The long in development sequel to World War Z has hit a snag. Paramount Pictures has pulled the plug on the follow-up.
The sequel, which was to be directed by David Fincher, was gearing up to start shooting sometime this summer in Atlanta, with some reports saying a spring start was also possible. Outlets are saying that budgetary issues came to a head, but it’s unclear how or how long those issues have been brewing. Also unclear is whether the project will go back into development or if it is being shelved indefinitely.
Problems have plagued the sequel to the 2013 film for quite some time now. A sequel was announced shortly after the release of the first film, which grossed $540 million worldwide. That same year, J.A. Bayona came on board as director, and in 2015 Paramount announced a release date of 2017. By 2016, Bayona was gone and a nearly yearlong, on- and off-again negotiation with Fincher began. Once Fincher was secured in February 2017, execs energized at the prospect of a reuniting of him & Brad Pitt, who worked together on Seven, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The studio then had to watch the project move in fits and starts and even push shooting due to various scheduling and script development issues.
Brad Pitt, nor his production company Plan B, has commented on the status of the sequel and Fincher has remained mum since the news broke as well.
