Almost every zombie movie has the “professional” character who discerns knowledge to our main leads. For 50/50 director Jonathan Levine‘s Warm Bodies, the man for the job is John Malkovich. As evidence in the latest 60-second trailer, following up the theatrical version, there’s much more of the actor, who seems to be leading the defense. We’ve enjoyed Levine’s ability to balance a strong story in any genre, whether it be horror or heavy drama, and here’s hoping he can do it in the zombie genre. Check out the new trailer and poster below for the film also starring Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry, Analeigh Tipton, Dave Franco and Cory Hardrict.

Synopsis:

WARM BODIES is an upcoming 2013 romantic zombie film based on Isaac Marion’s popular novel of the same name. Directed by Jonathan Levine (50/50), the film stars Nicholas Hoult (Hank McCoy/Beast in the 2011 film X-Men: First Class) and Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four). The film focuses on the development of the relationship between Julie (a teenage girl) and R (a zombie), their romance sets in motion a sequence of events that might transform the entire lifeless world.

R (Hoult) is a zombie. After a zombie apocalypse, he shambles across an America filled with collapsed buildings, rusted cars, shattered windows, and abandoned high-rises. He can only grunt or moan and craves human brains to get high on their memories. After eating the brains of a suicidal teen, R is overcome with love for the teen’s companion, Julie Grigio (Palmer). R rescues Julie from his zombie pack and takes her back to his lair. She eventually leaves, and R follows her back to Citi Stadium, the largest remaining human refuge.

Warm Bodies opens on February 1st.