World War Z Surges on Streaming Ahead of Potential Sequel

Brad Pitt holds significant star power, though recent events have tested that reputation. Last year brought a massive hit with F1, but the survival thriller Heart of the Beast opened to a modest $20 million. Conditions are shifting because a sequel to one of Pitt’s biggest movies, World War Z, is currently in development. This upcoming project is driving a major streaming surge for the original film, which is topping Paramount+ charts worldwide according to FlixPatrol.

Viewers familiar with World War Z recognize it as a standout entry in the zombie genre. The narrative follows former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane as he and his family face a sudden zombie onslaught. While trying to stay ahead of the living dead, Gerry searches for a way to save humanity from the plague transforming people into zombies. Thirteen years after its debut, the movie remains memorable due to its frantic pace, its distinct take on the tried-and-true zombie subgenre, and its lengthy production process.

‘World War Z’ underwent multiple changes during production

World War Z draws inspiration from Max Brooks’s 2006 novel of the same name, which presented a unique adaptation challenge. Most of the book relies on United Nations reports, meaning it lacks a traditional lead character to follow. J. Michael Straczynski from Babylon 5 created Gerry Lane to give the story a clear focus, and Gerry’s attempts to protect his family and find a cure keep audiences invested. Though Brooks approved of that approach, post-production led Damon Lindelof from Lanterns and Drew Goddard from The Cabin in the Woods to rewrite the final act. Those changes contributed to a massive production budget of $190 million, which included extensive reshoots.

Fortunately, the film became a major box-office hit. It grossed $540 million worldwide, easily covering the cost of the reshoots. It also earned a solid critical reception thanks to Pitt’s performance and the unique way it portrays zombies. When horror fans revisit the movie today, the troubled writing history and Paramount spending are invisible on screen. Viewers simply experience some of the most terrifying zombies ever filmed and a breakneck race against time.

Brad Pitt handpicked the director for the ‘World War Z’ sequel

The success of World War Z eventually sparked discussions about a sequel, but it took years for the project to materialize. Directors like J.A. Bayona from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and David Fincher from Fight Club were approached at various points. The project finally moved forward with Brad Pitt returning as Gerry Lane and Edward Berger directing. Deadline reported that Pitt pitched Berger on the sequel while the two were collaborating on The Riders.

World War Z is not the only major property Pitt is revisiting. Later this year, he reprises his role as Cliff Booth in Netflix’s The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, which picks up where Once Upon a Time in Hollywood left off and reunites him with David Fincher. While waiting for these new releases, fans continue to revisit the original zombie thriller to see why it endures.

Source: Polygon