20 Years Ago, Lord of the Rings Paved the Way for New Zealand's Weirdest Zombie Movie

Two decades ago, director Jonathan King introduced the peculiar concept of a zombie-sheep outbreak in the film Black Sheep. The 2006 horror-comedy, set in New Zealand, followed Henry, who returns to his family farm after a decade to sell his share to his brother Angus. Upon his return, Henry discovers that Angus has been conducting genetically modified experiments on the sheep, resulting in creatures that not only bite humans but transform them into half-human/half-sheep monsters as well.

While the film's absurd premise may initially suggest it would be a mere exploitation of cheap thrills and comedy, it offers a surprisingly poignant commentary on corporate greed and animal cruelty. Director King and creative studio Wētā Workshop, renowned for their work in animatronics, prosthetics, makeup, and creature effects, treated the killer sheep concept with the gravity it deserved.

Most of the film's gruesome elements were realized through meticulous work with animatronic puppets and creature suits worn by the actors, sparing the use of extensive visual effects. A standout creation was the bloodthirsty sheep baby, crafted with foam latex, dual-gimbal cable controls, rod puppetry, and a servo pack. Wētā Workshop had previously showcased its prowess with prosthetics for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but Black Sheep pushed the studio to even greater lengths.

Kevin McTurk, the performer who brought the were-sheep to life, underwent an eight-foot-tall suit built around his frame, complete with an animatronic head. Although the concept of killer sheep might seem far-fetched, the film's realistic portrayal of the creatures, achieved through practical effects, left a lasting impression, proving that CGI wouldn't have equaled the impact of the practical puppetry and animatronics.

A sequel, Black Sheeps, is reportedly in the works, set for release on November 12 this year, with both King and Wētā Workshop returning for another round with their unique take on the bizarre and horrifying.