World War Z (film)

World War Z
Directed by Marc Forster
Produced by Brad Pitt
Ian Bryce
Screenplay by J. Michael Straczynski
Matthew Michael Carnahan
Based on World War Z by
Max Brooks
Starring Brad Pitt
Mireille Enos
James Badge Dale
Lucy Aharish
Julia Levy-Boeken
Music by Marco Beltrami
Cinematography Robert Richardson
Studio Plan B Entertainment
UTV Motion Pictures
Skydance Productions
GK Films
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) December 21, 2012 (2012-12-21)
Language English
Budget $125 million[1]

World War Z is an upcoming post-apocalyptic horror film based on the novel of the same name by Max Brooks. The film is directed by Marc Forster and stars Brad Pitt, with a script written by J. Michael Straczynski and Matthew Michael Carnahan. The film is scheduled to be released on December 21, 2012.

Contents

Cast

Production

Development

After a bidding war with Leonardo DiCaprio's production company Appian Way, Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment secured the screen rights to the novel in 2007.[10] The screenplay was written by Babylon 5 and Rising Stars creator J. Michael Straczynski, who identified the challenge in adapting the work as "creating a main character out of a book that reads as a UN Report on the zombie wars".[11] Marc Forster signed on to direct, and described the film as reminiscent of 1970s conspiracy thrillers like All the President's Men.[12] Straczynski, however, identified 2002 spy film The Bourne Identity as an appropriate comparison, and noted that the film will have a large international scope which maintains the political emphasis.[13]

When asked about his involvement with the film, Brooks stated that he had "zero control", but favored a role for Brad Pitt,[14] and expressed approval for Straczynski as screenwriter.[15][16] In an interview with Fangoria, Brooks said, "I can't give it away, but Straczynski found a way to tie it all together. The last draft I read was amazing."[17]

An early script was leaked onto the internet in 2008. Ain't It Cool News reviewed the script in March 2008, and said "This isn't just a good adaptation of a difficult book... it's a genre-defining piece of work that could well see us all arguing about whether or not a zombie movie qualifies as 'Best Picture' material".[18] The review also noted the film appears stylistically similar to Children of Men.[18] According to Ain't It Cool News, the film follows Gerry Lane as he travels the post-war world and interviews survivors of the zombie war who are "starting to wonder if survival is a victory of any kind." One of the first interviews is with Dr. Tsai, the first to encounter the zombies.[18]

Straczynski had hoped that the film would begin production by the start of 2009.[13] Forster, however, told IGN in March 2009 that the script was still in development and he was not sure if World War Z would be his next film.[19] Later in March, rumors surfaced that production offices were set up and the film was in early pre-production.[20] In June 2009, Marc Forster told an interviewer that the film would be delayed, stating that the film's script still needs a lot of development and is "still far from realization".[21]

In July 2009, Brooks revealed to Fangoria that the script is currently being re-written by Matthew Michael Carnahan. Brooks believes this "shows [the producer's] confidence in this project" because of the amount of money that was being invested in it.[22] Paramount Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures announced at the 2010 Comic-Con that Forster is set as director, and Brad Pitt has been confirmed to play the lead role.[23]

In March 2011, it was reported that Paramount was searching for co-financier, and would likely pull the plug on the adaptation without one.[1] The article also stated that "an eleventh-hour effort is being made to court frequent Paramount co-financier David Ellison." A week later, Deadline.com reported that "hot and heavy talks are going on with David Ellison's Skydance and as many as two other financiers."[24]

Pre-production

Pre-production began in April 2011 with Robert Richardson announced as the cinematographer.[25] In the same month it was reported that filming locations will include Pinewood Studios and London, England.[26] Also in April, Mireille Enos was cast as Brad Pitt’s wife and mother of their two children.[3]

In June 2011, James Badge Dale entered negotiations to join the film as an American soldier who tries to alert authorities that the zombie threat is real.[4] The following day it was reported that filming will begin in Malta in July 2011 and will encompass Valletta and The Three Cities.[27] A few days later Matthew Fox and Ed Harris entered talks while Julia Levy-Boeken was set to join the film.[6] The same day Lucy Aharish joined the cast as a young Palestinian woman.[5] It was also reported in June that filming will also take place in Glasgow, Scotland in August 2011; and also Falmouth, Cornwall. [28] Glasgow will double as Philadelphia, "with false shop fronts being constructed and American cars on the roads."[29] The city was reportedly chosen after "many months looking for the perfect city centre location to play an important part in the film."[28] Philadelphia was passed on due to "uncertainties about state tax credits for filmmakers."[30] Later in June, visual effects house Cinesite announced that it will work on “a significant amount of shots”.[31] At the end of the month New York Magazine reported that neither Matthew Fox nor Ed Harris would be starring in the film despite previous reports. Fox had a scheduling conflict stemming from his prior commitment to star in I, Alex Cross with Tyler Perry at Summit Entertainment.[32]

