Four years after Army of the Dead sparked an unexpected online phenomenon, Zack Snyder is reuniting with comedian and actress Tig Notaro for an ambitious new project. The filmmaker and the Star Trek: Discovery star are developing Deviants, a period action film that emerged from one of the most unusual sources of inspiration in recent cinema history: viral thirst tweets.
From viral moment to feature film
The genesis of Deviants traces back to the overwhelming online reaction to Notaro’s helicopter pilot character, Marianne Peters, in Snyder’s 2021 Netflix zombie heist film. The response caught the actress completely off guard. Speaking on the “On With Kara Swisher” podcast, Notaro recalled the moment her phone exploded with attention from audiences across the spectrum, straight men, gay men, gay women, and straight women, all expressing attraction to her character.
What started as confusion turned into creative opportunity. Notaro reached out to Snyder with a pitch: “What if we just went for it and everyone’s a hot lesbian?” The director’s response was immediate and enthusiastic, leading to their current collaboration on what Notaro describes as a “hot lesbian action” film set in historical times, centered around closeted characters navigating a less accepting era.
A project born from authenticity
The collaboration represents more than just capitalizing on a viral moment. For Notaro, an openly queer performer, the project offers a chance to explore action cinema through a lens rarely seen in mainstream Hollywood. The film’s premise, focusing on “closeted deviants” in a period setting, suggests a blend of historical drama with the high-octane action sequences Snyder has become known for throughout his career.
Currently in the scripting phase, Deviants remains a work in progress with no confirmed release timeline. Notaro acknowledges the unpredictable nature of Hollywood development, noting the project’s uncertain path to the screen. Still, the partnership between the two creators appears strong, built on the foundation of trust established during their previous collaboration.
A creative partnership built on connection
The rapport between Snyder and Notaro dates back to the unique circumstances of Army of the Dead’s production. Notaro was brought in to replace another actor’s scenes during the COVID-19 pandemic, filming her parts separately from the main cast. In interviews following the film’s release, she praised Snyder for creating an environment where she felt connected to the production despite the isolation, emphasizing how the director understood her need for creative collaboration and moments of shared understanding on set.
That working relationship now extends into this new venture, where both filmmaker and star seem equally invested in bringing an unconventional action story to life. Whether Deviants ultimately makes it to theaters or streaming platforms remains to be seen, but the project represents an intriguing direction for both Snyder’s post-DC filmography and for representation in the action genre.
Stay tuned to Geek Realm Hub for more updates on this project and all the latest news from the world of genre filmmaking.