Early Poster Artwork: John Landis' Burke & Hare

While at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, I ran across this early poster art for the John Landis horror comedy Burke & Hare.

As you know, the film is based on the real-life exploits of Irish murderers William Burke and William Hare, who killed at least 17 people in Edinburgh in 1827-8, the film may not hew too closely to the tone and severity of actual events. The movie stars Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis, and co-stars Tim Curry, Isla Fisher, Jessica Hynes, Tom Wilkinson, Ronnie Corbett and Bill Bailey. Landis, whose filmography includes An American Werewolf in London, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, Spies Like Us, ¡Three Amigos!, Coming To America, and Michael Jackson's Thriller, hasn't directed a feature film in over a decade.

Check out the full poster artwork after the jump.

Here's a slightly abridge synopsis:

WILLIAM BURKE and WILLIAM HARE are scratching out a living in 1830s Edinburgh.  After yet another failed business venture, they return to Hare's lodging house to find that their tenant has suddenly died on rent day.  As the boys decide how to dispose of the body over a drink, they discover that a corpse can fetch a hefty price.  Edinburgh is the centre of the medical universe and the city's doctors are crying out for more cadavers for their educational lectures.  First they try the infamous DR. MONRO, but he's not interested, so they sell the corpse to DR. KNOX, his vain and ambitious rival who urges them to bring any more 'unfortunates' they may stumble upon. Entrepreneurial Hare is quick to realize they've hit on a great money making venture and despite the more sensitive Burke's misgivings, they embark on a series of plans to secure more bodies.  They arrange a series of deadly 'accidents' for the local unfortunates and to celebrate their success, they go out on the town to celebrate.  There, Burke meets GINNY, a beautiful and spirited aspiring actress. In a series of hilarious comic misadventures Burke and Hare begin to secure a steady stream of bodies and the cash starts rolling in.

Here is the full poster artwork.