After 47 Years, Cult Classic Saga Gets 5th Film with Action Star Cast!

The “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” series is reborn with its fifth film, “Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence”, directed by David Ferino. As reported by Deadline, the new movie is described as “a battle between the everlasting power of nature and the brightest minds in AI”.

The original film debuted in 1978. Created on a shoestring budget of $100,000, it was produced by J. Stephen Peace and John De Bello. De Bello directed the movie based on an original idea by Costa Dillon. The film tells the tale of mutant killer tomatoes that terrorize humanity while a team of scientists tries to fend them off. Dillon and Peace are back as the screenwriters and producers for this new installment.

“Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence” will feature a range of actors, including David Koechner (known from the “Anchorman” series) as the U.S. President’s press secretary, and John Astin (Gomez from “The Addams Family”) reprising his role as Professor Nicholas Mortimer Gangreen from earlier films in the series and the Fox animated series. The cast also includes Dan Bakkedahl (Veep) as the indispensable Wilbur Finletter, Daniel Roebuck (The Fugitive, Lost, Final Destination) as an admiral burdened with 50 years of hiding the truth, Catherine Corcoran (Terrifier) as the first casualty of the carnage, Paul Bates (Coming to America) as a quirky “master of disguise”, and Vernee Watson (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) as a down-to-earth technology expert at the heart of the “Tomato Guardians” team.

Oscar nominee Eric Roberts, for his role in Runaway Train, will also appear alongside Myrna Velasco (Star Wars Resistance) and Noor Razooky (The Old Man). Zachary Roozen (Romeo and Juliette Killers) will take on the role of Chad, originally played by Anthony Starke, who starred alongside George Clooney in “Return of the Killer Tomatoes” (1988). Many other actors have been announced as part of the project.

David Ferino (Wardcliffe) has been selected to direct the film by executive producers and screenwriters Dillon and Peace.

“This time, they’re not just coming back. They possess organic intelligence,” Dillon stated.

“We’ll keep trying until we get it right,” Peace added.

“It’s crazy,” joked Ferino. “I have to work with them.”

“We’re proud to reboot a franchise with such cultural DNA,” said Thomas Zambeck, CEO of Anchor Bay. “Organic Intelligence is an original, funny, bizarre, and self-aware project – exactly the type of beautifully chaotic project that fits our mission. Killer Tomatoes is ripe for a reinvention.”

The “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” franchise has spawned three sequels (“Return of the Killer Tomatoes”, “Killer Tomatoes Strike Back!”, and “Killer Tomatoes Eat France”), as well as the animated series “Killer Tomatoes” broadcast on Fox in the early 1990s.

“Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence” is expected to release in limited theaters around Halloween.