“World War Z” sequel confirmed: Brad Pitt returns as Gerry Lane

The wait is over: more than a decade later, “World War Z” is finally getting a sequel. According to Deadline, Paramount has closed the deal with Brad Pitt, who will return as Gerry Lane, the former UN investigator who fought the global zombie pandemic in the original film.

The sequel will be directed by Edward Berger, the Oscar winner for “All Quiet on the Western Front” and director of “Conclave”. The screenplay is written by Dennis Kelly, creator of the cult series “Utopia” and screenwriter of “Black Sea”. Production will be handled by Plan B Entertainment, Pitt’s company, with Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner as producers, while Berger will serve as executive producer.

The idea for the sequel was born during the filming of “The Riders” (A24), the latest project on which Pitt and Berger collaborated. Story details are being kept secret, and there is still no official premiere date or confirmed title.

The project is a priority for Paramount’s new leaders, Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, following the studio’s merger with Skydance.

The original “World War Z” (2013), loosely based on Max Brooks’ novel, earned more than $540 million worldwide and remains the highest-grossing zombie film of all time. A sequel was attempted for years — first with director J.A. Bayona, then with David Fincher and Pitt — but Fincher’s version was halted in 2019 over budget issues.

Source: Deadline