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"Star Wars" Art Director To Shoot Zombie Film In Malaysia

"Star Wars" art director Roger Christian has his eye on Malaysia as his next location to film and produce upcoming zombie film "Temple of the Undead." The film will be visual effect-driven much like "Sin City" and "300." Read on for 5 answered questions about the film and Roger Christian's thoughts on Malaysian movie standards!

By Melody Oei — 01 Apr 2013, 03:37 PM — Updated over 10 years ago

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What is it about Malaysia that makes it a great location for a zombie film?

Roger Christian, "I did a zombie flick in Canada once and I had this idea of making an ethnic zombie movie. It will be much more tribal with battles in the jungle with head hunters."

"I want my zombies to be different. So here (Malaysia) is perfect! We will be using Malaysian actors, locations and special effects."

"Malaysia has lots of great places so the shooting will be done in different places, also a little bit of jungle."

How Roger Christian is putting his zombie film "Temple Of The Undead" together

Christian, "We just got the ideas and the film is now in the process of writing and constructing, not yet at the shooting stage and I guess it will take a year to make the film."

Roger Christian is currently in Malaysia for a corporate film project with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to attract investors to Malaysia.

What about the new franchise reboot of "Star Wars"? Is Roger Christian involved?

"George (Lucas) & I became great friends & struggled to make the 1st "Star Wars," but it's gone into a different world," He didn't elaborate on the new franchises' direction.

Roger Christian has no plans and will not be returning to the new franchise reboot of "Star Wars" - "The franchise is in a whole new world now, it's Disney's now."

What does Roger Christian have to say about Malaysian movie standards?

Roger Christian said that filmmakers need to maintain and keep national identity in their film product in an effort to spread the culture, tradition and language globally.

"You have to find the passion and don't think about getting paid, fame and success, just go and make better movies...not Hollywood movies but Malaysian, but with Hollywood standard."

Who is Roger Christian?

Roger Christian was responsible for the Jedi lightsabers & R2D2 prototype.

Image via imgur.com

Roger Christian was born in 1944 in London, England. He began his career as an assistant art director on several UK productions including the Hammer Studios film "And Soon the Darkness."

It was his work on the first "Star Wars" and "Alien" films that initially got Christian interested in a career as a filmmaker.

Roger Christian is Oscar winning set decorator.

Image via offpluscamera.com

He was Oscar winner for Best Art Direction - Set Decoration for George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" (1977) where he was responsible for the Jedi lightsabers & R2D2 prototype.

Following his Oscar win, Roger Christian was hand-picked by Lucas to direct the second unit on "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace."