Brad Pitt is set to return to the zombie apocalypse in a long-awaited sequel to World War Z, with Edward Berger attached to direct.
Paramount has closed a deal with Pitt to reprise his role from the 2013 film, while Berger will direct the sequel. Dennis Kelly is writing the screenplay, with Pitt producing alongside Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner through Plan B Entertainment. Berger will also executive produce.
Plot details are currently under wraps. The original World War Z starred Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former United Nations investigator racing to contain a global zombie outbreak. Released in 2013, the film earned more than US$540 million worldwide.
The sequel has been in development for more than a decade. Pitt had previously pursued David Fincher to direct, but the project stalled after Fincher departed amid budget concerns.
The project gained momentum again last year after Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg took over as co-chairs of Paramount Pictures. The studio identified the sequel as a priority, with the project also receiving support from Skydance founder David Ellison.
Berger’s involvement came after he and Pitt worked together on The Riders, an upcoming A24 and Scott Free film. According to Deadline, Pitt began discussing the World War Z sequel with Berger during production, eventually leading to Berger signing on as director.
The sequel adds another collaboration to Pitt and Paramount’s current slate. Pitt’s survival thriller Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer, is also set to arrive soon, while he will later reprise his Once Upon a Time in Hollywood character, Cliff Booth, for Netflix.
