Living dead go the extra mile for part in Brad Pitt movie

Jul 14 2011 By Ben Spencer

WANNABE zombies descended on Glasgow in their thousands in a bid to star with Brad Pitt in his new movie.

Casting agents behind World War Z, which will be filmed in the city next month, held auditions at Caledonian University throughout Saturday.

And by 9am, the streets were heaving with people hoping to grab one of the 1000 extra parts.

In particular, bosses were looking for men, women and children from Irish, Italian, African and East Asian backgrounds.

A steward said: "We've had about 4000 people coming through the doors. The queue was down the street."

One hopeful, Nicholas Nicolson, 34, of Govan, said: "I think my general brainless nature would make me a great zombie."

Another local who turned up for a chance to line-up alongside Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt was Glaswegian reporter Joseph McGuire.

He said: "There were about 100 people outside when I arrived at lunchtime but the queue was moving smoothly. I got an application form from one of the stewards. After you filled out the form you then went to get measured and then got your photo taken while holding up your application number.

"I went along prepared to stagger about doing my best zombie impression but it was really just for extras so you didn't have to do anything.

"Itwasannoyingas I had spent all morning working on my Thriller dance!" Star Pitt, who is also the producer, is shooting scenes in Malta.

He will start work in Glasgow next month when parts of the city centre will be transformed into downtown Philadelphia.

Glaswegians have long had a soft spot for zombies.

In November last year more than 1500 people staggered through KelvingroveParkattheGlasgow Zombie Walk event.

No expense was spared in terms of costume design at the event which saw numbers rocket from the 400 scary creatures who took part in 2009.