-wrote with Lutz Geiger, a longtime collaborator within Boll's creative circle. The film reunites original 'House of the Dead' stars Jonathan Cherry and Ona Grauer, who are returning to the franchise more than two decades after the first film. Cherry and Grauer were central figures in the 2003 feature, which despite its critical reception became a cult touchstone in the video game horror adaptation genre. Their return signals that Boll is making a genuine genre sequel rather than a reboot, leaning into the nostalgic appeal of legacy casting that has driven so many horror follow-ups in recent years. No additional cast has been confirmed at this stage, suggesting casting is either ongoing or yet to begin in earnest.

On the producing side, Michael Roesch is aboard as producer, a role that reflects his deep history with Boll's projects. Roesch has worked closely with Boll across numerous productions over the years and understands the efficient, lean production model that characterizes Boll's independent filmmaking approach. Boris Wolffgardt joins as co-producer. This is a tight, experienced producing team that knows how to move quickly, which is relevant for crew assessing what kind of set to expect. Boll has never been known for bloated schedules or excessive overhead, and this production will almost certainly reflect that sensibility.

Worth noting for anyone approaching this listing: the film has no official connection to Sega's 'House of the Dead' video game franchise. Rights issues prevent a formal tie to the game IP, so this project is being produced as a standalone continuation rather than a licensed adaptation. That distinction matters logistically, as it keeps the production fully independent and free of studio or rights-holder oversight. What that means practically is a more streamlined creative and production process, but also a fully self-financed or independently financed budget structure with no major studio infrastructure behind it.

Filming is set for Germany, which makes geographic and financial sense given Boll's longstanding base of operations there. Boll built much of his 2000s output through European co-production financing structures, and Germany's domestic film funding landscape, including support from institutions like the Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) and various regional funding bodies, has historically made it possible for mid-to-low budget genre films to get made with professional resources. Germany has a solid crew infrastructure, particularly in Berlin, Munich, and the broader Cologne-Düsseldorf corridor, though the castle setting described in the logline suggests the production may look toward locations in Bavaria, Saxony, or the Rhine Valley, all of which have castle stock that productions have used before. Specific city and facility details have not been announced yet, so crew should monitor the full listing for updates as pre-production advances.

In terms of production scale, this is an independent horror film without a named streamer or distributor attached at this stage, which typically places it in the mid-to-lower budget tier for genre features. That said, the castle setting will require meaningful production design work, including period-appropriate dressing, practical set builds or location modifications, and almost certainly practical effects to support the zombie horror genre conventions. A strong practical effects team and an art department comfortable working in castle environments or adapting real locations will be central to delivering this film's visual identity. The zombie genre also implies makeup and prosthetics work at a volume that goes well beyond a standard drama or thriller, so department heads in those disciplines should take note. Given the genre and the likely lean budget, this production will benefit from crew who are both skilled and efficient.

With a September 2026 production start, the hiring timeline is not yet urgent, but pre-production on an independent feature of this scope typically begins ramping up department heads six to nine months before cameras roll, which puts serious conversations starting around late 2025 or early 2026. Now is the right time to get your name in front of the producers, particularly for key positions in production design, makeup and prosthetics, practical effects, and locations. The full production listing on ProductionList.com carries the most current contact information, office details, and crew list as they are updated. If you are a German-based crew member in any of those departments, or a genre specialist willing to work in Germany, bookmark this one and check back regularly as the project moves through pre-production.

Click here for production info or to contact producers