Filming

On a budget of $125 million,[1] World War Z began principal photography in July 2011 in Malta, with the first images of production being released a few days later.[2] Filming was set to move to Glasgow, Scotland in August with the production company looking to recruit 2,000 local extras for the shoot.[33] At least 3,000 people showed up at a casting call in Glasgow on July 9, hoping for the opportunity to appear in a scene set in a financial district in Philadelphia.[34] Some scenes are also to be shot in Falmouth, Cornwall.[35] Also in July 2011, Game of Thrones actor Elyes Gabel was cast as a character named Fassbach.[7]

In August 2011, Bryan Cranston entered negotiations to join the film in a "small but flashy" role.[8] Also in August, filming was set to take place along a road on the perimeter of the Grangemouth Refinery in Grangemouth, Scotland. The location was chosen for the length of the road which is crucial to the shot.[36] A few days later Paramount announced the film will be released on December 21, 2012.[37] Later in the same month, filming began in Glasgow. The location manager for the film said Glasgow had been chosen because of its architecture, wide roads and grid layout.[38] In October 2011, David Morse was cast as a "prisoner living in an abandoned jail."[9]

Filming in Budapest commenced on the evening of October 10, 2011.[39] That morning, the Hungarian Anti-Terrorism Unit raided the warehouse where guns had been delivered for use as filming props.[39] The 85 assault rifles, sniper rifles, and handguns had been flown into Budapest overnight on a private aircraft, but the film's producers had failed to clear the delivery with Hungarian authorities, and while the import documentation indicated that the weapons had been disabled, all were found to be fully functional.[39][40]

