Brad Pitt Returns for a World War Z Sequel

September 19, 2026

Brad Pitt returns for a new World War Z sequel

Brad Pitt is set to reprise his role in a new World War Z film, 13 years after the original zombie thriller reached more than $540 million at the worldwide box office. Paramount Pictures has confirmed the sequel, with Edward Berger attached to direct.

Berger, whose recent work includes All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave, will reunite with Pitt after directing the actor in the upcoming The Riders, which has recently completed filming. Pitt reportedly raised the idea of another World War Z story while the pair were working together. Deadline reports that Berger agreed to take on the project by the end of production, with Paramount finalising deals with both talents in recent weeks.

What we know about the sequel

Paramount has not revealed the sequel’s plot, title or other story details. The first World War Z film was adapted from Max Brooks’ 2006 novel of the same name, although the movie’s continuation has taken a long and difficult path to the screen.

A follow-up was planned after the original film’s commercial success and was once assigned a 2017 release date. It never reached production, becoming caught in development delays before being cancelled. Paramount later confirmed at CinemaCon in April that another sequel was being developed, although no further creative information was provided at that time.

The studio is reportedly prioritising World War Z alongside Top Gun and Star Trek as it builds its big-screen franchise slate. Paramount’s earlier announcement did not include a production timetable or release date.

A cautious return for zombie cinema

The revival arrives during a strong year for horror at the box office, with films including Backrooms and Obsession delivering encouraging results. That said, zombie releases remain unpredictable: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple reportedly lost money, while the new Resident Evil film is expected to benefit from positive reviews and a strong box-office performance.

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