Last May, Paramount issued a June 9, 2017summer releasedate for the languishing action sequelWorld War Z 2, which has been in various stages of development shortly after the original movie debuted in 2013. A number of filmmakers have come and gone, but with nearly 10 months until the planned release date, it seems the studio may have finally found a director. While nothing is set in stone yet,David Fincheris reportedly in talks with the studio to reunite with his longtime collaboratorBrad Pitt.
Varietyreports thatBrad Pittmet with a “handful” of directors a few months ago, but the actor/producer is said to be “zeroing in” onDavid Fincher. The actor and filmmaker have worked together three times before, on 1995’sSe7en, 1999’sFight Cluband 2008’sThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The site reports thatBrad PittandDavid Finchermet about thiszombie sequeltwo weeks ago, and while the director was initially “lukewarm” to the prospect, negotiations are now much more far along.
Steven Knight, a writer best known forEastern Promises,Closed CircuitandLocke, came aboard to write the screenplay last December. The writer revealed earlier this year that the sequel will represent a “clean slate” that will be “completely different” from the first movie. No plot details have been given at this time, and it isn’t known how closely it will stick to theoriginal bookwritten byMax Brooks.
While no new release date was given, Paramount has long been expected to push the sequel out of its August 08, 2025 date, after they lost directorJ.A. Bayona. This new report claims the producers are hoping to start filming in early 2017. If the production moves ahead on time, it’s possible the studio could be eyeing either a late 2017 date over the holiday season, or perhaps a summer 2018 date.
David Fincherhasn’t directed a movie since 2014’sGone Girl, but he has been keeping plenty busy on the small screen. We reported shortly after the release ofGone Girlthat the filmmaker would be directing every episode of HBO’s new seriesUtopia, which the filmmaker said would keep him busy throughout all of 2015. He also recently directed the pilot episode of Netflix’sMindhunter, which starsJonathan Groff. The director almost teamed up withBrad Pitton20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but that never materialized. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more onWorld War Z 2as soon as more details surface.
