Brad Pitt back in action; Edward Berger takes helm of World War Z sequel

Hollywood star Brad Pitt is set to reprise his role as former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane in the long‑awaited sequel to the 2013 zombie thriller “World War Z.” The new film, being developed by Paramount Pictures, will be directed by award‑winning filmmaker Edward Berger, who recently earned an Academy Award for his 2022 war drama “All Quiet on the Western Front” and has also helmed the 2024 papal thriller “Conclave.” Berger will also serve as an executive producer on the project.

The screenplay will be written by British writer Dennis Kelly, known for his work on “The Riders,” a psychological thriller based on Tim Winton’s novel that also marks the second collaboration between Pitt and Berger. Production will be handled by Plan B Entertainment, with Pitt co‑producing alongside Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner.

Details about the plot remain tightly guarded, but the film is expected to follow Lane as he once again confronts a rapidly spreading zombie pandemic that threatens global stability. The original 2013 film, directed by Marc Forster and based on Max Brooks’ 2006 novel “World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War,” saw Pitt travel around the world in a race against time to uncover the outbreak’s origins and stop it. That film grossed over USD 540 million worldwide and became the highest‑grossing zombie movie at the time.

The sequel’s development has been protracted. David Fincher was previously attached to direct a version that was ultimately scrapped in 2019. In April, Paramount announced that a new “World War Z” film was in development, initially without naming a director or cast. Now, with Berger at the helm and Pitt returning, the project is moving forward.

Brad Pitt’s recent work includes the Formula One biopic “F1: The Movie,” where he played veteran driver Sonny Hayes, and the survival thriller “Heart of the Beast” directed by David Ayer. He is also set to star in “The Further Mis‑Adventures of Cliff Boot,” a sequel in which he reprises his Oscar‑winning role as stuntman Cliff Boot.