Exclusive: World War Z Series In Development, Brad Pitt Producing
The Walking Dead may be over, but there are other zombie franchises out there. According to our trusted and proven sources, the 2013 action horror blockbuster World War Z is getting its own series, with Brad Pitt acting as producer. The zombie show has been green lit by Apple.
We’ve exclusively learned a World War Z series is on its way to Apple TV+, with Brad Pitt on board as producer.
A lot of unknowns remain regarding the World War Z series, including whether or not Pitt will reprise his role as former UN investigator Gerry Lane from the 2013 film. Nor do we know if the Apple series will act as a reboot or a continuation of the story presented in the movie. Considering Brad Pitt’s involvement and where the movie left fans, either possibility seems equally likely.
Based on the 2006 Max Brooks novel, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, the 2013 film ends with humanity securing some hope for the future. A vaccine is developed that renders uninfected humans invisible to the zombie hordes, but those hordes are still out there. While the vaccine makes it easier for the military to fight the infected, the movie ends with an uphill battle waiting for them.
World War Z not only narratively left room for a sequel, but the film’s box office returns of $540 million seemed to guarantee it. Brad Pitt’s collaborator on both Se7en and Fight Club, David Fincher, at one point was signed on to direct a sequel, but Paramount canceled the follow-up.
Based on the 2006 Max Brooks novel, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, 2013’s World War Z ends with humanity securing some hope for the future.
It was never confirmed, but in 2019 The Hollywood Reporter cited “a knowledgable source” saying that China’s ban on zombie movies is the chief reason Paramount canceled a film sequel. Presumably, this is part of the reason why the franchise is now going the streaming series route.
Another likely consideration is that the upcoming Apple show won’t have AMC’s The Walking Dead to compete against. While AMC is making sure to get as much out of the IP as it can with a growing number of spinoffs like The Walking Dead: Dead City and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, those series focus on fan-favorite characters while a World War Z show offers viewers an entirely new zombie mythology to explore.
Brad Pitt’s collaborator on both Se7en and Fight Club, David Fincher, at one point was signed on to direct World War Z 2, but Paramount canceled the follow-up.
At this time, we don’t know who beyond Brad Pitt will be creatively involved in the show. However, considering David Fincher’s exclusive deal with Netflix, it would seem unlikely he’ll jump on board.
One major difference between the zombies of the Apple show and most portrayals of zombies is that — assuming they remain similar to the infected of the film — they are no slow, shambling things. The infected of the franchise are shockingly fast and swarm like insects to get to their prey.
Once we know more about the upcoming World War Z series, we’ll make sure you know.