References

  1. ^ a b c Brodesser-Akner, Claude (March 21, 2011). "Brad Pitt’s World War Z Could Be (Un)Dead If Paramount Can’t Find a Partner". New York. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/03/world_war_z_brad_pitt.html. Retrieved July 6, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Little Horn, Georgina (2011-07-05). "It's too loud, Daddy! Brad Pitt's boys cover their ears during explosive visit to set of his new film World War Z". The Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2010235/Brad-Pitts-boys-cover-ears-explosive-visit-set-new-film-World-War-Z.html. Retrieved 2011-07-05. 
  3. ^ a b Kit, Borys (April 25, 2011). "'The Killing' Star in Talks to Play Brad Pitt's Wife in 'World War Z' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/killing-star-talks-play-brad-181920?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+THRComicCon+%28The+Hollywood+Reporter+-+Heat+Vision%29. Retrieved June 21, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b "Brangelina land in Malta this afternoon". Variety. 2011-06-11. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.showblitz.com/2011/06/james-badge-dale-goes-to-world-war-z.html. Retrieved 2011-06-10. 
  5. ^ a b Swissa, Eran (14 June 2011). "נבחרת הזומבים: לוסי אהריש לוהקה לסרט החדש של בראד פיט [Zombie Dream Team: Lucy Aharish cast in new Brad Pitt film]" (in Hebrew). Nrg Maariv. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.nrg.co.il/online/47/ART2/250/368.html?hp=47&cat=308&loc=12. Retrieved 27 June 2011. "לוסי אהריש, מגישת הלייט-נייט של הערוץ הראשון, "נבחרת החלומות", מצטרפת אל הקאסט. על-פי גורמים המעורבים בפרטים אהריש נבחנה לפני כשבועיים לתפקיד של אשה פלסטינית צעירה. הקלטות הועברו להפקה ובתחילת השבוע קיבלה אהריש תשובה חיובית." 
  6. ^ a b Fleming, Mike (June 14, 2011). "Matthew Fox, Ed Harris In 'World War Z' Talks". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/matthew-fox-ed-harris-in-world-war-z-talks/. Retrieved June 23 2011. 
  7. ^ a b Miller, Daniel (2011-07-22). "'Game of Thrones' Actor Cast in Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/game-thrones-world-war-z-214456. Retrieved 2011-07-27. 
  8. ^ a b Miller, Daniel (2011-08-05). "Bryan Cranston in Talks to Join 'World War Z' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bryan-cranston-talks-join-world-219952. Retrieved 2011-08-06. 
  9. ^ a b "David Morse To Zombie Pic ‘World War Z’". Deadline.com. 2011-10-06. Archived from the original on 2011-10-10. http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/david-morse-joins-world-war-z/. Retrieved 2011-10-09. 
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  11. ^ Amaya, Erik (November 19, 2008). "J. Michael Straczynski: Origin of a Writer". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18888. Retrieved November 20, 2008. 
  12. ^ Fleming, Michael; Tatiana Siegel (November 13, 2008). "Forster joins in Paramount's 'War'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995840.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved November 14, 2008. 
  13. ^ a b Marshall, Rick (December 3, 2008). "J. Michael Straczynski On ‘World War Z’: ‘The Scale Of What We’re Doing Here Is Phenomenal’". MTV Movie Blog. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/12/03/j-michael-straczynski-on-world-war-z-the-scale-of-what-were-doing-here-is-phenomenal/. Retrieved December 3, 2008. 
  14. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Max Brooks on World War Z". Eat My Brains!. October 20, 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.eatmybrains.com/showfeature.php?id=55. Retrieved April 26, 2008. 
  15. ^ Ullrich, Chris (June 29, 2008). "WWC Interview: 'World War Z' Writer Max Brooks". Comic Mix. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/06/29/wwc-interview-world-war-z-writer-max-brooks/. Retrieved September 19, 2008. 
  16. ^ "Max Brooks Talks World War Z Flick". FilmBuff Newsreel. June 1, 2008. Archived from the original on February 08, 2009. http://wayback.archive.org/web/20090208004226/http://www.filmbuffonline.com/2008/06/max-brooks-talks-world-war-z-flick.html. Retrieved September 19, 2008. 
  17. ^ Timpone, Tony (November 19, 2008). "Max Brooks talks WORLD WAR Z movie". Fangoria. Archived from the original on June 08, 2009. http://wayback.archive.org/web/20090608085937/http://www.fangoriaonline.com/home/news/9-film-news/597-max-brooks-talks-world-war-z-movie.html. Retrieved November 21, 2008. 
  18. ^ a b c Moriarty (March 27, 2008). "Moriarty’s One Thing I Love Today! JMS’s WORLD WAR Z Script!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36168. Retrieved 2009-04-23. 
  19. ^ Orlando Parfitt (March 6, 2009). "World War Z Update". IGN. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://movies.ign.com/articles/959/959980p1.html. Retrieved 2009-04-15. 
  20. ^ Ryan Rotten (March 20, 2009). "The Undead Rule at Paramount". ShockTillYouDrop.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=9975. Retrieved 2009-04-15. 
  21. ^ Garth Franklin (June 16, 2009). ""World War Z" Feature Hits A Delay?". Dark Horizons. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/14412/-world-war-z-feature-hits-a-delay-. Retrieved 2009-06-15. 
  22. ^ Michael Gingold (July 16, 2009). "New Screenwriter Takes On WORLD WAR Z". Fangoria. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://fangoria.com/home/news/9-film-news/3240-new-screenwriter-takes-on-world-war-z.html. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  23. ^ Marshall, Rick (July 22, 2010). "EXCLUSIVE: Brad Pitt To Star In 'World War Z,' Paramount Options 'Zombie Survival Guide' And 'Recorded Attacks'". MTV. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/07/21/brad-pitt-to-star-in-world-war-z-paramount-options-zombie-survival-guide-recorded-attacks/. Retrieved August 5, 2010. 
  24. ^ Fleming, Mike (March 29, 2011). "'World War Z' With Brad Pitt And Marc Forster Regroups; Can It Beat Imminent Zombie Pic Infestation?". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/world-war-z-with-brad-pitt-and-marc-forster-regroups-can-it-beat-imminent-zombie-pic-infestation/. Retrieved July 7, 2011. 
  25. ^ Connelly, Brendon (April 12, 2011). "SCOOP: World War Z Going Ahead, Cinematographer Prepping At Studio Right Now". BleedingCool.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/04/12/scoop-world-war-z-going-ahead-cinematographer-prepping-at-studio-right-now/. Retrieved June 19, 2011. 
  26. ^ Johnston, Rich (April 4, 2011). "World War Z To Film In London This Year". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/04/02/world-war-z-to-film-in-london-this-year/. Retrieved April 6, 2011. 
  27. ^ "Brangelina land in Malta this afternoon". Malta Today. June 11, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/brangelina-land-in-malta-this-afternoon. Retrieved June, 19 2011. 
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  29. ^ Crook, Lauren (June 12, 2011). "Big screen heart-throb Brad Pitt will jet into Scotland to film zombie epic". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sunday-mail/2011/06/12/big-screen-heart-throb-brad-pitt-will-jet-into-scotland-to-film-zombie-epic-86908-23196413/. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
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  31. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (June 28, 2011). "Cinesite to do VFX for World War Z". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/cinesite-to-do-vfx-for-world-war-z/5029238.article. Retrieved June 28, 2011. 
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  39. ^ a b c "Counter-terrorism police seize World War Z machine guns". News.com.au. October 11, 2011. http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/counter-terrorism-police-seize-machine-guns-from-world-war-z-set/story-e6frfmvr-1226163591484. Retrieved 11 October 2011. 
  40. ^ Johnson, Zach (October 10, 2011). "SWAT Team Raids Brad Pitt's World War Z Set". US Weekly. http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/swat-team-raids-brad-pitts-world-war-z-set-20111010. Retrieved 11 October 2011. 

External links

Films directed by Marc Forster
2000s
2010s