David Fincher Enlisted To Direct ‘World War Z 2’

Variety has revealed that David Fincher is nearly set to direct World War Z 2 thanks to positive negotiations between him and the studio’s new chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos, according to sources close to the project. The film will reunite Fincher with his Seven and Fight Club star, Brad Pitt.

It is expected that the project will be greenlit shortly with production beginning as early as the first quarter of 2018.

Fincher has been rumored to be considering the project since he first met with Skydance Media and Pitt last summer. After the director of the first World War Z movie, Marc Foster, didn’t wish to return for the sequel, J.A. Bayona was brought on board but ultimately exited the project to helm Jurassic World 2.

The major hold-up for Fincher signing onto the project has been due to budget reasons. Fincher was said to be interested in telling a more human story, focusing the film on a man and his family navigating the world during the zombie apocalypse for less than the $190 million dollar original. But Paramount chief Brad Grey was reportedly unwilling to scale things back for the sequel to the 2013 hit blockbuster – which grossed $540 million at the global box office.

Although the first film managed a hefty take financially, it barely broke even for the Paramount and the studio was reported to be taking some extra time to further develop the script which was originally written by Steven Knight (Burnt).

Pitt is attached to once again star and produce the picture along with Plan B’s Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner as well as Skydance’s David Ellison.

World War Z 2 does not currently have a release date. Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for the latest news on World War Z 2 as we learn it.

Source: Variety