World War Z 2 Rises from Development Hell: Paramount-Skydance Merger Brings Hope for Long-Awaited Sequel
A New Hope for the Zombie Apocalypse
Fans of World War Z recently received exciting news as the Brad Pitt zombie action movie is finally getting a sequel after 12 years of waiting. Following the $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance, CEO David Ellison confirmed that World War Z is among the studio’s top priorities, alongside major franchises like Top Gun and Star Trek.
A History of Success and Setbacks
Despite modest reviews, the original World War Z was a massive success, grossing over $540 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $190 million. It currently holds the title of highest-grossing zombie movie of all time.
The road to the sequel has been rocky, with multiple pre-production roadblocks. The project went through several writers and directors, including Juan Antonio Bayona, who eventually left to direct a Jurassic World sequel.
Current Development Status
With Skydance planning to release up to 20 films a year, a return to Pitt’s zombie apocalypse looks closer than ever. However, there are challenges to overcome. One major concern is China’s ban on zombie and ghost movies. As a crucial global market with significant influence in modern Hollywood, Paramount might have reservations about making such a large investment without access to Chinese audiences.
Looking to the Future
The source material, Max Brooks’ bestselling novel, works as a near-journalistic anthology covering different elements of a zombie outbreak, providing plenty of potential stories to tell within the World War Z universe. While the announcement has generated excitement, Paramount-Skydance has yet to reveal more details about World War Z 2, including its expected release window.
During a press conference following the merger, co-film chief Josh Greenstein affirmed that following up Pitt’s blockbuster was a priority for the studio. While a formal greenlight is still pending, the newly combined company offers the brightest glimmer of hope in years for the post-apocalyptic world.
