Iron Maiden are no strangers to flaunting horror-ific imagery with their artwork over the years, so it should come as no surprise that frontman Bruce Dickinson is entering the world of horror flicks.
Dickinson has signed on for a role in Bjorn of the Dead, a new film slated for 2024 from director Elza Kephart (Slaxx) and screenwriter Austin Dickinson, who just so happens to be the son of Bruce.
According to a press release, Bjorn of the Dead "centres around an ABBA tribute band who find themselves, along with various other tribute acts, trapped in a nightclub at the start of the apocalypse. Bjorn and his band must work together to save themselves, humanity, and the future of music."
Deadline reports that Bruce Dickinson won't be the only heavy metal icon featured in the film. More cameos from the world of rock and heavy metal are promised.
In a statement, co-writer/producer Andrew Prendergast said, “We are thrilled to be making this blood-drenched gore fest from Austin’s super funny, terrifying, cautionary tale about the inner workings of the music industry.”
Here is the official synopsis:
Bjorn, lead singer in Abbatoir, and his band mates Benny, Anni-Frid, and Agnetha spend their weekends covering ABBA classics at a variety of increasingly depressing venues, from old folks’ homes to empty pub back rooms. It’s a grind and the band is ready to call it a day when Benny, the band’s oldest and most needy member, hears of a Battle Of The Bands competition for tribute bands at The Niney Dimey.
As the band arrives to load in their gear, things begin to go awry rather quickly. A disturbance in the main room of the venue rapidly gets out of control forcing Bjorn and his band to take cover backstage. Some of the other bands are injured from the fracas outside, injuries which soon present a problem when the wounded begin to metamorphose into bloodthirsty undead.