Interviewed By: Charron Monaye, Hype Hair Contributor
Horror just got a heart and a whole lot of soul. Urban Flesh Eaters, co-written and executive produced by Lynette J. Blackwell and executive produced by hip-hop icon Rob Base, isn’t your typical zombie flick. The film plunges viewers into a world where survival isn’t just about escaping the undead, it’s about protecting family, confronting grief, and holding onto hope when everything familiar has been torn apart. With a cast of dynamic, multi-talented actors, sharp storytelling, and a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and emotional depth, the movie redefines what a modern horror thriller can be. By combining cultural authenticity with high-stakes entertainment, Blackwell and Base prove that horror can move audiences as deeply as it terrifies them, leaving an impact long after the credits roll.
HH: You’ve built your career in many lanes, writer, producer, casting director, development assistant. How did those experiences shape the way you approached Urban Flesh Eaters as both a writer and executive producer?
Blackwell: Each lane I’ve worked in gave me a different lens to view storytelling. As a writer and development assistant, I love to focus deeply on my character’s emotional truth. What are their wants and what’s missing in their lives. Additionally, I define who’s my audience and how do I make this story stand out in a competitive market. As a producer and casting director, I understand the logistics. What it takes to bring the story to life on screen, from assembling the right team to working within real budgets and schedules.
On Urban Flesh Eaters, those experiences merged. I wasn’t just writing a script; I was building a world. Every choice from casting to location to post-production strategy was filtered through both the creative and business lens.
– ADVERTISEMENT –
HH: What inspired you and Dana Jay to tell a zombie story through such an intimate and emotional lens of grief, motherhood, and survival?
Blackwell: Well, the idea to write a zombie movie came from Rob Base. He considers himself a zombie connoisseur… Lol. Dana and I were inspired by the idea that horror can be more than jump scares, it can hold a mirror up to real human experiences. At its core, Urban Flesh Eaters is about a mother fighting to protect her family in an unrecognizable world. We wanted to center the emotional journey, grief, resilience, and the bonds that hold us together even when everything falls apart.
HH: What creative and strategic choices did you make to set this film apart from traditional zombie stories, and how do you see it influencing the genre moving forward?
Blackwell: We wanted to create a story with cultural authenticity and emotional depth. Creatively, we leaned into real world experiences and telling the story from a Black family’s perspective, which is something not often centered in zombie narratives. We emphasized character stakes, family dynamics, and tension you could feel in your gut. It’s a multi genre layered as a thriller, horror and comedy.
HH: Urban Flesh Eaters features a standout ensemble from Chantal Maurice, Maurice P. Kerry and Ashley Forrestier to Jason Louder, DeMorris Stroud, and great talents like Akira Jackson and Josiah Ekari. In a competitive streaming environment where star power drives audience engagement, how intentional were you in assembling such a diverse, multi-talented cast, to guarantee viewership and award-winning success.
Blackwell: Extremely intentional. Casting is storytelling. And I want to thank Costar Coaching for being at the forefront of the casting process. Overall, our cast reflects the world we live in, diverse, dynamic, and layered. We wanted actors who could bring authenticity, emotional range, and star presence, not just names, but talent that commands the screen. Our cast reflects the world we live in, diverse, dynamic, and layered.
Each actor brought something unique… We wrote the role of CYN with Chantal Maurice in mind. Quick story, back in 2020, I met Chantal and told her I was going to write a movie for her to star in and here we are. She anchors the film and her being able to provide the emotional layers for the role was key. Once we completed the script Maurice P. Kerry immediately came to my mind. He easily brought the strength and vulnerability in the role of Blaze, our hero. Ashley Forrestier, who plays Chantal’s ride or die BFF, Jason Louder and DeMorris Stroud bring the hilarious moments and keeps the audience in stitches. Akira Jackson and Josiah Ekari, as younger talents, gave us raw, relatable performances that audiences connect to. I would also like to mention Chris Rumble who has become a fan favorite. He plays Mr. Elmo, the building’s superintendent.
– ADVERTISEMENT –
HH: Urban Flesh Eaters brings together a powerhouse producing team with Hip-Hop Rapper Rob Base, yourself, Patt Stevens, Chantal Maurice and Maurice P. Kerry. all playing key roles as executive or associate producers. How did you all manage creative and business decisions across the team, and what leadership lessons can you offer other producers?
Blackwell: Collaboration was key. We had clear roles and mutual respect for each other’s strengths. Rob was our financier. Patt Stevens and I met in Tressa Azarel Smallwood ‘s mentorship and have worked together on multiple films over the last five years. She and I also worked as on the ground producers, and she also was our line producer. Chantal and Maurice were generous with their resources, and both brought behind-the-scenes leadership. I also would like to shoutout our amazing director and editor E.A Dodson and his company Blueprint Stories. They were the production company we partnered with.
My biggest leadership lesson: build a team you trust, and lead with both clarity and flexibility. When everyone understands the shared vision, it’s easier to navigate differences and keep the project moving forward.
HH: With ongoing industry layoffs, network consolidations, and the uncertainty around traditional models, many emerging artists feel discouraged about breaking in. From your perspective as a writer and executive producer, what practical advice would you give to creatives who are struggling but still determined to tell their stories?
Blackwell: I’d say, own your voice and build your lane. There isn’t just one traditional path anymore. Independent filmmaking, streaming platforms, and social media give creators direct access to audiences. Be strategic, learn the business, protect your IP, and surround yourself with collaborators who share your vision. But also, don’t wait for permission. Start with what you have, tell the best story you can, and build momentum. Also, get yourself a mentor. That’s what helped in my success. God, the gift that He gave me and the mentor he gave me in Tressa Azarel Smallwood.
HH: What do you hope Urban Flesh Eaters accomplishes, for audiences and for your career moving forward?
Blackwell: To see themselves reflected in a genre that hasn’t always made space for diverse stories, and for them to be both entertained and moved. For my career, I see this as a launchpad. Urban Flesh Eaters is proof that we can create high-impact, culturally resonant genre films independently. I want to keep telling stories that merge commercial appeal with authentic perspectives and build a slate that opens doors for other storytellers as well.
– ADVERTISEMENT –
Urban Flesh Eaters is streaming now on Tubi and Apple TV.