Romero emphasized that “the zombie apocalypse is a rich sandbox for social commentary. As my dad’s daughter, I feel compelled to use zombies to convey a message.” She stated, “I wanted this film to be an homage to the world and monster he created, while also introducing my own unique voice. It’s not a film he would make, but it uses his vocabulary and plays by his rules.” Regarding the queer element, Romero noted, “I believe it’s time for a big gay zombie movie. The queer community deserves representation in the zombie genre.”

Romero emphasized that she “didn’t want to tackle the genre unless it felt authentic” to her. Queens of the Dead takes place in the queer party scene, where a warehouse drag show is disrupted by the zombie apocalypse. The idea was inspired by a heated conflict on social media among party promoters during her time as a DJ. Romero recalled, “The original promoter posted a manifesto asking when the queer community would stop devouring its own, and it struck me like lightning. I thought, ‘This is how I want to explore the zombie genre in the context of queer nightlife.'” Katy O’Brien, known for her role in The Mandalorian, plays the fictionalized promoter in the film.

Romero expressed her hope that the film will highlight the demand for more genre films that showcase the intersection of gay scream queens with the horror and dark comedy elements characteristic of her father’s work. Although the legendary filmmaker did not get to see the completed script, he mentored his daughter during the development process and encouraged her to pursue the project.

Romero shared, “He said, ‘I love it! Run with it. Go for it.’ Unfortunately, he didn’t get to read the completed script, as it took me about seven years to develop… but I had his blessing.”

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