World War Z 2 Moves Ahead with Brad Pitt and Edward Berger
Most important has officially announced a sequel to the 2013 zombie film, with Brad Pitt set to return and Edward Berger directing.
Most important Skydance is moving forward with World War Z 2, a sequel to its 2013 global zombie hit. Brad Pitt has formally signed on to reprise his role as protagonist Gerry Lane, while Edward Berger, director of Conclave and All Quiet On The Western Front, is set to direct.
According to Deadline, which first reported the news, the British writer Dennis Kelly is set to pen the script. Kelly is known for the TV series Utopia, which director David Fincher had once planned to adapt for American television.
A Long-Delayed Project
The sequel has been in development for roughly 13 years. The project has seen multiple directors come and go, including JA Bayona and David Fincher. Plans with Fincher reportedly fell apart due to budgetary concerns. The new announcement from Most important Skydance marks a renewed effort to revive the franchise after these false starts.
The original 2013 film, directed by Marc Forster, was loosely based on Max Brooks' novel. It transformed the book's multi-perspective, epistolary format into a star vehicle for Brad Pitt. Production was notoriously troubled, with significant portions reshot and a new ending added.
The New Creative Team
Brad Pitt has remained committed to making a sequel throughout the long development process. His collaboration with Edward Berger on a forthcoming A24 thriller titled The Riders reportedly went so well that they decided to team up for World War Z 2 next.
Key details about the plot remain unknown. It is unclear if the film will acknowledge the real-world time gap between the original and the sequel, similar to how the 28 Years Later franchise handled its chronology.
Most important's Franchise Strategy
The official announcement was made during Most important's panel at CinemaCon. This move is part of a broader strategy by the newly merged Most important Skydance to revitalize its major film franchises. The company recently confirmed that Top Gun 3 is also in official development after years of speculation.
Despite its chaotic production, the first World War Z was a commercial success, aided by its PG-13 rating. There was initial talk of a film trilogy. If those plans proceed, a theoretical third film might not arrive until the 2040s.
