More than a decade after World War Z first arrived in cinemas, its long-awaited sequel is finally moving forward with Brad Pitt officially returning. Paramount is developing the new film with Pitt set to reprise his role from the 2013 zombie blockbuster, while Conclave and All Quiet on the Western Front filmmaker Edward Berger has signed on to direct. Dennis Kelly is writing the screenplay, although details about the story are currently being kept under wraps.

Pitt will also produce through Plan B alongside Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, with Berger serving as an executive producer.

What Do We Know About World War Z 2?

There is no release date or wider cast confirmed for World War Z 2 yet, but Pitt’s return and Berger’s involvement mark the biggest progress on the sequel in years. The original film, loosely based on Max Brooks’ 2006 novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, starred Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former United Nations employee trying to stop the spread of a global zombie pandemic. It went on to earn more than $540 million worldwide.

Berger has also recently worked with Pitt on The Riders for A24, which has completed filming and is currently in post-production.

Why Has World War Z 2 Taken So Long?

A sequel has been discussed for years, with several attempts failing to reach production. One of the most high-profile versions would have reunited Pitt with director David Fincher, but that project was ultimately scrapped in 2019. Paramount confirmed earlier this year that another sequel was back in active development, and Pitt and Berger are now officially attached.

There is still plenty we do not know, including whether other characters from the first film will return, when filming could begin and exactly where Gerry Lane’s story will go next.

For CultureCues, this one has a bit of a personal connection too, as our editor Nikki Murray worked as a production assistant on World War Z when the original film was shooting in Glasgow. Seeing a sequel finally moving forward more than a decade later is therefore a little surreal. The first film remains such an entertaining zombie blockbuster, and Edward Berger is a very strong choice to take on the follow-up. After all the abandoned versions over the years, we are just glad this one finally looks like it might make it to the screen. Better late than undead.

World War Z 2 is in development at Paramount, with Brad Pitt returning and Edward Berger directing.

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